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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Apple Watch Ultra 3 satellite service is free for at least two years.
- No extra apps or services are needed for family and friends, and you can send messages and location links.
- The watch guides you to successful connectivit,y and it even works with some light clouds and breaks in the forest.
When I got my first Apple Watch Ultra three years ago, I took it through the rigors of a Tough Mudder competition where it withstood everything I threw at it, quickly becoming my favorite smartwatch. I just spent some time with the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 trail running off the grid, and I’m happy to say that it continues in the same vein as its predecessor.
Also: I tested the Apple Watch Ultra 3 to figure out who should upgrade – here’s my advice
ZDNET’s Nina Raemont covered the Apple Watch Ultra 3 in a full-length review, but I wanted to break down the benefits of one of my favorite new features: its support for satellite communications.
This technology is not unique to the Ultra 3, as Google recently incorporated satellite support in the Pixel Watch 4, as well as Garmin’s inReach technology in the Fenix 8 Pro. But having tested all three watches, it’s clear the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is best for me and for most people exploring the world outside of cell connectivity.
Apple says it will provide two years of free satellite support with the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and if that stays the same as the iPhone, we may never be charged for the service.
To test the satellite function, I drove more than an hour out to the woods, jumped out, and started running on forest service roads until the phones I had with me showed no cellular connectivity.
After launching the satellite utility on the Ultra 3, the watch directs you to move right or left to obtain a connection. For my first test, I started out in a clear-cut section, and I obtained a satellite signal fairly easily. I then tried on a forest service road with light clouds overhead and was still able to get a connection.
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I tested the service with my oldest daughter, who was back at home. She was able to text me normally while I was connected to satellite, but my texts came with the message “Matthew can check for messages via satellite”, alerting her that I was outside of the coverage range.
Unlike other similar devices, the support on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is not just for emergencies, which will greatly increase my wife’s peace of mind while I am out exploring off-grid.
In addition to messages, I was able to share my location on Apple Maps with my specific latitude and longitude. The messages and location drops took about 15-30 seconds to send from the Apple Watch Ultra 3 after the watch utility showed I had a connection.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 also supports emergency coverage via satellite connectivity, but I hope to never use it. However, becoming familiar with the satellite messaging process through regular use could make emergency situations more efficient, so I recommend being familiar with it at the very least.
With this additional connectivity option, Apple just ensured that an Apple Watch Ultra 3 will always be mounted on my wrist when I go off-grid. Its ability to support nearly all of my iPhone apps, connect via cellular, Wi-Fi, and satellite, last for a couple of days between charges, and withstand the elements makes it the ultimate smartwatch for those of us who explore the great outdoors far from cellular coverage maps.
