Apple Watch rumors: Series 10, SE 3, Ultra 3 are on the way

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Both Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch SE 3 could be among the many products on the agenda for Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event on September 9. The situation with Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a bit more murky, however.

And speaking of murky, we don’t know whether any of these will offer blood oxygen monitoring in units sold in the United States.

The tenth-generation Apple Watch will apparently debut September 9, 2024, ten years to the day after Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed the first model to the world. The new model gets something of a redesign to celebrate.

Rumors indicate Apple Watch Series 10 will include a larger display: 49mm. And the bezels around the screen will be smaller. For comparison, the largest Series 9 version is 45mm. That size will allegedly become the smaller option for the 2024 models. The wearable is also expected to become thinner.

A faster chip could sit at the heart of the device, but the new health sensors that were rumored to be highlights — including blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection — reportedly didn’t make the cut. That means the size change remains the only significant shift in the Apple Watch Series 10 design.

At this point, no rumors point to price increases. Expect the 2024 version of Apple’s watchOS wearable to start at $399 or $429, depending on size.

Apple Watch SE 3 rumors

A new Apple Watch SE 3 is also reportedly on the September 9 event agenda. This might come in a range of colorful plastic casings, possibly lowering the already low price.

Few leaks have mentioned this model, possibly indicating that other dramatic changes are not on the way. However, it’s been suggested that screen size options could rise to 41mm and 45mm, up from 40mm and 44mm. More health sensors could join the heart-rate sensor, too.

On the other hand, the standout feature could instead be price, with Apple Watch SE 3 maybe coming in below the current $249.

Apple Watch Ultra 3

As for Apple Watch Ultra 3, expect a very modest upgrade indeed. The only difference between it and its predecessor is possibly a black casing option in addition to the usual plain titanium. It appears people look for an Ultra 3 announcement on September 9 because they think Apple will introduce a new iteration of its premier wearable every year, whether there are significant changes or not.

The upcoming tweaked model, if real, should start at $799 like its predecessor.

Problems with Apple Watch and blood oxygen monitoring

Apple Watch Series 6 and newer plus the Ultra models offer a pulse oximeter. However, after Cupertino repeatedly lost patent infringement lawsuits, the blood oxygen monitoring software in units sold in the U.S. is disabled.

So far, there’s been no word on a resolution to the dispute. That raises the strong possibility that none of the Apple Watch models ready to go on sale later in September can offer the feature to U.S. buyers.

Be ready for Apple September 9 event

Apple Watch Series 9, SE 3 and Ultra 3 will apparently join quite a few other products on stage next Monday for Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” September event. The big news should be iPhone 16, but AirPods 4 and AirPods Max 2 apparently won’t be overlooked. The same goes for turning Apple Watch Series 10, SE 3 and Ultra 3 from rumors to reality.

Of course, Cult of Mac will cover everything revealed September 9.

The 2024 MacBook Pro and Mac mini with an Apple M4 processor are expected later … possibly at an October event. And iPad mini 7 and iPad 11 could be there, too.