Apple didnt introduce a new generation of the Apple Watch Ultra last year. Instead, the company announced a new black titanium version for the current generation. This year, however, Apple Watch Ultra 3 will get some hardware upgrades and that includes key improvements when it comes to connectivity.5G and satellite connectivity coming to Apple Watch Ultra 3A recent Bloomberg report corroborated rumors about connectivity upgrades being developed for the Apple Watch Ultra 3. More specifically, this years Ultra model will be the first Apple Watch to support satellite connectivity and 5G.Satellite connectivity was first added to the iPhone 14, and it enables the Emergency SOS feature via satellite. As the name suggests, it lets users point the iPhone in the right direction until it connects to a satellite in order to call emergency services when theres no cellular or Wi-Fi signal available. The feature has become known for saving the lives of many people in high-risk situations.Last year, with iOS 18, Apple also enabled sending and receiving SMS and iMessage via satellite when theres no cellular coverage. These features can be extremely useful for Apple Watch Ultra users, as this version of the Apple Watch is designed for intense activities such as diving and hiking.As for 5G, current Apple Watch models are still limited to LTE connectivity, while the iPhone gained 5G support in 2020. 5G enables faster transfer speeds as well as lower latency. While most users dont download large files on their Apple Watch, they can benefit from having 5G coverage where 3G or 4G isnt available.On the Watch, Apple will use 5G Redcap a version of 5G designed for IoT devices that is not as fast as standard 5G, but uses much less power. According to Mark Gurman, Apple will adopt a MediaTek modem to enable 5G and satellite connectivity rather than using its own C1 chip introduced with the iPhone 16e. Apple is expected to announce Apple Watch Ultra 3 in September.Gadgets I recommend:Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel