Apple expected to unveil Ultra 4 smartwatch alongside Series 12 at September event

Apple is gearing up for a dual smartwatch launch at its September 9 event, with reports indicating that an Ultra 4 model will appear alongside the flagship Series 12. Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman says both devices are being equipped with a newer processor—either an S11 or possibly an S12 chip—to match the performance of the upcoming Series 12.

The original Ultra, introduced in 2022, offered a rugged titanium case, sapphire crystal display and features such as scuba diving support and satellite emergency messaging. The current Ultra 3 starts at $799, double the entry price of the Series 11, and analysts expect the Ultra 4’s price to rise further as Apple has increased hardware costs across its product line this year.

A faster chip would support WatchOS 27, which introduces an enhanced Siri AI capable of handling more complex, contextual queries and integrating information from Apple’s native apps. Early testing of the AI on the Ultra 3 showed functional improvements but also occasional lag, which a new processor could mitigate.

Battery life may also benefit from the processor upgrade. The Ultra 3 already provides roughly two days of use, though it still trails dedicated sports watches that can run for weeks on a single charge. Even modest efficiency gains could extend the Ultra’s runtime, addressing a common concern among Apple Watch users.

Design changes are not anticipated for the Ultra 4; it is expected to retain the same exterior as its predecessor, while the Series 12 may reintroduce ceramic cases. New software features in WatchOS 27 include expanded one-handed gestures, updated workout tracking, perimenopause insights and multilingual support for the Workout Buddy voice assistant.

Apple is also testing blood-pressure monitoring capabilities, though accuracy issues have delayed a rollout. A separate rumor suggests the company is exploring Touch ID integration for future watches, potentially debuting on the larger Ultra model, though details remain speculative.