Update, Sep 4: The feature is now live. Find the new details below.

While Threads already allows up to 500 characters per post (which is more than enough for casual users used to the microblogging format), it is now testing support for long-form posts through “text attachments”. Here’s how it works.

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Aukey today introduced the MagFusion Ark, a modular wireless charger that supports the faster Qi2.2 specification. The MagFusion Ark can charge an iPhone at up to 25W, matching the speed of Apple's MagSafe 2 chargers when paired with an ‌iPhone‌ that supports Qi2.2. For those unfamiliar with Qi2.2, it is the newest Qi specification that supports magnetic attachment and charging speeds up to 25W, an improvement over the 15W limitation of Qi2.


MagFusion Ark has a 6-in-1 design that includes a base that can charge up to three devices and three detachable power bank spheres for a total of six charging points. All six of the charging spots support Qi2.2 speeds, and Aukey says it is an ideal charger for multi-person households.

When docked, the spheres can recharge from the base while also charging devices that are placed on them, and when removed from the base, they function as 6,700mAh power banks. Each sphere also includes a PD 3.0 30W USB-C port for bidirectional charging, and they have an active cooling system to prevent overheating. The spheres also serve as a magnetic stand for FaceTime calls, videos, and more.

The flagship MagFusion Ark will ship with the base and three spheres, but there will also be one-device and two-device base options, with spheres that can be purchased separately.

Aukey has not provided details on the MagFusion Ark's price, but more detail will be available when it launches in the first quarter of 2026.

Apple is implementing Qi2.2 support in iOS 26, and the upcoming iPhone 17 models should support the technology from day one.
This article, "Aukey's MagFusion Ark Brings 25W Qi2.2 Charging With Detachable Power Bank Spheres" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Three more games were added to Apple Arcade today, including new NFL and Jeopardy! titles.


Just in time for the start of the upcoming NFL season today, NFL Retro Bowl '26 features authentic NFL players and rosters with retro styling. In this year's version of the game, there is a new Retro Bowl Championship Leaderboard that tasks players with competing against each other in weekly matchups, in line with the NFL schedule.

Jeopardy! Daily brings a version of the beloved quiz show to Apple Arcade across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro.


The third game added to Apple Arcade today is My Talking Tom Friends+, which lets kids care for virtual pets and more.

Apple Arcade is a subscription service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. All of the games are free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month, and it is also bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans.

Apple Arcade can be accessed through the App Store, and in the new Apple Games app.
This article, "These New Games Were Added to Apple Arcade Today" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Entries are now open for Interop 2026, a yearly effort where anyone, from users to web developers, can submit their best ideas to improve cross-browser interoperability. Here’s how to participate.

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It’s been almost a year since Apple’s flagship iPhone 16 lineup debuted. That means the iPhone 17 release date is fast approaching. Here’s when to expect Apple’s new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max to arrive in users’ hands.

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Earlier this week, Apple received good news when a judge ruled that its lucrative search deal with Google could continue. And per CNBC, the ruling offers Apple a simple, but winning path forward for the iPhone in AI centered around three words: “pay to play.”

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Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by Backblaze: Never lose a file again. Use code “9to5daily” at checkout for 10% off or try for free. 

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Since 2023, Eugene Levy’s ‘The Reluctant Traveler’ has taken Apple TV+ subscribers through journeys across the globe. Now, for season 3, he’s bringing a few famous friends along as he crosses a few destinations and experiences off his bucket list. Watch the trailer below.

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This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: iPhone Fold rumors, iPhone 17 Pro thermals and case curiosity, AirPods Pro 3 features, and more. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

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Anker Innovations today introduced several upcoming products under its Anker, Eufy, and Soundcore brands. The new Anker Prime lineup features a series of charging options equipped with the AnkerSense View, a smart display that provides details like real-time charging speed and temperature.


The Prime line includes Anker's first charger with a 300W maximum output that can power three devices simultaneously, including two laptops and a smartphone. The 26,250mAh Prime 300W Power Bank can recharge at up to 250W with two separate 140W USB-C cables and power adapters, or with a 150W charging base.


According to Anker, its new Prime Charger is the "world's most compact 160W multi-port charger." It can charge a laptop, tablet, and phone at the same time, splitting the 160W across three USB-C ports.


Anker has a new 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station that supports Qi2.2 25W charging with active cooling and a built-in display, plus a Prime Docking Station that supports three displays with stable 8K output. Anker's charging options will be available starting later in September.


