Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3 and Ultra 3:More health, better mobile communication
Apple has updated all three Watch models in one go – and added at least one special function to each series.
(Image: Apple)
As part of the iPhone event on September 9, Apple also unveiled new watches. While the Watch Series 11 shines with a new mobile communications standard and blood pressure measurement, the Ultra 3 gets more display space and satellite emergency calls. The entry-level SE 3 model is also being significantly upgraded with long-awaited functions, above all the always-on display.
Apple Watch Series 11: 5G and blood pressure detection
The Apple Watch Series 11 is available in aluminum in a new space gray as well as in diamond black, rose gold, and silver, and also in polished titanium in natural, gold, and slate. Otherwise, it looks the same as its predecessor and is available with an edge length of 42 or 46 millimeters. However, the Ion-X glass of the aluminum version is said to be twice as scratch-resistant and therefore significantly more robust. The titanium models retain the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
If you opt for a mobile phone variant, it now supports the 5G standard. All predecessors previously used 4G LTE radio modems.
The Series 11 also introduces the long-awaited blood pressure measurement to the Apple Watch. This should help to detect diseases such as high blood pressure (hypertension). However, it does not replace a blood pressure monitor. This is because the Watch does not show exact systolic and diastolic values but only provides trends and changes over a longer period of time. The function will be available in 150 countries as soon as the FDA has given its approval. High blood pressure notifications will also be available on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 with watchOS 26.
Apple claims to have increased the battery life of the Series 11: whereas its predecessors previously had a battery life of 18 hours, Apple now states a battery life of 24 hours for the Series 11. A quick-charging function is designed to charge the battery in 15 minutes so that the watch can be used for 8 hours.
Apple Watch SE 3: always-on display, double tap, fast charging
Apple has significantly upgraded the third-generation SE with the S10 chip from the Series 10, which not only provides more speed but also allows some Siri commands to be executed directly on the watch without a network connection (on-device Siri). It also improves the voice quality of the microphones in phone calls or FaceTime calls via voice isolation. The chip also adds live translations and the double-tap gesture that Apple introduced with the Series 9 and Ultra 2. What's more, the SE can now charge quickly.
The SE also has an always-on display and can therefore permanently show the time. Another new feature is a speaker that plays music and podcasts. The mobile version of the SE 3 also supports 5G mobile communications, just like the Series 11.
Videos by heise
And the SE 3 inherits another function from the more expensive models: temperature measurement. However, other health functions, such as the 1-channel ECG or the pulse oximeter, are still missing from the most affordable Apple Watch.
Ultra 3: Better readability, satellite radio
After the top model only received an additional fresh case color last year, the Ultra 3 has some real new features. On the one hand, Apple has increased the visible display area and slimmed down the edge of the screen by 24 percent. In addition, the display should now also be easier to read from the side and appear brighter. Apple is now using an LTPO3 OLED, which was introduced in the Series 10 last year. The screen offers a higher refresh rate and makes it possible to imitate the movement of the second hand on certain watch faces.
Like the Series 11, the Ultra 3 supports mobile connections via 5G. It also supports satellite communication for the first time. Like the iPhone 14 and newer, you can use it to make emergency calls even if you don't have a mobile network. It can also send text messages and has a built-in Find My function for locating you. With just a few taps, you can send text messages to emergency services or share your location. The battery life is said to be 42 hours. In power-saving mode, it is up to 72 hours. The Ultra 3 also has a quick-charging function that fills the battery to the point where the watch lasts for 12 hours in a quarter of an hour.
Prices and availability
Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3 will go on sale on September 19. They will be available to order from September 9. The Series 11 without cellular service with an aluminum case costs from 449 euros. With mobile communications, the minimum price is 569 euros. There is also a version with a titanium case, which costs at least 799 euros. The SE 3 has risen slightly in price and is now available from 269 euros. The Ultra 3 remains unchanged at 899 euros.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
(hze)
