Apple Watch Ultra 4: Should You Buy? Reviews, Features and MoreOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit Forums
Skip to Content

Ask MacRumors

Powered by AI — responses may not always be accurate

Should You Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 4?

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is Apple's most expensive watch, priced starting at $799. It is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who need more durability and a wider range of features than those who wear the standard Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch Ultra was refreshed in September 2026, so it is at the beginning of its product cycle. Now is the best time to buy. No new model will be coming until 2027 at the earliest.

Compared to the third-generation Ultra model, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 has a faster S11 chip, more RAM, improved heart rate tracking, and longer battery life.

The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple's largest Apple Watch at 49mm, and it might not fit some people with smaller wrists. Those who do not need the feature set of the Ultra or who need a smaller watch should check out the Apple Watch Series 12.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4

The fourth-generation Apple Watch Ultra follows the third-generation model that came out in September 2025. Designed to compete with more expensive fitness-focused smart watches from companies like Garmin, the Apple Watch Ultra is aimed at sports enthusiasts and athletes who need more battery life, better connectivity, and more sport-specific performance from their devices.

Apple says the Apple Watch Ultra was built for endurance, exploration, and adventure, and continues to be the largest Apple Watch to date at 49mm.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is equipped with a faster S11 chip with a 64-bit dual-core processor, 64GB storage, and a 4-core Neural Engine. The S11 chip supports Audio Intelligence features including Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Shazam, and Sound Recognition. Live Rewind listens to what's going on and can give you a transcript if you miss something that was said, while Siri Recap uses the same listening capabilities to give you a high-level overview of your conversations throughout the day.

The Ultra 4 has updated optical and electrical heart sensors and larger, power-efficient green LEDs that power a Health Sensing System. Apple says the Ultra 4 and Series 12 have the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable device.

The watch measures heart rate and heart rate variability more frequently for new health and fitness features, including a real-time heart rate watch face complication and a new readiness score. Each morning, readiness analyzes your recent activity, training load, vitals, and sleep score and gives a 0–10 score ranking your capacity for the day ahead.

Apple redesigned the pedometer model with new machine learning algorithms, and it says the Ultra 4 gives more accurate distance measurements for indoor walk or run workouts. The S11 chip also offers more accurate step counts.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 did not receive any design updates compared to the third-generation model, and it features a lightweight aerospace-grade titanium body, flat sapphire crystal face, a larger-diameter and deeper-grooved Digital Crown than standard models, a housing for the side button and an extra physical button on the left side called the Action button.

The Action button on the Apple Watch Ultra is designed in international orange to make it noticeable in the dark and under water, and it's customizable so it can activate Workouts, mark segments, set Compass Waypoints, and more.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 has a viewable display size of 1,245 sq mm. It uses LTPO3 display technology with up to 3,000 nits brightness. It can also go down to 1 nit for use in dark rooms like movie theaters, and the low brightness allows for an always-on second hand.

There are three built-in microphones to improve sound quality, and a beamforming algorithm captures voice while reducing ambient background sounds even when it's noisy outdoors. There is an 86-decibel siren available for drawing help if needed, with two SOS patterns.

With the larger 49mm casing compared to non-Ultra models, Apple has been able to include a larger battery, and the Apple Watch Ultra 4 has even longer battery life than the prior generation. The battery lasts for up to 50 hours on a single charge, and with a Low Power Mode, battery life can last for up to 84 hours for multi-day adventuring. The battery lasts long enough for users to complete a long-course triathlon that includes a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon. Fast charging is available, and the Ultra 4 gets up to 18 hours for 15 minutes of charging.

The Apple Watch Ultra features dual-frequency GPS, integrating both the L1 and L5 frequencies, plus it has new positioning algorithms. It provides the most accurate GPS of any Apple Watch, which means it also offers precise distance, pace, and route data for training and competing.

To accommodate more extreme environments, the Apple Watch Ultra can withstand a wider temperature range. It works in conditions as cold as –4º Fahrenheit (–20º C) to as hot as 131º Fahrenheit (55º C). The watch is certified to MIL-STD-810H, a metric used for military equipment and by rugged equipment manufacturers.

