Apple is quietly continuing preparations for its highly anticipated new smartwatch, the Apple Watch Ultra 3. The most concrete evidence came from an unexpected source: the developer beta of iOS 26. A new screen resolution hidden in the code provided the first hint that the Ultra 3 would feature a larger display, creating excitement in the tech world.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3’s screen will be larger

It all started with a hidden reference discovered in the fifth beta of iOS 26, which Apple released for developers. This version referenced a display with a resolution of 422 x 514 pixels. This resolution doesn’t match any current Apple Watch model. For comparison, the current Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a resolution of 410 x 502 pixels.

According to leaks, Apple will not change the case size to prevent the watch from becoming bulky. Instead, it will significantly reduce the bezels surrounding the display.

According to calculations, if Apple maintains the same 335 ppi density, the screen size is estimated to increase from 1.93 inches to approximately 1.98 inches. This seemingly small 3% increase in diameter will offer users approximately 5% more usable screen space. This translates to a more spacious, edge-to-edge experience when browsing maps, messages, and other apps.

While the increase in screen resolution is the most concrete leak yet, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also rumored to feature a number of other significant innovations:

• Satellite Messaging: The ability to send emergency messages even when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
• Blood Pressure Detection: A new sensor that could revolutionize health tracking.
• Next-Generation Chip (S10/S11): A more powerful processor that will improve performance and battery efficiency.
• 5G RedCap Support: Built-in 5G cellular connectivity that is more efficient and consumes less power.

Leaks suggesting Apple will unveil its new iPhone 17 series on September 9th suggest that new Apple Watch models will also be unveiled at the same event. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to be unveiled on that date alongside the standard Apple Watch Series 11. If all these leaks prove true, Apple appears poised to once again solidify its leadership in the wearables market.