Under the Eufy Brand, Anker announced the Robot Vacuum Omni S2 and the Marswalker, a stair-climbing carrier that allows robot vacuums like the Omni S2 to climb stairs. The Omni S2 has an AeroTurbo deep cleaning system to remove dirt, pet hair, and debris from carpets and rugs, and there is a HydroJet 2.0 system with constant downward pressure and a self-cleaning pad for mopping hard floors. The new robot technology will launch in late 2025 in Europe, and will expand to the rest of the world in January 2026.


Eufy AI Core is a new AI agent created for the home. It can detect and anticipate more than 100 scenarios like package deliveries or a stranger approaching to improve the Eufy Security ecosystem. There is a new EufyCam S4 that combines a 4K fixed lens with dual 2K pan-tilt-zoom lenses for panoramic coverage and facial detail from up to 15 meters away. The $299 EufyCam S4 is available for pre-order today, while AI Core is rolling out later this year.


Under its Soundcore brand, Anker unveiled the Nebula X1 Pro, a mobile theater station with a triple-laser optical engine for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos spatial sound. Anker's Nebula products used to be under a separate brand, but are being added to Soundcore. The X1 Pro is set to launch on Kickstarter on September 23. Later this year, Anker plans to release the AI Voice Recorder, a device that clips to clothing and can turn conversations into transcripts.
This article, "Anker's New Prime Chargers Feature Smart Displays Showing Real-Time Charging Stats" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Benjamin and Chance get hyped for next week’s awe-dropping event with a breakdown of what we expect, and some intriguing hanging questions. In other news, the Google search deal escapes the jaws of antitrust unscathed, and we have more details about the upcoming Siri revamp. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, they discuss the Google Pixel’s 100x zoom features and debate the merits of AI usage in cameras. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

• Sponsored by Caldera Lab: High performance men’s skincare. Get 20% off your first order at CalderaLab.com/HAPPYHOUR
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The iPhone’s default ringtone is highly recognizable, but in iOS 26 Apple has a lot of alternate options coming. There are seven brand new ringtones, most of which are remixed versions of the familiar default. Listen to all of the new iPhone ringtones below.

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Ever since Apple Pay Later was abruptly discontinued last year, Apple has been steadily adding third-party ‘pay later’ services as alternatives. And now thanks to an Apple Wallet update, those options are easier to find and use than ever before.

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Sony is hosting a big sale with up to 40 percent in savings on the company's best headphones, speakers, sound bars, TVs, photography equipment, and more. Buying select headphones and earbuds together during this sale will also net you extra bundle savings.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Sony. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

We've collected a few of the most notable products on sale in the lists below, but be sure to head to Sony's website for the full list of deals. Most devices have an option for free pickup if you live near a Best Buy location that offers local pickup.



You can get Sony's popular WH-1000XM5 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones for $299.99 during this event, down from $399.99. There are also a few earbuds and soundbars on sale with notable discounts, all of which have been applied automatically and do not require any coupon codes.

Audio

• WH-CH720N Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones - $99.99 ($80 off)


• WH-1000XM4 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones - $199.99 ($150 off)


• WF-1000XM5 The Best Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds - $214.99 ($115 off)


• ULT FIELD 5 Wireless Portable Speaker - $249.99 ($80 off)


• WH-1000XM5 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones - $299.99 ($100 off)


• BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 - $1,199.99 ($200 off)

TVs

• 43-inch Bravia LED 4K HDR Google TV - $449.99 ($150 off)


• 55-inch Bravia OLED 4K HDR Google TV - $1,099.99 ($400 off)


• 65-inch Bravia Mini LED 4K HDR Google TV - $1,199.99 ($300 off)


• 65-inch Bravia 4K HDR Google TV - $1,599.99 ($1,200 off)


• 65-inch Bravia II QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV - $2,999.99 ($500 off)

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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This article, "Sony Takes Up to 40% Off Headphones, TVs, Cameras, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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We don't have too much longer to wait until Apple's "Awe Dropping" September event, which will see the unveiling of new iPhones and new Apple Watch models, including the Apple Watch SE.


The ‌Apple Watch SE‌ is overdue for an update, and there could be some useful changes coming to Apple's most affordable watch.

Design

Apple could update the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ with 1.6-inch and 1.8-inch display sizes. It's possible Apple is planning to transition to the Apple Watch Series 7 design for the ‌Apple Watch SE‌, which would see it made available in 41mm and 45mm sizes.

The current ‌Apple Watch SE‌ comes in the older 40mm and 44mm size options.

