Apple Watch Ultra 3 might not launch next year

Top Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the company hasn’t yet started working on the Apple Watch Ultra 3. This might indicate that Apple wants to cancel the product for 2024.

Last month, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 2 as the second generation of its best-selling wearable. The original Watch Ultra was also launched in 2022. While Apple fans and journalists were speculating about the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for next year, Ming-Chi Kuo came with bad news.

The legendary Apple supply chain analyst says it’s “unusual” that the company hasn’t yet started developing the third generation of its smartwatch for 2024. He added that Apple was working on the Ultra 2 around this time last year. Considering the long development cycle of a new product, Apple may have decided to cancel the Ultra 3 for 2024.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 might be removed from Apple’s lineup for 2024

Ming-Chi Kuo noted if Apple doesn’t start working on Ultra 3 by December, it’s “almost confirmed” that the product won’t make it to 2024. He also said the delay might be due to Apple’s commitment to developing “innovative health management features” and ensuring “the manufacturability of new features.” Additionally, the tech firm might still need time to address the Micro LED production issues.

Apple still has over a month to start working on Ultra 3 for the 2024 launch event. Canceling a best-selling product in the wearables segment looks like a suicide for every company. However, Apple might have other priorities. More details about Apple’s final decision will come out in December.

If the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is canceled for 2024, it’s estimated that the shipment of Ultra series watches could decline by around 20-30% compared to 2023. In that case, the total Apple Watch shipment would also plunge by 10%.

The European Union has recently accused Apple of lying about the carbon footprint of Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches. The reports claim producing each Apple Watch results in 7kg-12kg of emissions. The EU now orders the tech firm to remove carbon neutrality from its watch ads.