Apple unveils Watch Ultra 4 with upgraded sensors, faster processor and extended workout modes
The Apple Watch Ultra 4, starting at $799, adds a new S11 processor, redesigned health sensors and longer-duration workout modes, while maintaining roughly 50 hours of battery life.
Apple introduced the Watch Ultra 4, priced from $799, featuring a new S11 processor and a reengineered sensor array that expands the electrode count to 32. The redesign enables heart-rate measurements every five seconds and heart-rate variability readings every five minutes, a significant increase over earlier models. Apple says the higher sampling frequency supports a real-time "Readiness" score that reflects how the body recovers throughout the day.
The Vitals app now includes a Daytime toggle that displays daytime heart-rate and HRV data alongside overnight metrics, though the feature unlocks after a week of data collection. The Ultra 4 and the Series 12 also add Audio Intelligence tools, such as Live Rewind, which lets users replay the previous 15 seconds of a conversation, and Siri Recap, which can generate summaries of spoken interactions. Apple notes that only user-saved transcripts are stored.
Battery capacity has been modestly increased, giving an estimated 50-hour life, up from 42 hours on the Ultra 3. For endurance athletes, Apple offers two low-battery workout modes: Extended Workout, which can record up to 25 hours by disabling the always-on display and form metrics, and Max Extended Workout, which can last up to 48 hours with reduced GPS precision and averaged heart-rate data.
Pre-orders for the Ultra 4 and Series 12 began after the company's Surprise and Shine event, with shipments slated for September 18.