Apple's high-end smartwatch just got a massive performance boost, as the Apple Watch Ultra 4 now boasts the powerful S11 chip.
On Wednesday, alongside the long-awaited iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 made its debut. The new model is somewhat of a spec-bump upgrade, offering improved battery life with the same tried-and-true design.
With the Apple Watch Ultra 4, Apple has also increased power efficiency, with a battery life of up to 50 hours, or 84 hours in Low Power mode. Additionally, Apple says that its Apple Watch Ultra 4 features the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable.
Its photodiodes are arranged in a ring, while a larger electrode surface has been included for improved skin contact during ECG readings. Larger green LEDs, with improved power efficiency, are used for heart rate tracking.
Apple has also completely redesigned the pedometer model, adding machine learning algorithms to improve the accuracy of step measurements and distance measurements during indoor walk or run workouts. Apple claims the Apple Watch Ultra 4 has the most accurate step tracking of any smartwatch. Thanks to the S11 chip, there's also an all-new Steps complication, letting users track their steps in real time from their watch face.
New Apple Intelligence features have made their way to the Apple Watch as well. Sound recognition is used to detect sirens, doorbells, and more, while Live Rewind lets you replay conversations, with transcripts going back 15 seconds. Siri Recap takes notes during your conversations and creates summaries, available in the Siri app.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is also accompanied by a redesigned Health app on iOS 27, which includes new Insights and Longevity tabs, as well as a Health Age metric.
Color options for the Apple Watch Ultra 4 include Black Titanium and Natural Titanium. Apple has also added new band colors and a new titanium Hermes band.
Overall, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 presents a compelling upgrade, offering improved performance, battery life, new health features, and more, all in a familiar package.