For water sports, the Apple Watch Ultra can hold up to kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and recreational scuba diving, activities not recommended for the standard Apple Watch models. The Apple Watch Ultra is certified to WR100 and EN 13319, an internationally recognized standard for diving accessories. When used for diving, the Apple Watch Ultra has a depth gauge and a dedicated Depth app that displays current depth, water temperature (using the onboard temperature sensor), duration under water, and max depth reached.

Apple designed a Wayfinder watch face for the Apple Watch Ultra, with a built-in compass and space for up to eight complications. The watch face can be customized for the mountain, ocean, or trail, and it turns red automatically at night for better visibility. The Apple Watch Ultra supports Compass Waypoints for marking a location or point of interest, and a Backtrack feature uses GPS to create a path showing where the user has been, helpful for retracing steps when lost.

In addition to features designed for exploring and adventuring, the Apple Watch Ultra has all of the functionality available in the Apple Watch Series 12. It monitors heart rate, tracks sleep, can take ECG readings, monitors blood oxygen, tracks body temperature, and offers all of the same fitness tracking options.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 hero 260909 scaled

All Apple Watch Ultra models feature cellular connectivity, with a cellular plan needed to access all functions. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 has a 5G chip and can connect to 5G networks. Satellite connectivity is also available so the Apple Watch Ultra 4 can use a satellite connection when Wi-Fi and cellular are not available. Available satellite features include Emergency SOS via satellite, satellite-based text messaging, and satellite Find My updates.

There's a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip in the Apple Watch Ultra 4. The UWB chip brings Precision Finding for locating a misplaced iPhone with visual, haptic, and audio guidance.

There are motion sensors in the Apple Watch Ultra for Crash Detection, alerting emergency services if you are in a severe car crash. When a crash is detected, the Apple Watch checks in with the user and then dials emergency services automatically if there's no response after a 10-second countdown.

apple watch ultra 3 blue

There are three sport-focused bands available for the Apple Watch Ultra, including the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band, plus bands designed for 44mm, 45mm, and 46mm Apple Watches fit the Ultra model. The Trail Loop band is thin and light, while the Alpine Loop features high-strength yarn and a woven design made for durability. The Ocean Band is for extreme water sports and features a flexible silicone that can stretch to fit over a wetsuit.

Note: See an error in this roundup or want to offer feedback? Send us an email here.

How to Buy

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 can be ordered from Apple and other retailers. Pricing starts at $799.

Design

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 has the same design as the Apple Watch Ultra 3, featuring the same rounded rectangular shape of the standard Apple Watch, but with a more rugged build. It has slim bezels like the Ultra 3, and a larger viewable display area than the regular Apple Watch models.

apple watch ultra 3 1

Apple designed the case edges to extend to the flat front crystal display, and the Digital Crown and side button are located in a raised, pill-shaped area at the side of the device.

Compared to the Series 12, the Digital Crown on the Ultra has larger and coarser grooves for easier access even when using gloves, and the side button is also able to be used with gloves on.

digital crown apple watch ultra

At 49mm, the Apple Watch Ultra is the biggest Apple Watch that Apple offers in terms of size, and it has the largest display. The Apple Watch Ultra measures in at 49mm by 44mm by 12mm, and it weighs 63 grams, making it heavier than the 46mm ceramic Apple Watch Series 12.

apple watch ultra digital crown

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 includes an "Action" button on the left side of the device that can be customized by the user. The Action button is a bright orange color to make it easy to see, and it can do things like launch Workouts and apps.

Colors and Materials

The Apple Watch Ultra is made from an aerospace-grade titanium, which is a lightweight and durable material that also offers corrosion resistance for use in the water.

apple watch ultra 2 new black

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is available in Natural Titanium or Black Titanium, both of which have a satin finish. The black finish uses a custom blasting process to apply a diamond-like carbon coating that improves scratch resistance and durability.

The titanium case of the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is 3D printed with aerospace-grade titanium powder. Apple's specialized printers create the case layer by layer, using less material than traditional forging.

