Apple Watch Ultra 3 could be harder to sell than ever

In a few weeks, Apple will hold its iPhone 16 event. Although they aren’t the star of the show, new Apple Watch models will be unveiled at the same time as the iPhone. An Apple Watch Series 10 and an Apple Watch Ultra 3 are on the way. But there’s a problem: The Series 10 is set to get one of the best Ultra features, making the Ultra 3 harder to sell than ever.

Apple Watch Series 10 is bigger than ever

Apple has a number of upgrades in store for the Apple Watch Series 10, but one in particular stands out.

You could say it is “big”.

Every year, Apple sells its flagship Apple Watch in two different sizes. When the first watch launched, they were 38mm and 42mm. Over the years, these sizes have expanded, with the standard sizes of last year’s Apple Watch Series 9 being 41mm and 45mm.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is getting even bigger.

Both the small and the large models are getting bigger:

• The size of the small model is increased from 41 mm to 45 mm
• The large model goes from 45 mm to 49 mm

What does this mean for buyers?

This means that the small clock is now the same size as the large clock was last year.

And the large watch is the same size as the Apple Watch Ultra.

Large displays are expensive … currently

If the Apple Watch Ultra 3 launches at the same time as the Apple Watch Series 10, it will be harder than ever to sell the Ultra.

Until now, Ultra buyers knew they were getting the Watch’s largest display. That will no longer be the case.

The screen size isn’t the only distinguishing feature of the Ultra. But it’s certainly the most obvious – aside from the price.

Apple customers are used to the fact that bigger also means more expensive.

• The iPhone Pro Max costs $200 more than the standard Pro
• The 13-inch iPad Pro costs $300 more than the 11-inch iPad Pro
• The 15-inch MacBook Air costs $200 more than the 13-inch

Even between the current small and large watch models, there is a price difference of $30.

Then there’s the Apple Watch Ultra, which starts at a whopping $799.

That’s double the starting price of $399 for the Apple Watch Series 9.

But what happens if the Ultra loses its size advantage? Apple certainly won’t lower its price.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is great, but has yet to justify its premium price

Since the Ultra 3 doesn’t surpass the Apple Watch Series 10 in terms of size this year, it has to justify its price in other ways.

Unfortunately, rumors suggest there will be relatively minor changes for this year’s model. Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed the Ultra 3 will have “almost no” new features. Mark Gurman says it will get a new chip but “no major design changes.”

Without a screen size advantage, it’s hard to imagine the Ultra 3 being as successful as previous models.

Maybe Apple will offer a black titanium finish to sway the undecided. Or maybe the Ultra 3 will feature innovative display technology never seen before.

In any case, if prices remain consistent compared to previous years, it will be hard to justify buying an $800+ Ultra model when the Series 10 offers the same display size for almost half the price.

What do you think? Are you less likely to buy an Ultra 3 because of the Series 10? Let us know in the comments.