With the Series 7, Apple also changed the design of the Apple Watch, introducing a slimmer casing and smaller bezels.

S11 Chip

The next-generation ‌Apple Watch SE‌ should get the same S11 chip as the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra.

The S11 is essentially the same as the S9 and the S10, but it will be a major improvement over the S8 chip that's in the current ‌Apple Watch SE‌. Performance should be quicker and the SE 3 should be more responsive.

With the S11, the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ 3 could get features like on-device Siri processing, support for double tap gestures, and more storage.

Possible Health Features

The ‌Apple Watch SE‌ has fewer health features than Apple's flagship Apple Watch models. It doesn't have the ECG app, and there's no blood oxygen monitoring, for example. If there are new health features in the Series 11 and the Ultra 3, it's unlikely the functionality will make it to the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ 3.

The ‌Apple Watch SE‌ supports core features like heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, and respiratory rate tracking. It already has the hardware needed for sleep apnea detection, so Apple could add that as a option.

Apple could also upgrade the optical heart sensor to the third-generation version that was initially introduced in the Apple Watch Series 7. The current ‌Apple Watch SE‌ is still using the second-generation sensor.

Plastic Casing Rumors

Back in mid-2024, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was working on a new ‌Apple Watch SE‌ with a colorful plastic casing. The device would have been reminiscent of the iPhone 5c, an ‌iPhone‌ that used a colorful plastic material instead of aluminum.

As of this year, Gurman says that Apple might have scrapped the plan for a plastic Apple Watch. The design team supposedly didn't like the look of the device, and the materials team was struggling to make it cheaper than the current aluminum casing.

The ‌Apple Watch SE‌ may continue to use the same old aluminum case as a result.

Price

We've heard no rumors of a price increase for the ‌Apple Watch SE‌, and Apple probably wants to keep the device affordable.

The current 40mm version is priced starting at $249, and the 44mm model is priced starting at $279. The ‌Apple Watch SE‌ Series 3 could have the same price points.

Apple has been marketing the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ to parents who get the device for their children, and raising the price would impact Apple's efforts to market the device to kids.

Launch Timing

Apple will debut the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ 3 at its September 9 ‌iPhone‌ event. Pre-orders for the watch could follow on September 12, and a launch could come on September 19.
This article, "Apple Watch SE 3 Coming Soon: What to Expect" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Signify today announced a range of new products that are coming out this fall, including an updated bridge, new light strips and bulbs, updated outdoor light options, and some new Hue Secure devices.


The Hue Bridge Pro is an updated version of the Hue Bridge that enables support for up to 150 lights and 50 accessories, expanding the 50 light limit from the prior-generation Bridge. The Hue Bridge Pro has a processor that's five times more powerful and has 15 times more memory, so it also supports faster response times and up to 500 custom lighting scenes.


Most notably, it enables Motion Aware, a feature that turns Hue Lights into motion sensors. Motion Aware is able to activate lights in a room when motion is detected, and the feature works by detecting changes in the Zigbee signal between bulbs. Three Hue lights in a room are required, and the feature works with bulbs and fixtures manufactured after 2014 (excluding portable devices and the Hue smart plugs). Hue customers who have an existing bridge can upgrade to the new model with just a few clicks, according to Signify.

As for lights, there are multiple new options. The Philips Hue Essential line includes A19 and BR30 bulbs that are available at a more affordable price point for those new to the Hue ecosystem. The bulbs run on the same software as the main Hue line and can be controlled via Bluetooth, with extra functionality enabled through the Hue Bridge. Essential lights do not dim as low, support a lower spectrum of white colors, and do not offer "Chromasync" technology for premium color quality and accurate matching.


Updated A19 bulbs are available with better daylight replication, updated dimming, and 40 percent better efficiency. The latest Essential and A19 bulbs offer native Matter over Thread connectivity along with Zigbee and Bluetooth.


New OmniGlow LED light strips are coming in the future, featuring a spot-free design with diffused light and up to 4500 lumens of brightness. The light strip does not need to be located underneath furniture or cabinetry due to the diffusion.


The Philips Hue Festavia outdoor lighting lineup is gaining permanent string lights that can be attached to a home and used all year long, along with lightguide-style globe string lights for patios, balconies, and more. Both of the new outdoor lighting options are IP65 and can be left up.


Hue Secure is getting a video doorbell option that can alert users when someone is at the door, while also turning on Hue lights automatically. There's also a Hue Smart Chime that provides sound alerts when someone presses the doorbell. While Hue lights and accessories are HomeKit compatible, the Hue Secure line is not. Hue Secure products can only be controlled with the Hue app.