Exclusive Watch Faces

The Apple Watch Ultra has a "Wayfinder" face that incorporates a time dial that can be transformed into a compass, plus it has room for up to eight complications. The Wayfinder face has a built-in night mode that turns it red for better visibility in the dark. Night mode can be activated by turning the Digital Crown, but it also comes on automatically when it gets dark.

Apple Watch Ultra Orange Alpine Loop Wayfinder face Night Mode 220907 inline

The Apple Watch Ultra is also the only watch that can use Modular Ultra. The Modular Ultra watch face uses the outermost edge of the display to present real-time data, including seconds, altitude, or depth. It offers the most complications of any Apple Watch digital face.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 hero feature blorange

Durability

Because it is meant to be used for exploring and adventuring, the Apple Watch Ultra is able to withstand more extreme temperatures than standard Apple Watch models. It works in temperatures as cold as –4° F (–20° C) to as warm as 131° F (55° C).

It is certified to MIL-STD-810H, a standard that is used for military equipment and employed by rugged equipment manufacturers. Apple says this testing includes Low Pressure (Altitude), High Temperature, Low Temperature, Temperature Shock, Contamination by Fluids, Rain, Humidity, Immersion, Sand and Dust, Freeze/Thaw, Ice/Freezing Rain, Shock, Vibration, and more.

apple watch ultra snow

The Apple Watch Ultra's display is protected by a flat sapphire front crystal that is more durable than the Ion-X front glass used for the Apple Watch SE and the Ceramic Shield 2 used on aluminum Apple Watch Series 12 models. The flat design paired with the raised edges of the case is meant to protect the display from edge impacts.

Water Resistance

Apple designed the Apple Watch Ultra for extreme water sports. Unlike standard Apple Watch models, it can be used for kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and recreational scuba diving to 40 meters deep. It is water resistant to a total of 100m, making it more water resistant than other Apple Watch models.

apple watch ultra underwater

The Apple Watch Ultra is also certified to WR100 and EN13319, a standard for dive accessories such as depth gauges.

S11 Chip

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 uses the S11 chip, which Apple says is its most powerful wearable chip. The S11 has a 64-bit dual-core processor, a 4-core Neural Engine, and 64GB storage capacity.

apple watch ultra 4 live rewind

The S11 chip supports new Audio Intelligence features, Siri AI, the Health Sensing System, and more accurate step counts.

Audio Intelligence

Apple says the S11 has a Secure Exclave, which is a dedicated hardware-isolated compartment designed to process audio in isolation from the rest of the system. The Secure Exclave is used for Audio Intelligence features that include Siri Recap and Live Rewind.

There are four Audio Intelligence options.

  • Sound Recognition - Alerts Apple Watch users about sounds nearby, like sirens, alarms, doorbells, or a baby crying. Apple says it is useful for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Live Rewind - This feature can recall what was just said in a conversation. Pressing twice on the Digital Crown shows a transcript of the previous 15 seconds of a conversation.
  • Siri Recap - Siri Recap creates high-level summaries of conversations that take place throughout the day. After a conversation, Apple Intelligence generates a title and key points in the Siri app so users can look back later.
  • Shazam - Detects music playing around the user and displays the song title and artist's name in the Music Recognition widget in the Smart Stack.

Audio Intelligence features are opt-in. Siri Recap has several privacy features, including no speaker attribution, no audio recording because of the Secure Exclave, no full transcripts of conversations, and no transcripts of potentially harmful content or sensitive data. Apple says raw audio is inaccessible and deleted after processing.

Apple plans to implement Audio Intelligence later this year.

Gestures

The S11 chip supports several gestures. There's a new single-handed tap gesture that lets users open a widget in the Smart Stack by tapping their index finger and thumb together.

Single tap works with double tap, a gesture that you can use to control the Apple Watch. When you double tap your index finger and thumb, the sensors in the Apple Watch detect the motion and can activate what's on the display, allowing you to do things like answer a call, end a call, open a notification, play or pause music, start or stop a timer, check your Smart Stack, and more. Double Tap also works in third-party apps. You can use double tap to scroll through the Smart Stack, and single tap to open a widget, all one-handed.

