Smarter, Tougher, and Healthier Than Ever

Apple has once again strengthened its lead in the wearable technology market. At its global launch event on September 9, the company unveiled three new smartwatches: the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, and the premium Apple Watch Ultra 3. All three models bring upgraded health tracking, enhanced connectivity, and thoughtful design refinements. These models give continuity to Apple’s strategy of embedding deeper intelligence and more powerful sensors into everyday devices.

The new watches are expected to make their official debut in Nepal in the coming days. Bikash Gadia, General Manager at GenXT, Apple’s authorized distributor in the country, confirmed to New Business Age that the launch is imminent, stating, “They will be launched after a few days.”

The upcoming launch highlights the growing interest in smartwatches among Nepali consumers. As demand for wearables rises locally, Apple’s new lineup provides users with a range of options to suit different budgets and needs.

Upcoming features such as hypertension monitoring and sleep apnea detection could attract even more Nepali consumers who rely on smartwatches for health insights. With these updates, Apple is well positioned to maintain—and likely expand—its strong presence in Nepal’s premium wearable segment.

Ultra 3: Apple’s Most Advanced and Rugged Watch Yet

The Ultra 3 continues Apple’s push to build a smartwatch tailored for explorers, athletes, and outdoor professionals. It retains the rugged profile of earlier Ultra models, crafted from lightweight Grade 5 titanium and now offered in two finishes: Natural (silver) and Black. Weighing around 61 grams, it remains durable yet wearable, backed by IP6X dust resistance, 100-meter water resistance, and EN13319 certification for recreational diving up to 40 meters.

The biggest physical upgrade is Apple’s new 3D-printing-based production process, which cuts raw material use by half and allows for slimmer bezels. The 49mm case now houses an even larger LTPO3 wide-angle OLED display with 422 × 514-pixel resolution, sapphire crystal protection, peak brightness of 3,000 nits, and dimming down to 1 nit for nighttime activities. Specialized Ultra watch faces—such as Wayfinder, Orienteering, and Modular Ultra—benefit from the improved clarity.

Powering the Ultra 3 is Apple’s S10 SiP, the same chip used in the Series 10 and newer models. Paired with 64GB of storage and watchOS 26, it delivers snappy performance and better energy management. Apple claims up to 42 hours of typical use, extendable to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. A quick charge brings the battery to 80% in roughly 45 minutes.

Satellite connectivity is the Ultra 3’s standout feature. For the first time, an Apple Watch can connect to satellites for Emergency SOS, messaging, and location sharing via Find My—even without an iPhone. Apple is offering the service free for the first two years. The watch also supports 5G RedCap, a low-power 5G standard optimized for smaller devices.

Health tracking remains central to the Ultra line. Along with ECG, heart-rate monitoring, and blood oxygen readings, the Ultra 3 introduces hypertension detection. Although Apple is awaiting FDA approval for the feature, it is expected to roll out in more than 150 countries and to earlier models like the Ultra 2 and Series 10. watchOS 26 adds a new Sleep Score for deeper rest analysis and Workout Buddy, which offers real-time guidance for running, walking, and cycling.

Series 11: Familiar Design, Smarter Everyday Performance

The Apple Watch Series 11 retains the clean, modern look introduced with the Series 10. It is slim at 9.7mm, slightly heavier, and available in both aluminum and titanium. Aluminum models come in Space Gray, Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Silver, while titanium options include Slate, Gold, and Natural.

The Series 11 uses the same LTPO3 wide-angle OLED display featured in higher-end models. It peaks at 2,000 nits and dims to 1 nit for subtle nighttime use. The aluminum version receives a durability upgrade with ceramic-coated Ion-X glass, which Apple says is twice as scratch-resistant as before. With IP6X dust resistance and 50-meter water resistance, it is well suited for everyday use and swimming.

Powered by the S10 chip and equipped with 64GB of storage, the Series 11 introduces 5G connectivity for the first time. Battery performance is moderately improved, offering up to 24 hours of standard use and up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. A 15-minute charge provides roughly eight hours of use, which is especially convenient for users who prefer not to charge overnight.

Hypertension monitoring is among the model’s most significant new features. It analyzes blood-vessel responses over 30 days to detect potential high blood pressure risks. As with the Ultra 3, Apple is awaiting FDA clearance, but plans to roll it out to more than 150 countries and extend support to older watches, including the Series 9 and Series 10. watchOS 26 enhances the experience with Sleep Score, Workout Buddy, and two new watch faces—Flow, inspired by liquid glass, and Exactograph, which mimics classic regulator clocks. Series 11 users also get an exclusive wrist-flick gesture to dismiss notifications.

SE 3: A Smarter and More Capable Entry Point

The SE 3 maintains the familiar design of the SE 2, with aluminum cases in 40mm and 44mm sizes. Color options are now simplified to Midnight and Starlight. The device keeps its 50-meter water resistance but still lacks dust protection.

The most notable upgrade is the addition of an Always-On Display, a first for the SE line. The LTPO screen reaches 1,000 nits and supports low-power visuals throughout the day. Apple has also strengthened the Ion-X glass, claiming up to four times better crack resistance.

Performance gets a major boost with the S10 chip—the same processor used in Apple’s flagship models. Storage has doubled to 64GB, and the SE 3 now includes 5G support, along with new gesture controls such as double-tap and wrist flick. It ships with watchOS 26, which continues to be supported on the SE 2 as well.

Battery life remains rated at 18 hours of typical use, extendable to 32 hours in Low Power Mode. Fast charging brings the watch to 80% in about 45 minutes, and a 15-minute charge provides roughly eight hours of use.

The SE 3 still lacks ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and hypertension alerts, but it introduces sleep apnea detection, a new Sleep Score, and a temperature sensor for retrospective ovulation tracking. Fall and crash detection remain standard. For the first time, its built-in speaker supports media playback, allowing users to listen to music and podcasts directly on the watch.

This piece was originally published in the December 2025 issue of New Business Age magazine.