Apple Watch Ultra 3 Will Support Texting via Satellite

[MacRumors]

The next-generation Apple Watch Ultra is set to gain satellite connectivity, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple first introduced satellite connectivity for off-grid texting with the iPhone 14, and the feature has been included in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, but no Apple Watch to date.

Apple's 2025 Apple Watch Ultra will be able to connect to a satellite network like the iPhone, allowing users to send texts via satellite when cellular networks and Wi-Fi are unavailable. When satellite connectivity first launched, it was limited to emergency text messages, but in iOS 18, Apple expanded it to allow users to send texts to anyone.

Apple is hoping that the satellite feature will encourage Apple Watch owners to update to a new Apple Watch Ultra, with the third-generation model set to come out in September 2025. Satellite connectivity would also allow Apple to better compete with companies like Garmin that manufacture dedicated satellite hardware for use in off-grid emergencies.

The Apple Watch Ultra is aimed at hikers, scuba divers, and adventurers, and satellite connectivity for the device would add another layer of safety for activities that are not near cellular towers.

As of right now, Apple still does not charge for satellite connectivity, and there is no word yet on what the company might charge. All iPhones come with two years of connectivity for free, and that will also likely be the case for the Apple Watch Ultra.

Apple is also planning to stop using Intel cellular modems in future Apple Watch models, instead transitioning to technology from MediaTek. MediaTek's modem chip adds support or 5G RedCap, a 5G service that's designed for connected devices and wearables that don't need standard 5G speeds. The current cellular Apple Watch models still use 4G LTE, even though Apple has been using 5G in iPhones for several years.

Article Link: Apple Watch Ultra 3 Will Support Texting via Satellite

 

[jwm]

Yeah, but will it have a blood oxygen sensor?

 

[Dog Bone Malone]

It'll need more than satellite calling for me to upgrade from my AWU2. Early days yet though. A slightly bigger screen and baddery wouldn't go a miss.

 

[jz0309]

More health sensors plus the return of blood oxygen should have a way higher priority, well for me that is.
Satellite texting, again for me, is not a reason to get an Ultra 3

 

[daniesy]

A feature restricted to a handful of countries. Show we be glad?

 

[TechnoMonk]

I just got my S6 replaced under AC+ after 4 years of use. Bring on the Ultra3, in no rush to upgrade anytime soon. My next AW will be an ultra. More battery and more sensors would be nice.

 

[Howard2k]

Yeah, but will it have a blood oxygen sensor?

Yes, of course.

Unless you're in the US, then it's iffy.

 

[Excited4NuProduct]

Wow. Just wow. I’m stunned by this radical jump in technological development. Christmas has come early indeed.

 

[CharlesShaw]

The Ultra needs to sense that someone nearby is about to begin talking about their Garmin watch, providing the wearer with enough time to insert their AirPods.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

I have been convinced that I will keep my 2023 Ultra 2 at least 4 years before upgrading, but if the Ultra 3 has Blood O2 and Satellite connectivity, it will be an immediate buy for me.

I use my Blood O2 quite often at altitude and the addition of satellite connectivity would be a huge boon for my use scenarios.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

It's hilarious that Apple is trying to push people to upgrade their hardware via a crummy implementation of a feature that carriers/SpaceX are adding a better version of to existing cellular devices at no added cost.

Pretty sure Apple knew what was happening and they just pushed this through anyways.

 

[gsmornot]

I still have my Ultra 1, Blood Oxygen is a little low today at 96% but good to know. I really like that black combo though. I can see myself being ready next year. Add me to the list of people that hopes the patent dispute is put to rest.

 

[Rychiar]

Am i the only one who thought the ultra always had satellite? Lol

 

[macmedal]

I never find the blood oxygen that accurate so hardly use it. Satellite connectivity or blood pressure would be useful.