The S11 chip also supports Wrist Flick, a gesture that lets you dismiss incoming notifications, calls, and more with a flick of the wrist.

wrist flick watchos 26

Always-On Display

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 has the same LTPO3 wide-angle OLED display as the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

apple watch ultra 3 display

The Ultra 4 has a resolution of 422 by 512 pixels with a 1,245 sq mm display area. The Ultra 4 has the largest display area of any Apple Watch, beating out the 46mm Series 12, which has a 1,220 sq mm display area.

apple watch ultra sandy

The display reaches up to 3,000 nits brightness like the Ultra 3.

Health Features

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 has a new Health Sensing System that improves the tracking of heart-related data. The Health Sensing System includes a second-generation electrical heart sensor, an always-on optical heart sensor with larger, power-efficient green LEDs, a blood oxygen sensor, and a temperature sensor.

apple watch s12 ultra 4

The always-on optical heart rate sensor calculates metrics like calorie burn, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and heart rate irregularities. Compared to the sensor in the Ultra 3, it takes readings more frequently. It measures heart rate every five seconds, all day long, offering more insight into a user's fitness and physiological state while also making Exercise and Move Activity rings more accurate.

HRV, an indicator of stress and recovery, is measured up to 24 times more often. Apple updated the heart rate app to show a continuous heart rate reading and HRV data. There's a recovery HRV metric that identifies signals of stress and recovery, plus overall HRV for insights into a user's broader health. Recovery HRV measurements are included in overnight vitals, and there's also a daytime vitals metric.

Apple says the Apple Watch Ultra 4 offers the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable.

The electrical heart rate sensor can be used for taking electrocardiograms, and LEDs and infrared light enable blood oxygen monitoring. A built-in accelerometer and gyroscope enable other important health-related features such as fall detection.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 heart rate sensing 260909

The Apple Watch can detect a low heart rate, a high heart rate, and an abnormal heart rate, monitoring for health problems like atrial fibrillation and sending notifications when anomalies are detected.

Readiness

Readiness is a new metric available on the Apple Watch Ultra 4. It analyzes a user's recent activity, training load, vitals, and sleep score to give them insight into how well they can handle stress and activity in the day ahead.

The Apple Watch gives a single 0–10 score with one of four recommendations: Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, or Go For It.

Readiness is not a static score and it changes throughout the day as new health data comes in.

Step Tracking

Apple says the Ultra 4's pedometer model has been redesigned with new machine learning algorithms to give more accurate distance measurements during indoor walk or run workouts. Paired with the S11, the Ultra 4 offers the most accurate step tracking of any smartwatch.

Hypertension Alerts

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 supports detecting high blood pressure. The Apple Watch isn't able to measure specific systolic and diastolic pressures, but it looks for signs of hypertension in heart rate data.

After collecting 30 days of heart rate information, the Apple Watch can determine whether patterns related to possible hypertension have been detected. It analyzes how a user's blood vessels respond to beats of the heart over 30 days. Data is refreshed every 30 days, and users who receive an alert can then provide seven days of blood pressure testing if a blood pressure cuff is available to get more information before contacting a doctor.

ECGs

Electrodes in the back of the Apple Watch and the Digital Crown work together to allow users to take single-lead electrocardiograms. An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart and can be used to diagnose health conditions by a doctor.

ECGs are captured by holding a finger on the Digital Crown of the Apple Watch and can detect a sinus rhythm (normal), an abnormal result, or, sometimes, an inconclusive result that should be shared with a doctor. The ECG is able to detect atrial fibrillation at heart rates between 50 and either 120 or 150 beats per minute, depending on country or region.

A single-lead ECG like the Apple Watch means there are two points of contact measuring the electrical sensations of your heart. Clinical electrocardiograms done by your doctor can have six to 12 leads for greater accuracy, but the Apple Watch offers the convenience of being able to take an ECG anytime anywhere in approximately 30 seconds.

Sleep Tracking

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 models can be worn at night to keep track of your sleep. The watch monitors when you're awake and when you're asleep, letting you know how much time you spent in the REM, Core, and Deep sleep stages. Sleep tracking also lets you know how often you've woken up in the night and for how long.

