How the Apple Watch Series 11 Stacks Up Against the Ultra 3

In 2025, Apple chose to Update your three Apple Watch models together. It is rarer than you think. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 was released in 2023, and the SE 2 was updated for the last time in 2022. This year, series 11 and the Ultra 3 are both at the same time, and they share a lot of interns. But they are always quite distinct. One is a SmartWatch of $ 399 which is the perfect Apple watch for most users, while the other costs the double, at $ 799. But, it offers the largest screen, the largest battery life, the most robust exterior and the most precise GPS of any Apple watch. What is right for you?

Display and design

Apple Watch Series 11.
Credit: Apple

The Apple Watch Series 11 is available in two sizes, 42 mm and 46 mm, while the Ultra 3 watch is available in a single size, 49 mm. The case of the series 11 is made of default aluminum, but there is also an option to obtain a titanium case (from $ 699, quite close to Ultra 3). The Ultra 3 watch only comes in titanium.

Ultra 3, however, is distinct. The 11 series has a thin profile, a light design and a curved glass. The Ultra 3 has a flat table, a large screen and a robust titanium body, with an additional projection to protect the digital crown. It looks a lot like the smart watch of an adventurer.

Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Credit: Apple

They both share the same basic screen specifications, but the Ultra 3 watch screen can become much brighter. These are both OLED screens with LTPO3 wide angle, and so as not to minimize the 11 series, Apple says that it is twice as much stripes resistant to series 10.

However, the display of the Ultra 3 watch goes hard. It can reach up to 3,000 brightness (compared to the 2,000 nits in series 11), and it is also the largest display of all time in an Apple Watch. In this generation, Apple has managed to reduce the size of the telescope to slightly enlarge the screen. The two devices can also drop to a 1 Hz cooling rate with an always on display, so you can see the watch’s face update in seconds (and see changes in complications), without lifting your finger or waste too much battery life.

Although the quality of the screen is mainly equaled, the differentiation factor of many people is probably what the watch looks like and feels on your wrist. Series 11 has a thickness of 9.7 mm, while the Ultra 3 arrives at 12 mm. It is a lot in terms of wristwatches.

It is a similar situation with the weight. The 42 mm 11 aluminum series weighs 30.3.3 grams, and the 46 mm version, which is the closest comparison to Ultra 3, weighs 37.8 grams. The Apple Watch Ultra 3, on the other hand, weighs 61.6 grams. It’s almost 24 grams additional!

The Apple Watch Series 11 is available in several colors and finishes like Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray (a new addition this year) and rush black. There is also the titanium line with natural, gold and slate finishes. Ultra 3 is only available in two colors: natural titanium and black titanium.

The two smartwatches share the same exact S10 chip, with 64 GB of storage, they are therefore also matched with regard to basic performance.

Longer battery life

The Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 promise both overtime hours of standard battery life. Series 11 can now last up to 24 hours (against 18 hours earlier). The Apple Watch Ultra 3, however, can last up to 42 hours on a single load (which is up 36 hours for Ultra 2).

The low power mode on the 11 series takes this battery life for up to 38 hours, while the Ultra 3 can spend for 72 hours instead. The two watches are fast load compatible, and you can charge 0 to 80% on the 11 series in about 30 minutes, while it’s 45 minutes for Ultra 3. On series 11, a quick load session of 15 minutes will add 8 hours of use, while it is 12 hours for Ultra 3.

5G, GPS and satellite connectivity

Credit: Apple

The two smartphones are delivered with 5G connectivity this year, if you go up for the cellular model (which costs an additional $ 100). 5G connectivity helps make faster downloads and streaming for podcasts and music. But it also ensures that your calls will not be abandoned even if you have uneven coverage.

However, the Ultra 3 goes further and adds satellite connectivity, which is not available on series 11. This works in a similar way to the way it does on the latest iPhones. You can use satellite connectivity to contact emergency services, as well as to send quick messages to your friends and family. This can be a great way to inform your friends about your safety and your location when you travel in areas without receipt. Satellite connectivity is free for two years after purchase, but we do not yet know how much it will cost after that. Apple has already extended satellite services for older iPhones for free, so it is possible that Apple does the same for Ultra 3.

The Ultra 3 supports GPS L1 and L5, including Glonass, while the 11 series only obtains the GPS L1.

Ultra 3 has an action button and exclusive watch faces

Credit: Apple

Since Ultra 3 is focused on physical form and follow -up, it has a special action button and specialized watch faces for fitness monitoring that are not available on series 11. The action button on the side can be mapped to open your training, your favorite application or to trigger a shortcut. The ultra watch obtains a series of unique and useful watch faces, including a modular watch face which allows you to add seven complications and displays depth and elevation data in real time on the side.

Ultra 3 has a slight advantage in monitoring physical condition

The series 11 and the Ultra 3 share many of the same sensors and characteristics. They have the same electric heart rate sensor and a third -generation optical cardiac frequency sensor, a water temperature sensor, an altimeter and a depth gauge.

But the depth gauge of the Ultra 3 operates up to 40 meters, while the series 11 operates 6 meters. It is a big difference when you dive into open waters. Also with the altimeter, the Ultra 3 supports an extended range of -500 m to 9,000 meters (Apple has not yet provided data for series 11). Ultra 3 also has better water resistance, evaluated at 100 m from the 50 meters in the series 11. The two smart watches have IP6X dust resistance.

The two devices also support the same basic health characteristics, such as ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep monitoring, training load updates, etc.

Credit: Apple

The newly added high blood pressure notification system, as well as the sleep score, are available on the two watches, although they are also added to the old Apple watches via the Watchos 26 software update.

The 11 series is the best choice for most users

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers the largest screen, the longest battery life and the most precise GPS monitoring in any Apple watch. In addition, it is a much better diving watch. But it also has a cost. Ultra 3 starts at $ 799 for the GPS + cellular model (there is no GPS model only).

Ultra 3 is a question of sensation. This is the robust exterior and the adventurous watches groups that go with it. But before buying one, I strongly suggest you go to an Apple Store to try it in person. It is only when you put the Ultra, with its additional thesis, you will know if it is for you or not.

For most people, the 11 series will probably be the best choice. The 46 mm version always has a sufficiently large screen. In addition, it is thinner and lighter, and now has a battery life promised 24 hours a day. And it offers all health monitoring features and physical condition such as Ultra 3. Plus, the 11 series starts at $ 399 for the 42 mm and $ 429 model for the 46 mm model (plus $ 100 for cellular upgrade). At these prices, the 11 series is more logical, because it offers everything an average smartwatch user would need, in a package that is not too expensive.