The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is tipped to arrive next month, with fresh leaks pointing to the biggest under-the-hood upgrade the rugged wearable has seen in years.
Apple already locked in a September 9 event, and the Ultra 4 is widely expected to headline the wearables side of that show. Rumors disagree on how much the watch’s exterior will change. But they do agree on one thing: A faster chip is on the way.
Apple Watch Ultra 4: New top-of-the-line smartwatch
The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple’s line of high-end smartwatches designed for people who want a more rugged, capable wearable, particularly athletes, outdoor adventurers and anyone who values longer battery life and a tougher design.
These models sit above the standard Apple Watch lineup. The Series 11 is the mainstream choice for everyday use, while the Ultra offers a larger, more durable case, more battery life and features aimed at demanding activities.
Apple is expected to introduce the Apple Watch Ultra 4 at its Surprise and Shine event on September 9, likely alongside the next-generation Apple Watch Series 12.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 chip gets a long-overdue boost
Apple’s S10 chip in 2024 didn’t deliver much in the way of dramatic year-over-year performance gains to any Apple Watch. It focused more on efficiency and new features than raw speed. And then last year’s Apple Watch Ultra 3 shipped with the same S10 chip that powered its predecessor — a letdown for anyone hoping for real speed gains.
But that pattern could break this year, with the new Apple silicon expected to carry an S11 label. If true, this would mark the first true performance jump for Apple Watch since the S9 chip landed in 2023. That extra power should not only help Siri AI feel snappier on the wrist, but also make app launches faster.
Design rumors are all over the place
Here’s where the picture gets messy. One report from Digitimes says the Ultra 4 could look very different than its predecessors. That includes a thinner case and a possible fingerprint sensor to unlock the watch.
The same report also claims the number of onboard sensors could roughly double compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
But reporting by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman’s tells a different story. He does not expect any major design changes for the Ultra 4, and has downplayed the odds of Touch ID showing up.
Health tracking could see a meaningful update
Upgraded blood pressure monitoring is the headline health rumor when it comes to Apple Watch Ultra 4. The Ultra 3 already offers hypertension alerts, a feature that flags long-term patterns rather than giving a specific reading.
Leaks suggest the Ultra 4 could make hypertension alerts better. Reports point to a more detailed blood pressure trend, but a true on-wrist numeric reading looks unlikely.
Meanwhile, noninvasive blood glucose monitoring remains the healthcare industry’s long-sought holy grail. Apple’s been working on adding this feature to the Apple Watch for years, but it almost certainly remains a distant dream.
Battery life remains an open question
Battery life is one of the biggest selling points of the Apple Watch Ultra series. Apple rated the original at 36 hours of normal use, and the Ultra 3 beefed that up to 42 hours. Still, reviewers consistently find that real-world endurance for these rugged smartwatches could be considerably better.
If the Apple Watch Ultra 4 comes with a faster and more efficient chip, it could help the battery stretch a bit further. But exact battery figures haven’t leaked yet.
When will the Apple Watch Ultra 4 launch?
Apple’s Surprise and Shine product launch event is set for September 9. The Ultra 4 is expected to sit alongside the Apple Watch Series 12 and the next iPhone lineup on the agenda.
If Apple follows its usual patterns, preorders for all these devices will open later that week, with shipping starting the following week.
Pricing predictions for the Apple Watch Ultra 4 remain murky right now. Apple has held the starting price of the Ultra series at $799 since its 2022 debut. Some reports expect that streak to continue, while others say rising component costs could finally push the price higher.
With a chip upgrade, better battery life, enhanced health tracking and a possible design tweak, this looks like the most interesting Apple Watch Ultra update in years.
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
