Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the first Ultra model to deliver a meaningful bump in battery life since the lineup debuted, while Apple Watch Series 11 also receives a rare boost of its own. For years, the Ultra line has stood apart from the standard Series thanks to its larger size and longer endurance, but this year Apple is narrowing the gap in ways that matter for daily use.
Apple estimates up to 42 hours of normal use on the Ultra 3, compared to 36 hours on Ultra 2. In Low Power Mode, both Ultra models reach up to 72 hours, but only the latest Ultra can stretch its everyday runtime further. Meanwhile, Apple Watch Series 11 finally improves on the long-standing 18-hour figure that defined past models, reaching up to 24 hours of normal use and up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. That makes it closer to the original Ultra than ever before.
Battery and charging comparison
| Model | Normal use (hrs) | Low Power Mode (hrs) | Fast charge to 80% | Quick top-up (15 min) | Sleep tracking (5 min) | Key strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | 42 | 72 | ~45 min | 12 hrs | 8 hrs | Longest everyday use |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | 36 | 72 | ~1 hr | – | – | Matches Ultra endurance in Low Power |
| Apple Watch Series 11 | 24 | 38 | ~30 min | 8 hrs | 8 hrs | Fastest charging |
Fast charging is another point of difference between these models. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 can reach 80 percent in about 45 minutes, with just 15 minutes providing enough charge for 12 hours of regular use or 5 minutes for 8 hours of sleep tracking. Apple Watch Series 11 is even faster to 80 percent in around 30 minutes, though its short top-ups only cover 8 hours of use or sleep. By contrast, the Ultra 2 is rated at 0 to 80 percent in about an hour, falling behind both of the new models.
This combination of longer-lasting batteries and faster charging makes the 2025 lineup stand out more than in recent years. Apple highlighted a wide range of new watchOS 26 features at its September event, many of which also extend to older models. But when it comes to day-to-day usability, the battery life gains on Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 may prove to be the most compelling reason to upgrade.
