Black Apple Watch Ultra may be launched at the Glowtime event

A new rumor claims that alongside the iPhone 16, Apple's "It's Glowtime" event will chiefly feature the Apple Watch Series 10 — but there will be a significant cosmetic update to the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Contrary to previous reports, Bloomberg now claims that Apple will not release an Apple Watch Ultra 3 at the iPhone 16 launch event. However, it will release a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black.

I don't expect Apple to announce an Apple Watch Ultra 3 tomorrow. Instead, I expect the Ultra 2 sticks around and — finally — gains a black color option. I also wouldn't rule out a delay to the new Watch SE.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) September 9, 2024

A black option was previously reported to have been considered by Apple right back in the development of the original Apple Watch Ultra. However, it was said that the design team simply did not like how it looked, and so it was scrapped.

Subsequently, the 2023 Apple Watch Ultra 2 was rumored to be coming in black, but ultimately didn't. So it's possible that it will come with the 2024 Apple Watch releases, but the claim that there will not be an Apple Watch Ultra 3 at least fits in with some prior reports.

Bloomberg predicts that rather than a new model of the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple will spotlight its Apple Watch Series 10 at the event. It's again reported to feature narrower bezels and a larger screen, plus sleep apnea detection.

Apple's "It's Glowtime" event is at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. AppleInsider will be covering it throughout.

2 Comments

apple4thewin 4 Years · 340 comments

About 4 months ago

I’m sorry they will just release an ultra with a chip of the year before? Bloomberg has to be joking

1 Like · 0 Dislikes

charlesn 12 Years · 1250 comments

About 4 months ago

apple4thewin said:

I’m sorry they will just release an ultra with a chip of the year before? Bloomberg has to be joking

It's actually worse than that if Gurman is correct. They will not be "releasing" an Ultra this year at all. They will simply keep the Ultra 2 in the Watch lineup with the rumored addition of a black color. That's it. Honestly, if the regular Apple Watch 10 gets a chip and feature upgrade (however minor they may be) while the Ultra gets nothing, I think that's EOL for Ultra, even if Apple doesn't say that now. That kind of a spec bump requires no effort all and if Apple skips it for the Ultra--which would mean the basic aluminum model 10 would outspec the Ultra--that tells you everything you need to know, which would be a shame. I love my Ultra 1--I think it's one of the best products Apple has ever released, if my happiness and satisfaction with it are the measure of "best."