Apple has introduced the Apple Watch Ultra 4, updating its flagship rugged smartwatch with an upgraded sensor suite, enhanced battery performance, and integrated machine learning tools powered by the new S11 chip. The device runs on watchOS 27 and is available in natural and black titanium finishes.
Hardware and Health Sensor Upgrades
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 centers on a newly engineered Health Sensing System paired with the S11 chip, incorporating upgraded optical and electrical sensors.
- Continuous Heart Rate & Recovery HRV: Larger, more power-efficient green LEDs measure heart rate passively every five seconds. Heart rate variability (HRV) sampling frequency has increased up to 24 times, splitting into two distinct metrics: Recovery HRV for daily recovery tracking and Overall HRV for broader cardiovascular assessment.
- Daily Readiness Score: Drawing from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, the new Readiness metric evaluates recent activity, training load, sleep metrics, and vitals to produce a 0–10 daily score with recommendations ranging from “Recover” to “Go For It.”
- Daytime Vitals: Complements the existing overnight vitals view, allowing users to monitor shifts in physiological metrics throughout the day.
- Redesigned Pedometer: An updated machine learning model improves distance estimation during indoor activities and general daily step counts, supported by a new on-screen Steps complication.
Battery Performance and Tracking Modes
Battery efficiency has been expanded across standard use and specialized activity tracking:
| Mode | Battery Life | Key Functionality |
| Standard Everyday | Up to 50 hours | Full smartwatch and sensor capabilities |
| Low Power Mode | Up to 84 hours | Core tracking with power conservation |
| Extended Workout | Up to 25 hours | Continuous GPS and heart rate monitoring |
| Max Extended Workout | Up to 45 hours | Continuous 1-second GPS intervals for endurance events |
A 15-minute quick charge provides up to 18 hours of typical use.
Audio Intelligence and Privacy
Leveraging the S11 chip and Apple Intelligence, the Ultra 4 introduces three conversation- and sound-focused capabilities:
- Sound Recognition: Identifies critical ambient noises (such as sirens, alarms, or a crying baby) directly on-wrist for deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
- Live Rewind: A double press of the Digital Crown displays a text snippet of the preceding 15 seconds of speech. The feature signals activation via a chime and on-screen animation.
- Siri Recap: Generates post-conversation summary bullets within the Siri app rather than verbatim transcripts.
To maintain privacy, processing occurs within a hardware-isolated Secure Exclave on the S11 chip, which purges audio data immediately after analysis. Raw recordings are not retained, speaker identity is omitted, and stored summaries are protected by end-to-end encryption.
Software, Ecosystem, and Design
The accompanying update to the iPhone Health app introduces an Insights tab, a Longevity tab with a “Health Age” assessment, and camera-assisted movement evaluations. U.S. users can also order 50-biomarker lab panels via Quest Diagnostics for USD 119 directly inside the app.
Under watchOS 27, the Ultra 4 supports Siri AI with contextual understanding, a single-handed tap gesture to select widgets in the Smart Stack, expanded cycle tracking for perimenopause and menopause, and on-device Workout Buddy guidance.
The watch features a 3D-printed case utilizing 100 percent recycled titanium and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. Alongside refreshed Alpine, Trail, and translucent silicone Ocean bands, a luxury Hermès edition introduces the Grand H titanium band and the ocean-depth-themed “Fathom and Wonder” watch face.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 specifications
- Case & Finish: Titanium (Natural, Black)
- Size & Weight: 49 × 44 × 12 mm | 63–63.1 g | Fits 130–210 mm wrists
- Display: 422×514 px LTPO3 OLED, Always-On, 1Hz refresh, up to 3,000 nits, Night Mode
- Chip & Storage: S11 dual-core, 4-core Neural Engine, 64GB
- Sensors: Heart (optical & electrical), Blood Oxygen, Temp, Depth, Compass, Altimeter, Accelerometer, Gyroscope
- Health & Fitness: ECG, Sleep Score, Heart Rate, Irregular Rhythm, Cycle Tracking, Multi-sport workouts
- Connectivity: 5G/LTE, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Bluetooth 5.3, Second‑generation Ultra Wideband chip, NFC, Precision dual‑frequency GPS (GPS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou)
- Battery: 50h normal, 84h Low Power Mode, 15 min fast charge = 18h use, 80% charge in about 45 minutes
- Safety & Durability: Emergency SOS, Crash/Fall Detection, Siren, Flashlight, Water 100 m, Dust IP6X, MIL-STD 810H
- OS: watchOS 27
Pricing and Availability
Priced at Rs. 1,09,900 for the alpine loop, trail loop, and ocean band versions and Rs. 1,24,900 for the Titanium Milanese Loop version, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 pre-orders are live, with in-store sales beginning Friday, September 18.