Apple Watch ultra, series 8 and SE 2: Here’s where to pre-order all the new smartwatches in the UK

The company has launched a fitness tracker for extreme sports, as well as refreshing its usual line-up

There are three new fitness trackers this year (The Independent )

As the old adage goes, all good things come in threes. Apple, who usually releases one smartwatch per year, has just treated us to the launch of three new Apple Watches, including an Apple Watch ultra, the Apple Watch series 8 and a new Apple Watch SE.

The Apple Watch ultra was clearly the star of the show. It’s an entirely new wearable for the company, featuring an enormous 49mm titanium case with a more rugged design, aimed at extreme sports athletes.

It features (deep breath now) a bright 2,000 nits display, ideal for viewing in harsh sunlight; the digital crown is larger; there are new sensors and metrics; and there’s a new “action button” on the side for a number of settings. It also has larger speakers, and Apple says that you can get up to 60-hours of battery life.

That’s not to say the original Apple Watch series line-up didn’t get some neat updates either. The Apple Watch series 8 now features a temperature sensor, which can track body temperature overnight, as well as motion sensors for detecting car crashes and a new low power mode to keep your watch running for up to 36-hours. As for the second-generation Apple Watch SE, it now boasts the new S8 chip and features the same car crash detection sensor found in the pricier models.

Unlike the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 pro, which open for pre-orders at 1pm today, the Apple Watch ultra, Apple Watch series 8 and Apple Watch SE are already available to pre-order now, with third-party retailers and mobile phone carriers slowly making the next-generation Apple Watch available to pre-order over the course of the day. Here’s everything you need to know about the all-new smartwatches and the best pre-o

How much does the Apple Watch ultra, Apple Watch series 8 and Apple Watch SE 2 cost in the UK?

The Apple Watch ultra costs £849 and only comes in one size with a combined GPS/cellular configuration. There’s also three different band types to pair your watch with which are called the Alpine Loop Band, Ocean Band, and Trail Loop and are aimed at hikers, divers, and runners respectively.

The Apple Watch series 8 starts from £419 for the standard 41mm model with GPS or from £449 for the 45mm version. If you want an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity, then prices start from £529 for the 41mm combined GPS model or £549 for the 45mm model.

The Apple Watch SE starts from £259 for the 40mm model standard GPS model and £299 for the 44mm model. If you want GPS and cellular connectivity, then prices start from £349.

The Apple Watch ultra features an action button and a more rugged design for extreme sports (Apple )

Where can you pre-order the Apple Watch ultra, Apple Watch series 8 and Apple Watch SE in the UK?

Retailers and mobile phone carriers are slowly putting pre-orders for the three Apple Watches live. The Apple Watch series 8 and Apple Watch SE will ship on 16 September. While the Apple Watch ultra will ship a little later on 23 September. We’re rounding up the best Apple Watch pre-order deals below.

Apple

You can currently pre-order the Apple Watch ultra (£849, Apple.com), Apple Watch series 8 (From £419, Apple.com) and Apple Watch SE (From £259, Apple.com) directly from Apple.

The retailer has a few trade-in deals available. If you trade in an eligible watch when making your purchase, Apple will give you a refund of up to £180.

Pre-order the Apple Watch ultra from Apple now

Pre-order the Apple Watch series 8 from Apple now

Pre-order the Apple Watch SE from Apple now

O2

If you’re looking to buy the Apple Watch ultra from O2, then this is currently the mobile phone carrier’s best deal. You can get the Apple Watch ultra for £22.75 per month, with unlimited data and no up-front cost. You pay for the device over the course of 48 months (or earlier if you like), but the actual plan itself lasts 24 months. You also get four months of Apple Fitness+ for free.

Pre-order the Apple Watch ultra from O2 now

If you don’t think you need the extra bells and whistles that the Apple Watch ultra affords, then the best O2 deal on the Apple Watch series 8 will set you back £16 per month for the 41mm watch with the sport band. There’s no up-front cost. You get unlimited data and four months of Apple Fitness+ for free.

If you want the 45mm case, it’ll be 50p extra (£16.50 per month, O2.co.uk). Or if you want the stainless steel band, then it’ll cost you £22.30 per month (£22.30 per month, O2.co.uk). Again, you have to pay the price of the device over 48 months (or less), but the plan itself lasts 24 months.

Pre-order the 41mm Apple Watch series 8 with sport band from O2 now

Pre-order the 45mm Apple Watch series 8 with sport band from O2 now

Pre-order the Apple Watch series 8 with stainless steel band from O2 now

In terms of the Apple Watch SE 2nd gen, O2 is offering up an £11.75 per month deal on the 41mm model with the sport band. There’s no up-front cost and you get unlimited data and Apple Fitness+ for free. The 44mm SE costs £1 extra (£12.75 per month, O2.co.uk). You have to pay for the device within 48 months or less, but the plan itself only lasts 24 months.

Pre-order the Apple Watch SE 2nd gen from O2 now

Pre-order the 44mm Apple Watch SE 2nd gen from O2 now

Find the best iphone mobile deals at Independent compare

Interested in pre-ordering the iPhone 14 pro? Find out when it goes on sale and what pre-order deals to expect