Apple Watch Ultra 3 will go all-in on reducing your iPhone use

This fall, after a two year wait, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will arrive—and its rumored features aim to make leaving your iPhone behind a more common practice.

New features coming to Apple Watch Ultra 3

Out of the expected upgrades coming to Apple Watch Ultra 3, two big ones focus on iPhone replacement.

I don’t mean that the Ultra 3 wants to replace your iPhone entirely. But it will make it easier to get out in the world sans iPhone.

That’s because two new connectivity features are coming that replicate existing iPhone features:

• 5G cellular
• Satellite messaging

Both of these technologies have been available on the iPhone for a while, so if you bring your iPhone everywhere with you, the Ultra 3’s upgrades won’t make as big a difference.

But with 5G and satellite connectivity, Apple Watch Ultra 3 should provide a smoother, more seamless iPhone-free experience.

This will of course appeal to “adventurers and explorers,” as Apple likes to say.

But there are also practical use cases for the average city dweller, too.

Improving the Watch-only experience

I live in New York City, and the thought of leaving my iPhone at home is appealing—at least sometimes.

Personally speaking, I’m unlikely to go anywhere I need a satellite connection. I prefer my nature within close proximity of filtered water and a restroom.

But gaining 5G means the everyday tasks I do with an Apple Watch Ultra 3 should perform faster and more reliably than before.

The times I’ve gone iPhone-free in the past, it’s felt clunky trying to do too much on my Apple Watch—including sending messages, navigating in Maps, and getting general info from Siri.

That’s not just because watchOS is more limited than iOS. It’s also because Apple Watch cellular service felt slower and less reliable than my iPhone.

If 5G can improve this experience, and watchOS 12 adds convenient new AI features, going iPhone-free could be a lot more appealing with an Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Would having 5G and satellite messaging on Apple Watch Ultra 3 lead you to leave your iPhone behind more often? Let us know in the comments.

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