Apple Watch Ultra 4 release date expectations, price estimates and upgrades
Apple Watch Ultra for illustrative purposes. | Image by PhoneArena
Apple Watch Ultra 4: what to expect
What’s expected to change vs Apple Watch Ultra 3:
Expected release timeline:
- New S-series chip, expected to improve efficiency and responsiveness
- Touch ID for authentication and security
- Marginally larger display, without changing the overall rugged identity
- Slightly thinner chassis, making the Ultra more comfortable to wear daily
- Revised sensor layout, possibly preparing for future health features
- No confirmed breakthrough health sensors, including no glucose monitoring sensor
- watchOS 27
Expected release timeline:
- Expected announcement in September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 lineup.
- The timepiece should become available within the same month.
- No rumors of a price hike for the Apple Watch Ultra so far.
- Apple has held the Ultra line steady at $799 for three generations in a row, and Ultra 4 will possibly keep the same price.
Jump to:
Apple Watch Ultra 4 release date
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 lineup and Apple's first foldable iPhone (potentially) in September.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra | September 7, 2022 | September 23, 2022 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | September 12, 2023 | September 22, 2023 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | September 9, 2025 | September 19, 2025 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | September 2026* | September 2026* |
* - probable dates
After the announcement, the Ultra 4 will likely have a short pre-order period and is expected to be commercially available in stores after that.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 price
The potential price of the Apple Watch Ultra 4 has not leaked just yet. Currently, it is expected that the rugged timepiece will keep the same price as the Ultra 3.
| Apple Watch model | 49mm GPS + Cellular |
|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra | $799 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | $799 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | $799 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | $799 |
*- anticipated price
However, it's important to keep in mind that we have a challenging situation in the mobile market right now, with components becoming more expensive. Across the board, we're seeing price hikes.
We don't know yet if the Apple Watch Ultra 4 will be affected by the price hikes, though.
Meanwhile, the Cupertino tech giant is still keeping its lead as the world's top smartwatch vendor in terms of shipments.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 design
Leaks are starting to give us an idea of what to expect from Apple's upcoming rugged smartwatch.
Multiple reports are now suggesting that Cupertino may finally refresh the design after three almost-identical generations. Expect improvements in thinness as the most noticeable change.
Luckily, a thinner Apple Watch Ultra 4 means a more comfortable wearable, since the display is already big. A larger display is also in the rumors.
Generally, the rugged design that we're familiar with is staying, though. Expect a titanium case, flat display, and the Digital Crown and Action Button to remain similar to last year.
Another noticeable change with the design this year would be the addition of Touch ID. Rumor has it that the Apple Watch Ultra 4 may integrate the Touch ID into the side button. Other potential places for Apple to place the Touch ID sensor could be on the Action button. Leaks have yet to specify where Touch ID will be implemented.
Meanwhile, we've also heard talks about a new sensor layout. These rumors have been going around for quite a while now, and it's not confirmed whether they're about the Apple Watch Ultra 4 or another Apple Watch further down the line.
These new sensors could be linked to new health capabilities, but presently, we don't know much about them.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 display
The Ultra 4's display has not been specified in leaks just yet. Some rumors suggest it may become slightly bigger, but apart from that, it is still under wraps.
We may see an improvement in brightness, but the previous Ultra displays were also pretty bright.
All in all, we're likely seeing a gorgeous OLED display with great colors and good viewing angles.
For reference, the Ultra 3 brought an upgrade with the use of LTPO3 for its display, which allowed the smartwatch to refresh the display at just 1 Hz, helping the Always-on feature to consume even less power. The Watch Ultra 4 is likely to keep this new tech as well.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 battery
Rumors are silent thus far on potential Apple Watch Ultra 4 battery capacity increases. Despite that, though, longer battery life is one of the main reasons users prefer the Ultra over the regular Apple Watches.
We are likely to see improvements to the battery life with the new, more power-efficient chip, but a serious hardware upgrade is not expected.
For reference, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 already delivers around 42 hours in standard use and up to 72 hours in Low-Power Mode. This is still pretty good, especially for an Apple Watch.
As for charging, the Ultra 4's predecessor got fairly fast charging. You get around 80% of battery in just 45 minutes, which is definitely faster than previous Apple Watch models. It is unclear if Apple will bring an upgrade for the Ultra 4's charging.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 features and software
Some of the notable features from previous models include:
- Advanced workout tracking
- Emergency SOS and satellite connectivity
- Dive and outdoor navigation tools
- Sleep tracking, ECG, blood oxygen, wrist temperature
- Hypertension notifications (if expanded)
Health sensors
Reports of eight sensors on the underside of an upcoming Apple Watch suggest Apple is continuing to invest in health monitoring. So far, no source has confirmed new medical-grade capabilities, though.
Something that's almost certain is that blood glucose monitoring is not happening this time around. According to analysts, Apple has proof-of-concept tech ready. However, the accuracy of the feature is not there yet, so it's likely not getting released to consumers with the Ultra 4.
The health features that the Ultra 3 sported are also likely to be kept, including heart rate monitoring, ECG, irregular rhythm notifications, high and low rate, respiratory rate, and hypertension alerts.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 hardware and specs
We expect a new chip to power the Series 12 and the Ultra 4 smartwatches, as per tradition. This year, the processor should be the S11 chip.
Apple Watch Ultra 4's expected specs:
- CPU: S11 chip
- Connectivity: Cellular, 5G, satellite SOS
- Battery life: Up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode or slightly more
- Materials: Titanium
- Sizes: One Ultra size
- Storage: 64GB
- Sensors: Expanded sensor array
This new chip may gain AI optimizations, similarly to the trend in mobile tech right now. Also, it's going to be more power efficient, which should offer an improvement in battery life.
Should I wait for the Apple Watch Ultra 4?
- You should wait for the Apple Watch Ultra 4 if you want to upgrade to a slimmer version of Apple's ultimate smartwatch. Otherwise, there is not much else that would elicit an upgrade based on the leaks we've seen so far, unless Apple introduces a new feature or an improvement to an old one, or somehow improves the battery life even more.
- You should not wait for the Apple Watch Ultra 4if the slimmer design is not essential to you. While the rumors say the new model will be thinner, we don't know by how much. There is quite a bit of time until September, so if you need a rugged smartwatch for any specific plans, then it is best to get one right now. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is already pretty great, and it doesn't seem like it will be too different from its successor.
Follow us on Google News
Popular stories
Latest News
