A new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reveals that the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3 should feature satellite connectivity and a new 5G modem.
Gurman writes that Apple plans to pack a new MediaTek modem enabling 5G wireless service in its high-end smartwatch. This new modem is supposed to support Red Cap, which is a low-power version of 5G made specifically for wearables.
Current cellular-capable Apple Watches feature an Intel modem operating on 4G LTE, despite iPhones having 5G since at least 2020 on the iPhone 12. It would also mark the last of Apple's products to feature any Intel components.
Presumably, Apple will eventually make a wearable tailored version of its new C1 modem that was introduced with the iPhone 16e.
Satellite connectivity
As for satellite connectivity, the new support would enable you to send texts when out of range of cellular or Wi-Fi networks.
Apple introduced Emergency SOS on the iPhone 14 enabling people in danger to text via satellites. Last year, the feature was expanded in iOS 18 letting you text via satellite at any time.
This same level of connection is supposed to be featured on the next Watch Ultra.
AI camera and release
The rest of Gurman's report was about Apple working on putting an Ai-enhanced camera in the next Apple Watches. Which put us in mind of the Wristcam watch band that came out for Apple Watches in 2021. We're pretty sure whatever camera Apple comes up with is more integrated into the watch body itself.
Assuming Apple gets the camera ready in time, we'll see the upgraded and more connected Apple Watch Ultra 3 launch in September alongside the overhauled iPhone 17 lineup.
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