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What's next for Apple Watch Ultra

What's next for Apple Watch Ultra

Third-gen model might bring a "holy grail" feature, among other things.

Lewis Wallace
July 05, 2025

I absolutely love the Apple Watch Ultra 2. I recommend it to anyone who wants a rugged look and a battery that lasts more than a day without breaking a sweat.

However, right now, I’d say hold off if you’re considering buying one of the adventure-ready watches. Although Apple Watch rumors are harder to come by than iPhone leaks, it sounds like this year’s Apple Watch Ultra upgrade will bring worthwhile changes — including one feature I’ve been wanting for years.

Here’s what to expect from Apple Watch Ultra 3 this fall.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

Speaking of rugged smartwatches, my favorite Apple Watch Ultra band is on sale for less than $10.
Apple plans to rev up CarPlay with cool new features in iOS 26.
One of the week’s spiciest rumors is the possibility that Apple will release its cheapest laptop ever next year. (If you want more on this topic, check out our podcast, The CultCast, where we went deep on the topic. Leander’s back on the show, and we tweaked the format a bit.)
Using iMessage effects is a great way to add some excitement or context to your text messages. Here’s how to make your texts more fun.
Cult of Mac Deals is serving up the price drops this week, with new lows on a refurbished MacBook Air, a handy 8-in-1 keychain cable/multitool, an all-in-one AI suite that lets you use the heavy hitters for life, and a new app that makes learning a language fast, easy and fun.

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

Feature story

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to expect

Rumors reveal that the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 3 flagship smartwatch will bring a major overhaul. Here’s what’s coming.

How-tos

These are the best and coolest Apple Watch faces

If you want to spice up and individualize your Apple Watch, here are the best and coolest faces out of the dozens of options.

Make your texting snazzier with iMessage effects (including fireworks)

iMessage effects can add much more meaning, emotion and fun to your texting. You can add bold, italics, underline and many animated effects.

How to turn off autocorrect on your iPhone

You can turn off autocorrect on your iPhone if you want your texts to come across as casual and laid-back. It's super-easy!!! :)

News

All the CarPlay upgrades coming in iOS 26

iOS 26 will give CarPlay a new look and make it more functional with support for widgets and Live Activities.

Apple might launch its most affordable MacBook yet next year

Apple could launch a more affordable MacBook early next year with a 13-inch display and an A18 Pro chipset.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

This is how Apple torture tests its devices

A new report offers a rare glimpse into Apple’s durability testing lab and the extreme conditions its devices endure before launch.

Apple Music's new Replay All Time expands on annual faves list

The new Apple Music Replay All Time feature is like the annual replay list, but it covers your whole history.

Plus: Apple Music marks 10 years with new bleeding-edge music studio

iOS 26 will pause FaceTime video calls when it detects nudity

As a safety measure, iOS 26 will pause FaceTime calls with nudity or sensitive content and require manual intervention to resume.

Take a peek at ‘Invasion’ season 3 teaser, August premiere date [Apple TV+ trailer]

Alongside the new trailer, Apple TV+ reveals an August premiere date and photographs to whet your appetite for a massive confrontation in alien invasion show.

Plus, more Apple TV+ news:

Apple's cheapest laptop ever?!? [The CultCast]

On CultCast episode 706, we discuss rumors of the cheapest MacBook ever, plus our fave Apple Watch bands and the future of Apple Vision.

Deals

Price drop: Grab an M1 MacBook Air for just $429.99

Pick up the perfect laptop for students at a price that's perfect for anyone. Get a refurbished M1 MacBook Air on sale for just $429.99.

Plus, more hardware from Cult of Mac Deals:

Make taxes less taxing year-round with Intuit QuickBooks for Mac or PC

If you want to track your income, expenses and more with greater ease, consider investing in Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Pro.

Generate AI-optimized resumes and cover letters with this all-in-one job search tool

MyCVBot analyzes your resume and job descriptions. Then the AI resume builder instantly delivers optimized content designed to get noticed.

Plus, more software and services from Cult of Mac Deals:

Save $190 on the best damn scooter I’ve ever ridden

Don’t miss a great deal on the Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter, which I highly recommend because I enormously enjoy riding mine.

Reviews and recommendations

My go-to Apple Watch Ultra band is a steal at less than $10

Get an outstanding deal on this rugged yet comfortable nylon Apple Watch band that puts an American flag on your wrist.

Powerful electric scooter is fun to ride, plays well with iPhone [Review]

The Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter is powerful enough to be fun and practical. We went over 200 miles on it for our in-depth review.

Setups

Portable monitor has one job in rig with curved ultrawide display

This Mac Studio setup packs a huge display, but gives one set of tasks to a small portable monitor for Mac, front and center.

Long live Apple's late, great iPod Hi-Fi stereo

Sure, HomePod and HomePod mini are amazing, but this man-shed MacBook user insists iPod Hi-Fi is the best speaker Apple ever made.