There's a Sleep Score metric that gives a numerical value for sleep quality. Sleep Score takes into account sleep duration, bedtime consistency, and how often the wearer wakes in the night, and how long is spent in each sleep stage.

Sleep Score shows the breakdown in each category so users can understand their sleep quality and learn steps to make it more restorative. Sleep Score is available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and later.

Sleep Apnea Detection

Using the accelerometer, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 can determine whether the wearer might suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes breathing to stop repeatedly, resulting in disrupted sleep.

The Apple Watch is able to sense small movements at the wrist that are associated with interruptions in normal respiratory patterns, and the data can provide insight into the restfulness of sleep.

The Ultra 4 is able to analyze 30 days of sleep, letting you know if signs of sleep apnea are detected. Sleep apnea data can be viewed in the Health app on iPhone.

Crash Detection

Motion sensors and an advanced sensor-fusion algorithm allow the Apple Watch Ultra 4 to detect a severe car crash and alert emergency services. After a crash is detected, the Apple Watch checks in with the user and then dials emergency services after a 10-second period with no response.

Temperature Measurements

There are temperature sensors in the Ultra 4, including one that measures the temperature at the wrist and one that measures the ambient temperature in the air to cut down on outside bias.

The wrist temperature sensor is primarily designed for women's health. It is able to take temperature readings every five seconds when the wearer is asleep, aggregating the data in the Health app. Temperature fluctuations can provide data on overall health to detect illness, but it is also useful for fertility planning.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is able to deliver retrospective ovulation estimates, letting users know when they might have ovulated for better cycle tracking. Apple says temperature sensing also improves period predictions for those who menstruate.

Blood Oxygen Monitoring

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 includes a blood oxygen monitoring feature, but in the United States, data from the blood oxygen sensor can only be viewed on the iPhone due to an ongoing lawsuit Apple is fighting. In other countries, data is available right on the watch.

Blood oxygen saturation in a healthy individual is around 95 to 100 percent, and when the percentage of oxygen in the blood drops below that, it can be indicative of a serious health issue that needs immediate attention.

In the Ultra 4, green, red, and infrared LEDs shine light onto the blood vessels in the wrist, with photodiodes measuring the amount of light reflected back. Apple's algorithms then calculate the color of the blood, which is an indication of how much oxygen is present. The Ultra 4 can measure blood oxygen between 70 and 100 percent.

Activity Features

The Apple Watch Ultra tracks movement throughout the day like other Apple Watch models, keeping track of steps taken, calories burned, and workouts. It provides exercise, movement, and stand rings in the Activity app, and offers up reminders to help people get out and move more often.

apple watch ultra waypoint face

Depth App

Apple created a Depth app for the Apple Watch Ultra that uses a depth gauge when under water. The Depth app can display the time, current depth, water temperature (using the Apple Watch temperature sensor), the duration spent under the water, and the max depth reached.

depth gauge ultra watch

Apple has partnered with Huish Outdoors for the Oceanic+ app that is able to turn the Apple Watch Ultra into a dive computer. It offers dive planning, dive metrics, visual and haptic alerts, a no-decompression limit, ascent rate, and safety stop guidance. It runs using the Bühlmann decompression algorithm.

Tides App

There's also a dedicated Tides app that provides information on high and low tides, rising and falling tides, tide height and direction, and sunrise and sunset.

tides app watchos 11

Compass

The Apple Watch Ultra Compass app features an analog compass that displays a digital view of the current bearing and direction. A scroll of the Digital Crown brings up a view that shows bearing, elevation, incline, latitude, and longitude.

Apple Watch Ultra lifestyle adventure 220907 big

With the Action button or the Compass Waypoint option, a waypoint can be dropped that appears on the Compass face to mark a point of interest. Waypoints update dynamically in real time relative to the Apple Watch's position, providing an idea of the direction of the waypoint and its distance.

There's also a "Backtrack" feature that uses GPS to record a path of where the user has been, so if they get lost or disoriented, it is easy to find the way back to the starting point.

Battery Life

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 has improved battery life, and it lasts for up to 50 hours before it needs to be recharged. The Ultra 3 had a 42-hour battery life, so the Ultra 4 brings an 8-hour improvement.

