Apple has unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 4. The outdoor smartwatch features a completely redesigned Health Sensing System, the new S11 chip, and up to 50 hours of battery life for everyday use. Pre-orders have been open since September 9, 2026, and the watch will be available in stores starting September 18, with prices starting at 899 euros.
Little has changed in terms of design; the Ultra 4 retains its 49-mm titanium case. Under the hood, however, Apple has made significant improvements, particularly in health monitoring and battery life.
Key Features at a Glance
- New Health Sensing System: Heart rate is measured every 5 seconds—60 times more frequently than before
- New S11 chip—according to Apple, the company’s most powerful wearable chip
- Up to 50 hours of battery life in everyday use, 84 hours in power-saving mode, 15 minutes of charging for 18 hours
- New “Daily Form” feature with recommendations on whether to rest or get moving
- Starting at 899 euros; pre-orders are already open, and it goes on sale September 18, 2026
Apple Watch Ultra 4: New Health Sensing System for more precise health data
Just like the Apple Watch Series 12, which was unveiled at the same time, the Ultra 4 features Apple’s new Health Sensing System. Redesigned optical and electrical heart sensors will measure heart rate every 5 seconds—according to Apple, 60 times more frequently than its predecessor. The watch even tracks heart rate variability 24 times more frequently. Apple is therefore marketing the Ultra 4 as the wearable with the most accurate heart rate measurement to date.
Based on this data, the watch calculates a new Daily Fitness score between 0 and 10 every day. It summarizes activity, workout intensity, vital signs, and sleep, and provides one of four recommendations: recover, pace yourself, ready, or go.
Earlier rumors had also suggested the inclusion of dedicated sensors for blood pressure alerts. There is no mention of this in Apple’s official announcement; the feature apparently did not make it into the final version.
Audio Intelligence: Sound Recognition, Live Rewind, and Shazam on Your Wrist
New in watchOS 27 is Apple’s Audio Intelligence. The Ultra 4 automatically recognizes certain ambient sounds—such as sirens, alarms, or doorbells—processes the audio data entirely on the device, and works even without a paired iPhone. With Live Rewind, you can quickly rewind to a missed moment in an ongoing call or video, while Siri Recap summarizes missed notifications. Shazam now recognizes music playing directly through the watch, without needing a smartphone in hand.
S11 Chip, More Accurate Step Counting, and GPS
The new S11 chip is said to deliver the best performance ever in an Apple Watch, thanks to an improved CPU, GPU, and NPU. New machine-learning algorithms also ensure more accurate step counting, especially during indoor activities where GPS reaches its limits. When it comes to location tracking, Apple touts the most precise on-device GPS ever built into a sports watch.
Battery Life: 50 Hours in Everyday Use, 15 Minutes for 18 Hours
Apple has really stepped up its game when it comes to the battery: According to the manufacturer, the Ultra 4 lasts up to 50 hours in everyday use and up to 84 hours in power-saving mode. If you use the watch in the mode designed for maximum extended workout tracking, you’ll get up to 45 hours of battery life. A 15-minute charge provides up to 18 hours of battery life.
Design, Materials, and Colors
Little has changed in terms of form factor: The Ultra 4 retains its 49-mm case made of aerospace-grade titanium, available in either natural or black, with a sapphire crystal display and up to 3,000 nits of brightness. It is water-resistant to WR100 / ISO 22810:2010, making it suitable for recreational diving to 40 meters; additionally, the case is dust-resistant to IP6X.
Several new strap colors are available: Trail Loop in dark brown, sand, and burgundy; Alpine Loop in desert, dark olive, and burgundy; and the translucent Ocean Band in gray, kelp green, and black. For those who prefer a more elegant look, the Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 4 comes with a Grand H titanium band for the first time.
| Feature | Apple Watch Ultra 4 |
|---|---|
| Case | 49 mm titanium (natural or black), sapphire crystal, up to 3,000 nits |
| Chip | S11 |
| Battery | Up to 50 hours in normal mode, 84 hours in power-saving mode, 45 hours in extended workout mode |
| Charging | 15 min for up to 18 hours of runtime |
| Water/Dust Resistance | WR100 / ISO 22810:2010, IP6X |
| Price | Starting at 899 euros |
watchOS 27 and Apple Intelligence
To complement the Ultra 4, watchOS 27 features a dynamic app grid with Siri suggestions and a one-handed tap gesture for widget access. Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI are set to launch on September 14, 2026, initially in English; Apple plans to add additional languages, including German, starting in October.
The Ultra 4 wasn’t the only new device unveiled that day: Apple also showcased its first foldable iPhone during the same keynote. Full details on the iPhone Duo can be found in our separate article.
Price and Availability of the Apple Watch Ultra 4
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 has been available for pre-order since September 9, 2026, and will be available in stores starting Friday, September 18, 2026. The starting price is 899 euros (including VAT); in the U.S., it starts at $799. In addition to Germany, sales will begin in the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K., France, Japan, India, and more than 50 other countries.
“With longer battery life, faster charging, and the most accurate heart rate monitoring we’ve ever built, we’re taking the Ultra to the next level.”
Kaiann Drance, VP of Worldwide Apple Watch Product Marketing at Apple
Conclusion: Evolution, Not Revolution
Apple has made virtually no changes to the Apple Watch Ultra 4’s case, but has invested heavily in the battery and health sensors. Anyone currently wearing an Ultra 2 or older model will get a substantial upgrade with significantly longer battery life and more accurate vital signs. Owners of the Ultra 3, on the other hand, might want to think twice about whether it’s worth 899 euros just one year after the last model change.
Further information and ordering options are available on Apple’s official product page; the full press release can be found in the Apple Newsroom.
