Apple Watch Ultra 4 launches with upgraded health sensors and longer battery life
Apple's new Ultra 4 smartwatch, priced at $799, adds a second-generation electrical heart sensor, more RAM and up to eight extra hours of battery life, while retaining the Ultra 3’s design and price.
Apple began taking pre-orders for the Apple Watch Ultra 4, which will ship on September 18 at a starting price of $799, the same as the previous Ultra 3 model. The new version keeps the same titanium case and display but upgrades to an S11 chip, doubles RAM to 4 GB, and introduces a second-generation electrical heart sensor as part of a broader "Health Sensing System." The Vitals app now includes HRV data and a daytime vitals view, while the Readiness app offers real-time heart-rate complications.
Battery performance has been extended, with normal use lasting up to 50 hours and up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode, compared with 42 and 72 hours respectively on the Ultra 3. Charging speed also improves, delivering up to 18 hours of use after a 15-minute charge and up to 10 hours of sleep tracking after a 5-minute charge. The device adds Audio Intelligence features such as Live Rewind, Siri Recap, sound recognition and automatic music identification via Shazam.
Analysts note that the Ultra 4’s primary advantages are its more frequent heart-rate and HRV measurements, which feed into recovery and readiness tracking, and the modest battery gains that may benefit endurance athletes. For new buyers, the Ultra 4 is positioned as the default choice, while the Ultra 3 may remain attractive if offered at a significant discount or for users who do not need the enhanced health metrics.