With Low Power Mode and an additional battery savings option that cuts down on heart rate measurements during workouts, the Apple Watch Ultra's battery can last for up to 84 hours for multi-day adventures.

The battery lasts for up to 18 hours when using outdoor workout tracking, and up to 25 hours in Extended Workout mode with full GPS and heart rate readings. The battery lasts for up to 45 hours in Max Extended Workout mode with GPS readings every second.

The Apple Watch Ultra supports fast charging technology and comes with an Apple Watch charging puck with upgraded braided cable that allows for quicker charging speeds. It can charge to 80 percent in 45 minutes, so it also charges faster than the Ultra 3.

15 minutes of charging gives up to 18 hours of battery life as long as you use the charging puck that comes with the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Microphone and Speakers

There are three built-in microphones in the Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple says the microphones are meant to provide improved sound quality during calls even when conditions outside aren't ideal.

Apple Watch Ultra Orange Alpine Loop Action button 220907 big

There's an adaptive beamforming microphone that captures the user's voice while cutting down on background sounds, and in windy environments, the Apple Watch Ultra takes advantage of wind noise-reduction algorithms for clear audio during calls.

The Apple Watch Ultra is also equipped with dual speakers for improved audio volume for calls and Siri interactions.

Connectivity

All Apple Watch Ultra models feature cellular connectivity, but an additional service plan from a carrier is required to use the feature. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 supports 5G, and it is the only Apple Watch that supports satellite connectivity.

5G is available in multiple countries, but in some areas, the Apple Watch Ultra is limited to LTE.

The Apple Watch does not require an iPhone for an internet connection and it can connect to cellular networks on its own. Cellular connectivity through a carrier does require an iPhone because Apple Watch and iPhone cellular plans are linked.

Satellite Communications

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 supports two-way satellite communications, much like the iPhone. When Wi-Fi and cellular are not available in off the grid locations, satellite connectivity allows users to text emergency services, send messages to friends and family, and share their location with Find My.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 lifestyle hiking 250909

With Emergency SOS via satellite, users can contact emergency services and alert their emergency contacts with a few taps, similar to the Emergency SOS service that's available with a cellular connection.

If the Apple Watch Ultra 4 detects a fall or a car crash and the user is unresponsive, it can use satellite connectivity to send information to emergency services.

Find My via satellite lets users send their location once every 15 minutes to contacts that have been added to Find My, and Messages via satellite supports sending and receiving texts, emoji, and tapback reactions. This feature works with friends they've been in touch with over the last 30 days.

apple watch ultra 3 emergency satellite

Emergency SOS via satellite works without a cellular plan, while sending messages and sharing location requires an active cellular plan. Satellite connectivity is currently free.

W3 and UWB

Along with 5G/LTE, the Apple Watch Ultra features a W3 Apple wireless chip and a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip for interfacing with other devices equipped with UWB chips such as the modern iPhone models. It also supports Bluetooth 5.3.

The second-generation Ultra Wideband chip supports highly accurate short-range wireless that Apple says supports new experiences like Car Keys, the feature that allows an Apple Watch (or iPhone) to be used in lieu of a physical car key.

apple watch S9 precision finding iphone 15

The UWB chip also allows the Apple Watch to track AirTags, and it allows an Apple Watch to use Precision Finding to track down a misplaced iPhone, even if it is in the same room. With the HomePod, when an Apple Watch gets within four meters of a HomePod that is playing audio, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 shows a Now Playing interface for media control. If nothing is playing on the HomePod, the Apple Watch shows media suggestions at the top of the Smart Stack.

Siren

There is an 86-decibel emergency siren available on the Apple Watch Ultra that can be used in emergency situations to draw attention to a location. The sound uses two alternating patterns, including a distress pattern and a second that matches the universally recognized SOS pattern.

ultra siren watch

Apple says the siren can be heard up to 600 feet or 180 meters away. The siren can be activated by pressing and holding on the Action button or the side button.

GPS

The Apple Watch Ultra includes dual-frequency GPS that integrates the L1 frequency and the L5 frequency for better GPS accuracy, plus it has new positioning algorithms.

