What to Expect from Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3

All eyes are on Apple’s September 9 event where the company is expected to unveil the Apple Watch Series 11, a likely Apple Watch Ultra 3 and possibly a refreshed SE. Leaks in the iOS 26 public beta and reporting from analysts point to incremental hardware refinements, bigger screens, an S11 chip and deeper software-driven health and AI features.

What’s likely on stage

Expect at least three tiers: the flagship Series 11, an Apple Watch Ultra 3 and a possible SE refresh. Series 11 should keep the slim flat-edged look of Series 10, gain an S11 processor and ship with WatchOS 26’s new Liquid Glass UI and AI workout coaching.

Leaked display specs in iOS 26 suggest the Ultra 3 will have slightly higher pixel counts—likely slimmed bezels rather than a bigger case—and may introduce a more efficient LTPO panel to stretch battery life.

Connectivity and chips

Apple is expected to introduce an S11 chip for flagship models. Rumors also place satellite connectivity and 5G RedCap on the Ultra 3—features aimed at adventurers and remote telemetry—while the SE may receive a modest processor bump to keep entry-level performance competitive.

Health, AI and WatchOS 26

WatchOS 26 brings a new Liquid Glass visual language and an AI Workout Buddy that runs heavier processes on the paired iPhone. Apple is also testing blood pressure monitoring and broader AI-driven health coaching (Project Mulberry), though new sensors or major hardware changes may be required before those features arrive broadly.

Any health features will have implications for developers, medical vendors and regulators—accuracy, data privacy and certification are non-trivial hurdles for wrist-based vitals.

Timing, price and supply signals

Preorders historically follow the keynote by days: expect preorder windows around Sept. 12 and street availability near Sept. 19, barring production delays or tariff impacts. Pricing will probably cluster near current bands (Series base around $399; Ultra variants higher), though special editions could push the top end.

Why enterprises, developers and governments should care

Upgraded displays, new radios and richer health telemetry change the calculus for product teams: insurers, healthcare providers and emergency services can prototype remote monitoring with improved latency and broader coverage. Outdoor services and carriers will watch satellite and 5G RedCap claims closely for real-world reliability.

Developers should prepare for updated watch APIs, AI-assist features that offload compute to phones, and new privacy expectations for health data. Battery remains the wild card—optimizations at the OS and app level will matter more than ever.

What to watch for on Sept. 9

Key signals: confirmation of Ultra 3 display specs and connectivity, official S11 chip details, which health features ship and how WatchOS 26’s AI features are licensed or gated. Also watch for logistics notes like US-made display glass and any pricing or preorder surprises.

Apple’s smartwatch path is incremental but meaningful: slimmer bezels, smarter chips and AI-driven software will nudge wearables toward richer autonomy and clinical-grade features over time. For organizations building around these devices, early planning—about telemetry, compliance and edge energy budgets—will be the advantage.

QuarkyByte parses these signals with lab-backed testing and scenario mapping so teams can prioritise integrations, manage regulatory risk and design for real-world connectivity. Expect our deeper technical brief after Apple’s keynote with practical steps for product, security and operations teams.