Apple Watch Ultra 4 Is Here: Price, Battery Life and Everything Apple Announced

Apple Watch Ultra 4 is official. It keeps the one-size 49mm titanium approach, but the practical story is much bigger than the case: long battery life, dual-frequency GPS, cellular as standard, satellite safety features, a 3,000-nit display and water sports support that reaches far beyond the regular Series watch.

How Much Does Apple Watch Ultra 4 Cost?

Ultra 4 is not sold as a GPS-only version. The $799 starting price includes the 49mm titanium case and GPS + Cellular capability. Apple’s Store data lists a range up to $899, with the final price determined by the selected case finish and band configuration.

When Is Apple Watch Ultra 4 Released?

Apple’s U.S. Store describes Apple Watch Ultra 4 as a preorder product that is available starting September 18. The shipping or pickup date shown at checkout can vary by case finish, band and local inventory.

This page uses Apple’s U.S. date and pricing. Availability, taxes, carrier plans and certain features can differ in other countries or regions.

Ultra 4 Design: 49mm Titanium in Natural or Black

Every Apple Watch Ultra 4 has a 49mm titanium case. Apple offers two finishes: Natural titanium and Black titanium. Unlike Series 12, there is no smaller Ultra case size and no aluminum or ceramic case option.

Apple lists compatible Ultra 4 configurations with Ocean Band, Alpine Loop, Trail Loop and titanium Milanese Loop options. The right band is not only a color decision: Apple positions Ocean Band for water activities, Alpine Loop for outdoor use and Trail Loop as a light, adjustable everyday option. Check the individual band’s water-resistance guidance before using it in water.

Display: A 3,000-Nit Always-On Retina Screen

Ultra 4 has an Always-On Retina display with a wide-angle OLED panel, LTPO3 technology and peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits. Apple’s official comparison places its brightness above the 2,000-nit Series 12 display.

This is a functional upgrade for outdoor activity: a brighter screen can be easier to read in strong daylight, while the wide-angle OLED is intended to support quick off-axis glances. The 49mm case also gives it a larger physical display area than Series 12’s 42mm and 46mm options.

Ultra 4 Battery Life: 50 Hours, or 84 Hours in Low Power Mode

Apple rates Apple Watch Ultra 4 for up to 50 hours of battery life, or up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode. Apple’s multi-day battery test includes time checks, notifications, app use, two 60-minute workouts with music playback over Bluetooth and 12 hours of sleep tracking over 50 hours.

Apple says Ultra 4 can fast charge from 0–80% in about 45 minutes with the included Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable and a compatible Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter. Apple also says a 15-minute charge can provide up to 18 hours of battery life.

Dual-Frequency GPS, Cellular and 5G

Ultra 4 uses Precision dual-frequency GPS, Apple’s higher-end location setup for outdoor activity. It is distinct from the Precision L1 GPS Apple lists for Series 12. The Ultra 4 also has cellular as standard and is 5G capable.

With a supported carrier plan, the watch can handle calls, messages, notifications, Apple Music and Apple Podcasts without the paired iPhone nearby. Cellular service depends on the carrier, plan and coverage. Confirm that all three support Apple Watch service before relying on it for an outdoor or travel routine.

Satellite Features: Emergency SOS, Find My and Messages

Apple lists Emergency SOS, Find My and Messages via satellite on Ultra 4. Apple says these satellite features are included for free for two years with activation of Apple Watch Ultra 3 or later, which includes Ultra 4.

Satellite service is designed for places without ordinary cellular and Wi-Fi coverage; it is not a replacement for a full-time network connection. For satellite SMS through a cellular Apple Watch, Apple says the paired iPhone must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or active cellular, though it does not have to be nearby. Availability, timing and response can vary with location and site conditions.

Water Resistance, Diving and High-Speed Water Sports

Apple Watch Ultra 4 has a 100-meter water-resistance rating under ISO standard 22810:2010. Apple says it can be used for swimming, snorkeling, recreational scuba diving with a compatible third-party App Store app to 40 meters, and high-speed water sports. It should not be used below 40 meters.

Ultra 4 also has a depth gauge to 40 meters and a water-temperature sensor. That is a different level of official water support from Series 12, which is water resistant to 50 meters, has a depth gauge to 6 meters, and is not intended for scuba or high-velocity water sports.

Water resistance is not permanent and can diminish over time. Rinse and care guidance, the age and condition of the watch, and the specific band still matter after any water activity.

Health, Sleep and Vitals Features

Apple lists Recovery HRV, high-frequency background heart-rate tracking, hypertension notifications, the ECG app, high and low heart-rate notifications, irregular-rhythm notifications, low-cardio-fitness notifications and the Blood Oxygen app for Ultra 4.

The Vitals app can present heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration and heart-rate variability. For sleep, Apple lists sleep tracking, sleep apnea notifications and Sleep Score. Ultra 4 also has wrist-temperature sensing and Cycle Tracking features including improved period predictions, fertile-window estimates, retrospective ovulation estimates and perimenopause and menopause support.

Safety Tools: Siren, Fall Detection and Emergency SOS

Apple lists a Siren, Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, Emergency SOS via satellite and international emergency calling for Ultra 4. The Siren is an Ultra-specific on-watch alert designed to help draw attention in an emergency.

Emergency SOS depends on a satellite connection, cellular connection or Wi-Fi calling with internet access from the watch or a nearby iPhone. It should be treated as an additional safety layer, not a guarantee of emergency access in every situation.

Apple Intelligence, Audio Intelligence and Siri AI

Apple lists Apple Intelligence, Audio Intelligence and Siri AI for Ultra 4. Apple’s Audio Intelligence feature set includes Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Sound Recognition and faster Shazam.

Apple says Live Rewind and Siri Recap will arrive in beta in late 2026. They require an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 16 or later, excluding iPhone 16e, will start in English and will not initially be available in the EU. Certain server-based features have daily limits, so availability depends on more than owning the watch itself.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 vs Apple Watch Series 12

Choose Ultra 4 for endurance, high-visibility outdoor use, satellite access, location tools and water sports where its official rating applies. Choose Series 12 if its smaller sizes, lower price or broader case-material choice fit your day better. Both list the S11 chip, 5G-capable cellular options, the same core health and sleep categories, and Apple Intelligence features subject to availability.

What iPhone Do You Need for Apple Watch Ultra 4?

Apple says Ultra 4 requires an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 27 or later. Apple Watch works with iPhone, not Android phones. Update the paired iPhone and confirm your carrier plan before setting up cellular on the watch.

Should You Buy Apple Watch Ultra 4?

Ultra 4 is a specialized Apple Watch, not just a larger Series model. Its official differentiators are concrete: longer battery testing, satellite access, a siren, dual-frequency GPS, a brighter display and the water rating required for the activities Apple lists. If those conditions match how you use a watch, the $799 entry price has a clear purpose.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 FAQ