 

[Dr Kevorkian94]

I think this is a great feature but I really don't think anyone is going so far into the wilderness/place without cell service with just an AW. Especially since you need your iPhone for most of the functions. I understand it's an emergency feature but I dot think it will push most to upgrade, battery or some other health feature will really be the big thing that pushes people.

 

[TechWhisperer]

The Ultra needs to sense that someone nearby is about to begin talking about their Garmin watch, providing the wearer with enough time to insert their AirPods.

Yeah and simultaneously blast the siren with pinpoint accuracy at 150dB towards the Garmin wearer.

 

[No5tromo]

Can't support on-screen keyboard on the SE but it can support satellite texting on the Ultra. Makes sense.

 

[Rafagon]

Since they've decided to give themselves 2 years this cycle, they better have a plethora of new and exciting features in the AWU3.

 

[paradox00]

It's hilarious that Apple is trying to push people to upgrade their hardware via a crummy implementation of a feature that carriers/SpaceX are adding a better version of to existing cellular devices at no added cost.

Pretty sure Apple knew what was happening and they just pushed this through anyways.

It’s hilarious to believe the no extra cost bit. From Apple or the carriers. That’s just a temporary thing. Satellites aren’t free.

The carrier implementation implementation is extremely limited right now (spacex just launched the first cellular capable sats), while Apple’s solution is already in two generations of phones and can still use the carrier options when they become widely available. It’s obvious why they choose not to wait (it helps them sell phones, while waiting doesn’t).

Apple’s emergency messaging is probably going to be more useful than a 911 call over satellite if you’re off the beaten path. I haven’t heard where the carriers are going to direct 911 calls originating in the backcountry. Standard emergency dispatch isn’t that well equipped to handle those.

 

[cdsapplefan]

Yeah, but will it have a blood oxygen sensor?

Not until Masimo’s patents expire in 2-3 years or Masimo makes a deal with Apple 🍎

 

[iHeading]

More health sensors plus the return of blood oxygen should have a way higher priority, well for me that is.
Satellite texting, again for me, is not a reason to get an Ultra 3

You can always buy a pre ban watch if u need oxygen that much.. I personally prefer satellite functionality on an ultra watch than oxygen.. u can get pulse oximeters in all shapes and forms.. not so a super compact satellite communicator and even less so one with good battery life..

 

[iHeading]

Since they've decided to give themselves 2 years this cycle, they better have a plethora of new and exciting features in the AWU3.

I don’t know you don’t strike me as really making use of all the health and outdoors features to need an ultra.. 😂

 

[jz0309]

You can always buy a pre ban watch if u need oxygen that much.. I personally prefer satellite functionality on an ultra watch than oxygen.. u can get pulse oximeters in all shapes and forms.. not so a super compact satellite communicator and even less so one with good battery life..

I actually have a launch day U2, so I'm good re SpO2, but, unless that feature is back, I will not upgrade.

 

[iHeading]

I think this is a great feature but I really don't think anyone is going so far into the wilderness/place without cell service with just an AW. Especially since you need your iPhone for most of the functions. I understand it's an emergency feature but I dot think it will push most to upgrade, battery or some other health feature will really be the big thing that pushes people.

I do.. and know MANY MANY others that do! Ultra isn’t designed for the average user.. and that’s were people don’t understand.. regular smart watch users want to force it to be what they want when there’s another watch line for that..

 

[Neodym]

I do.. and know MANY MANY others that do! Ultra isn’t designed for the average user.. and that’s were people don’t understand.. regular smart watch users want to force it to be what they want when there’s another watch line for that..

Yet average users still like the Ultra for e.g. battery time and a somewhat different look from the pebble-like original Apple Watch. For those things there still is no alternative available in the Apple portfolio.

Waiting for a further portfolio diversification with e.g. an Apple Watch Air (less sensors, half as thick as the 10, while still on the same battery run time as a normal Apple Watch). And once that is iterated over the years to a sleeve-like device, I might leave the Ultra line behind.