Apple Watch Ultra 3 · problems & reliability report

Apple Watch Ultra 3 problems: what real owners report

23% of 64 verified Apple Watch Ultra 3owners don't recommend it — based on real owner comments from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.

For balance: 45% recommend it. This page collects the complaints so you know what you're signing up for — read the full owner report for both sides. How we score

Trend
Recent owners are more negative than older ones — the last six months run 36% recommend vs 45% all-time. Whatever the issues are, they aren't going away.

In owners' own words

This has convinced me that I probably need a garmin. I take my Ultra 3 off after training and I hate smart watch features.
Few-Introduction5414 on Reddit
I’ve not had an Apple Watch yet (I’ve owned most of them) which does a decent job of tracking heart rate when running.
andrew_stirling on Reddit
I’ve tried the AWU3 but can’t get over the multiple apps and toggling between different ones to get different info.
pythongreen911 on Reddit
I have returned the AWU for now and am back on my Garmin, but darn I miss certain aspects of the AW for sure
Blarg197 on Reddit
Both look ridiculously big, but the Apple is ridiculous, plus ugly and you need to charge every day.
ortegaalfredo on Reddit
j’ai gardé ma Fenix 8 pro pour tous les jour et donnée et télécharge Bevel pour les donnés de santé
Kooky-Character7903 on Reddit
this is a very helpful review to the things that I dislike about it now, won’t change with the 3.
brianlefebvrejr on Reddit
Personally I switched from AWU to Garmin enduro 3 and I don’t miss the Apple Watch.
Crazy_Jackfruit420 on Reddit
I’ll never go back to Apple. Garmin is superior in all the ways I need it to be.
ConsistentActivity33 on Reddit
I just ditched my Ultra 3 for a Fenix 8 and have zero regrets
OwnUse2264 on Reddit
My UW died in the middle of an ultramarathon after 30 miles.
GadForClass on Reddit
I returned my AWU for an AW. Ultra too clunky for my taste.
CarolinaSurly on Reddit

Setup quirks & things to watch for

Not complaints — practical notes from owners that didn't affect the score.

Thanks! As far as temps how does that effect it?
breakaway333 on Reddit
Neither of which are the ones meant for running
DontMentionMyNamePlz on Reddit
Does the hrm pro play nice with the awu?
sk1one on Reddit
Ive seen your original comment. Your fuse is so short, that you can’t accept fact that’s it is issue on your end. When i purchased ultra 2 it also performer software update and it wasn’t nowhere close to 8 hours.
Lelu_zel on Reddit
Sure thing. Keep trying position and tightness. Temps and wrist size change seem to be the biggest issue for me. Congrats on your first ultra :)
SweetSneeks on Reddit
This. Apparently the heavier Milanese loop tends to lead to more watch movement on the wrist, leading to less accurate measurements
lfirmann on Reddit
Ok. I only ask because that can cause issues with the heart rate monitor. There are quite a few posts in Apple Watch subs about it.
Rabble_Runt on Reddit
And I came here to find this comment. found it :)
whersdasc on Reddit
Weighing it up? The full report has the other side — what 45% of owners like about it, who it's for, and every sourced quote. Full Apple Watch Ultra 3 owner report →