Signify is updating Hue Secure with additional software features. 24-hour video history will be free for all users starting later this year, and it will no longer require a Secure subscription. Cameras are able to recognize smoke alarm signals and respond with lights, and in 2026, an AI-powered facial recognition feature will reduce false alerts.

Finally, Hue is partnering with Sonos for integrated light and sound experiences. Sonos Voice Control users will be able to operate Philips Hue lights with voice commands.

The Hue Bridge Pro is available starting now, and it is priced at $98.99. The Essential range bulbs are also available and are priced starting at $24.99, with a light strip option coming in December. Signify is launching new Hue White, White Ambiance and White and Color Ambiance bulbs ranging from 60W to 100W, with availability starting today at prices starting at $54.99.

The OmniGlow strip lights are priced at $139.99 for 40 meters, and will launch in October, while the Festavia Permanent String Lights and Globe String lights are available now. The Permanent lights are priced starting at $399.99 for 27 meters, and the Globe lights start at $175.99 for a 7 meter length.

The Hue Secure Video Doorbell is priced at $169.99, while the Hue Secure Smart Chime is priced at $60. Both devices are launching in September 2025.

More information on the new Hue devices can be found on the Philips Hue website.
This article, "Philips Hue Line Gains Bridge Pro, New Bulbs, Updated Outdoor Lights and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Arcade just launched two big new titles for subscribers: NFL Retro Bowl ’26 and Jeopardy! Daily. And alongside their release, an interview with Apple Arcade’s senior director reveals why more IP-focused games have been debuting.

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If you’re planning to replace your wireless router with a new one and you have a smart home, there’s a new certification you’re going to want …

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Adobe today announced that it will be releasing a more full-fledged version of its popular video editor Premiere on the iPhone and iPad later this month.


The app can be pre-ordered in the App Store, ahead of a September 30 launch. It is free to use, with options to pay for cloud storage and generative AI credits.

Adobe promises that the new Premiere app on the iPhone and iPad will be more like Premiere Pro on the Mac and PC. Adobe says the app will allow for "pro-quality video editing," with key features including a multi-track timeline with unlimited video, audio, and text layers, automatic captions with stylized subtitles, 4K HDR support, the ability to generate sound effects and other assets with the Adobe Firefly suite of AI tools, and more.

In the app, users will be able to export videos directly to TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram with one tap, or they can send the projects to Premiere Pro.

The new Premiere app will replace the more lightweight Premiere Rush app for the iPhone, which will be removed from the App Store on September 30. After that date, existing users may continue to use Premiere Rush on devices where it is already installed, until the app is fully discontinued on September 30, 2026.

You can learn more about the new app on Adobe's website.
This article, "Adobe Premiere App Launching on iPhone and iPad Later This Month" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is ready to roll with Thursday’s most notable deals on Apple gear and accessories for it all. We have the first discount on a new Qi2.2 25W MagSafe charging stand as well as an exclusive and rare discount on Nomad’s leather iPad Pro folios. But we also have M4 MacBook Pro at $300 off joined by a wild deal on a wild M4 Pro Mac mini configuration at massive $1,200 off the list price. Those offers also join iPhone 15 Pro at $370 off, and much more below. Just be sure to also scope out Anker’s new Qi2.2 25W MagSafe stand with the onboard color display too.

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Apple Music is about to get its biggest update in years thanks to iOS 26, including upgrades to one of my favorite features—lyrics—just in time for the device that will be perfect for them.

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iPhone 17 news will undoubtedly dominate technology headlines next week. Yet September 9 could also prove to be a turning point for Apple’s CarPlay Ultra.

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Wireless charging and iPhones have had an interesting relationship. While Android phones had wireless charging extremely early, it took Apple years to adopt the regular Qi wireless charging with the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus back in 2017. Back then, it only charged at 7.5W, and it was not very efficient. Then Magsafe and the Qi2 standard recently came around and allowed iPhones to charge at 15W. But now we are getting Qi2.2, which is faster, cooler, and more efficient, and Kuxiu is the first to bring it to us. Here is what you should know about the new X40 Turbo and Qi2.2 charging.

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We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023.


By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for enhancements, especially for users coming from a first-generation Apple Watch Ultra. Here are all of the major new features we're likely to see in the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Larger Display

Evidence from a recent iOS 26 beta points to a slightly larger display for the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3. MacRumors uncovered an image with a resolution of 422 x 514 pixels – higher than the current Ultra 2's 410 x 502 panel.