According to Apple, the Apple Watch Ultra provides the most accurate GPS of any Apple Watch to date for more precise distance, pace, and route data for training and competing purposes.

The L5 frequency is able to work better in urban environments where there are a lot of trees and other obstacles to deal with. Apple uses the GPS function with Apple Maps for more accurate road, bike, and trail routes.

Depth Gauge and Seal Check

Apple Watch Ultra owners can contact Apple to have Depth and Water Seal Tests conducted to make sure the depth gauge and seals are working. This can be done to assure those who use the watch for diving that it is in operational condition, and it can also be done if there is any damage done to the watch that might impact the seal.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch SE 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is being sold alongside the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch SE 3. Priced starting at $399, the Apple Watch Series 12 is available in aluminum, ceramic, or titanium, and it comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes.

Compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 4, the Apple Watch Series 12 has no satellite connectivity, does not feature a siren, has a shorter battery life, and is smaller with a less rugged casing.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is Apple's low-cost Apple Watch and it is priced starting at $249. It has an older design and lacks some health sensors such as the blood oxygen sensor and the ECG app.

What's Next for the Apple Watch Ultra

The Apple Watch Ultra likely won't get a design update until 2028 at the earliest.

Apple is working on noninvasive blood glucose monitoring technology for a future version of the Apple Watch. The feature is still several years away.

Apple is considering using LG Display's high-mobility oxide (HMO) thin-film transistor technology for the next Apple Watch OLED display in 2027.

Compared to the current LTPO display technology, HMO increases electron mobility for lower power consumption.

A future version of the Apple Watch could include support for Touch ID, though it is unclear how this might be implemented. Touch ID could go under the display, or be integrated into the side button. Touch ID on the Apple Watch could reduce reliance on numerical passcodes for unlocking, though the Apple Watch already has a wrist authentication feature for making purchases.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 Changelog

  • September 25 - Updated for the Apple Watch Ultra 4.
amazon
b&h photo
adorama
best buy
apple store
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Black with Black Alpine Loop (Large)
N/A
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Black with Black Alpine Loop (Medium)
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Black with Black Alpine Loop (Small)
N/A
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Black with Black Milanese Loop (Large)
N/A
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Black with Black Milanese Loop (Medium)
N/A
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Black with Black Milanese Loop (Small)
N/A
N/A
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Black with Black Ocean Band
N/A
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Black with Black/Charcoal Trail Loop (M/L)
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Black with Black/Charcoal Trail Loop (S/M)
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Natural with Anchor Blue Ocean Band
N/A
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Natural with Blue/Bright Blue Trail Loop (M/L)
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Natural with Blue/Bright Blue Trail Loop (S/M)
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Natural with Light Blue Alpine Loop (Large)
N/A
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Natural with Light Blue Alpine Loop (Medium)
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Natural with Light Blue Alpine Loop (Small)
N/A
N/A
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Natural with Natural Milanese Loop (Large)
N/A
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Natural with Natural Milanese Loop (Medium)
N/A
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (2025) - Natural with Natural Milanese Loop (Small)
N/A
N/A
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Black with Black Milanese Loop (Large)
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Black with Black Milanese Loop (Medium)
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Black with Black Milanese Loop (Small)
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Black with Burgundy Alpine Loop (Large)
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Black with Burgundy Alpine Loop (Medium)
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Black with Burgundy Alpine Loop (Small)
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Black with Burgundy Trail Loop (M/L)
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Black with Burgundy Trail Loop (S/M)
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Black with Translucent Black Ocean Band
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Natural with Desert Alpine Loop (Large)
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Natural with Desert Alpine Loop (Medium)
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Natural with Desert Alpine Loop (Small)
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Natural with Natural Milanese Loop (Large)
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Natural with Natural Milanese Loop (Medium)
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Natural with Natural Milanese Loop (Small)
N/A
$899.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Natural with Sand Trail Loop (M/L)
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Natural with Sand Trail Loop (S/M)
N/A
$799.00
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (2026) - Natural with Translucent Gray Ocean Band
N/A
$799.00

Apple Watch Ultra 4 Timeline

Roundup Last Updated
September2026

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors