The Emergency SOS via satellite feature debuted in the iPhone 14 series, making it an exceptional add-on if you happen to be in a dangerous situation and do not have cellular service to call for help. However, why should this addition only be limited to handsets and not other devices? Thankfully, this approach could change next year because a report claims that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will arrive with Emergency SOS via satellite support, making it the first smartwatch in the company’s launch history to do so.
The new emergency feature might encourage buyers to upgrade to the Apple Watch Ultra 3, as the company’s wearable sales are showing some slowdown
This year’s Apple Watch Ultra update was nothing more than a refresh of the earlier model, with the Cupertino giant unveiling the wearable in a new Satin Black finish that was marketed to be more scratch-resistant. Aside from this change, the internals and design remain untouched, but that could change in 2025. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which is launching next year, could tout Emergency SOS via satellite, making it the only device outside of the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 families to get support for it.
All Apple Watch Ultra models have rugged properties that make these smartwatches more durable, making them more appealing to those who are adventure seekers, such as hikers, mountain climbers, and others. Areas where such activities take place are usually void of cellular connectivity, making Emergency SOS via satellite a more attractive addition to the package. The report does not mention how users would interact with responders using the smartwatch via text, but in some situations, it is not always possible for users to remove their iPhones from their pockets and start messaging the authorities for help.
We expect the Apple Watch Ultra 3 to implement some accurate ‘speech to text’ algorithm that interprets the wearer’s voice correctly, even at higher altitudes or areas where there are strong winds that would muffle the microphones. Even now, Emergency SOS via satellite remains free despite Apple mentioning that the service had a time limit. Then again, it is possible that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is stamped with a premium, which makes up for what the company would have charged from users.
As you would have expected, the pricing details were not mentioned by Gurman, and there was no update if the Apple Watch Ultra 3 would be treated to newer and more efficient hardware that allows the wearable to deliver a higher runtime. Then again, these elusive details will be available in the coming months, so stay tuned for more updates.
News Source: Bloomberg
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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