No increase in case size has been rumored, but the larger resolution suggests Apple could be trimming bezel width to expand the viewing area without altering the watch’s overall dimensions. If accurate, this would give the Ultra 3 the biggest Apple Watch display yet, enhancing readability and making better use of the rugged design's expansive front surface.

Newer Processor

Given it's been two years since an update, it's highly likely the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will debut with a new chip.


The current model uses the S9, while the 2024 Apple Watch Series 10 introduced the S10. Although the S10 doesn't improve performance over the S9, its smaller design creates more internal space for other components. In the Ultra, that could allow for a larger battery, additional sensors, or new connectivity hardware.

On the other hand, leaked internal information suggests Apple could introduce an S11 chip this year, and while the underlying technology is the same as the S9 and S10 chips, Apple could make other tweaks. With the S10, for example, Apple redesigned the chip with a thinner profile so it would take up less space inside the watch. Major performance gains may not arrive until the S12 chip next year, however.

Faster Refresh Rate

By skipping a hardware refresh for the Apple Watch Ultra in 2024, Apple inadvertently allowed the Apple Watch Series 10 to leap ahead in display technology. This imbalance is unlikely to last long, with the next Ultra almost certain to catch up.


The Series 10 debuted with an LPTO3 OLED always-on Retina display, a step up from the Ultra's LTPO2 panel. The upgrade gives the Series 10 a faster refresh rate in always-on mode, making it possible for watch faces to feature a continuously ticking seconds hand.

Wide-Angle OLED

Apple also introduced a wide-angle OLED on the Series 10, which delivers up to 40% more brightness when viewed off-axis compared to the Ultra's OLED display. Taken together with the LPTO3 panel, these advancements make it seem all but inevitable that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will inherit the same improvements.

Satellite Connectivity

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to become the first Apple Watch with satellite connectivity, extending its reach far beyond cellular towers and Wi-Fi. Like the iPhone 14 and later, it will tap into satellite networks for off-grid texting, giving wearers a lifeline in remote areas.


Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that Apple was working to bring the feature to the Ultra line. On iPhone, satellite support originally handled only emergency SOS messages, but iOS 18 expanded it to allow standard text conversations. If Apple follows the same model, Ultra 3 owners could message anyone, even when entirely off the grid.

On iPhone, two years of service come free, and it's likely the same arrangement will apply to the Ultra 3 when it launches.

Faster Charging

With the Series 10, Apple debuted a redesigned rear casing made of metal, complete with a larger charging coil and an integrated antenna. The change replaced the ceramic and sapphire crystal back seen on earlier models.


The Ultra still uses that older rear design, but the advantages of the Series 10's update make it probable that the Ultra 3 will adopt the same metal back. Beyond structural changes, the redesign improves cellular performance and significantly boosts charging speeds.

In practice, the difference is stark: the Series 10 can reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes, shaving 15 minutes off the Series 9's time. By contrast, the Ultra 2 – with its older back and larger battery – needs a full hour to hit the same mark. A switch to the new casing would close that gap, giving the Ultra 3 much faster top-up times alongside stronger connectivity.

5G Cellular

Reports from Bloomberg and The Information indicate that Apple intends to drop Qualcomm modems from the Apple Watch Ultra with the third-generation model. Instead of relying on Qualcomm hardware or on its own custom modem, Apple is expected to turn to MediaTek, one of the few companies developing 5G solutions for wearables.


The shift would mark a major connectivity upgrade. Current cellular Apple Watch models still depend on 4G LTE, despite the iPhone adopting 5G back in 2020. MediaTek's chip is designed for 5G RedCap, a streamlined version of 5G tailored for connected devices that don't require the full speed and bandwidth of standard 5G networks.

Blood Pressure Monitoring

Apple has been developing blood pressure monitoring for several years, and reports last year suggested it could debut as the flagship health upgrade for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Whether it's ready in time remains uncertain, since accuracy and reliability are still major hurdles.


If the feature does arrive, it won't deliver exact systolic and diastolic readings like a medical-grade cuff. Instead, the watch would track upward trends and alert the wearer if hypertension is detected over time. Users could then share that alert with a healthcare professional for further evaluation.

High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because it frequently goes unnoticed until it causes serious damage. By flagging early warning signs, the Apple Watch could play a preventative role similar to its existing heart health features, such as atrial fibrillation detection, single-lead ECG, and recently re-enabled blood oxygen monitoring.
This article, "Apple Watch Ultra 3 Coming Next Week: Eight Reasons to Upgrade" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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