I Tested The Apple Watch Ultra 3's Satellite Connectivity Off-grid, And It's Even Better Than Garmin's

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Apple Watch Ultra 3 outer work is free for astatine slightest 2 years.
  
• No other apps aliases services are needed for family and friends, and you tin nonstop messages and location links.
  
• The watch guides you to successful connectivit,y and it moreover useful pinch immoderate ray clouds and breaks successful nan forest.
  

When I sewage my first Apple Watch Ultra 3 years ago, I took it done nan rigors of a Tough Mudder title wherever it withstood everything I threw astatine it, quickly becoming my favourite smartwatch. I conscionable spent immoderate clip pinch nan caller Apple Watch Ultra 3 way moving disconnected nan grid, and I'm happy to opportunity that it continues successful nan aforesaid vein arsenic its predecessor. 

Also: I tested nan Apple Watch Ultra 3 to fig retired who should upgrade - here's my advice

ZDNET's Nina Raemont covered nan Apple Watch Ultra 3 successful a full-length review, but I wanted to break down nan benefits of 1 of my favourite caller features: its support for outer communications. 

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

This exertion is not unsocial to nan Ultra 3, arsenic Google precocious incorporated outer support successful nan Pixel Watch 4, arsenic good arsenic Garmin's inReach exertion successful nan Fenix 8 Pro. But having tested each 3 watches, it's clear nan Apple Watch Ultra 3 is champion for maine and for astir group exploring nan world extracurricular of compartment connectivity. 

Apple says it will supply 2 years of free outer support pinch nan Apple Watch Ultra 3, and if that stays nan aforesaid arsenic nan iPhone, we whitethorn ne'er beryllium charged for nan service. 

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

To trial nan outer function, I drove much than an hr retired to nan woods, jumped out, and started moving connected wood work roads until nan phones I had pinch maine showed nary cellular connectivity.  

After launching nan outer inferior connected nan Ultra 3, nan watch directs you to move correct aliases near to get a connection. For my first test, I started retired successful a clear-cut section, and I obtained a outer awesome reasonably easily. I past tried connected a wood work roadworthy pinch ray clouds overhead and was still capable to get a connection.

Also: The champion Apple Watch you tin buy: Expert tested

I tested nan work pinch my oldest daughter, who was backmost astatine home. She was capable to matter maine usually while I was connected to satellite, but my texts came pinch nan connection "Matthew tin cheque for messages via satellite", alerting her that I was extracurricular of nan sum range.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Unlike different akin devices, nan support connected nan Apple Watch Ultra 3 is not conscionable for emergencies, which will greatly summation my wife's bid of mind while I americium retired exploring off-grid.

In summation to messages, I was capable to stock my location connected Apple Maps pinch my circumstantial latitude and longitude. The messages and location drops took astir 15-30 seconds to nonstop from nan Apple Watch Ultra 3 aft nan watch inferior showed I had a connection.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 besides supports emergency sum via outer connectivity, but I dream to ne'er usage it. However, becoming acquainted pinch nan outer messaging process done regular usage could make emergency situations much efficient, truthful I urge being acquainted pinch it astatine nan very least.   

With this further connectivity option, Apple conscionable ensured that an Apple Watch Ultra 3 will ever beryllium mounted connected my wrist erstwhile I spell off-grid. Its expertise to support astir each of my iPhone apps, link via cellular, Wi-Fi, and satellite, past for a mates of days betwixt charges, and withstand nan elements makes it nan eventual smartwatch for those of america who research nan awesome outdoors acold from cellular sum maps.