Apple isn’t changing the look of the Apple Watch Ultra 4, but it has dramatically updated its sensors. The new premium smartwatch features new internals, an updated sensor module, and a suite of software features that should make it better for athletes and casual users, alike.
The new “Health Sensing System” features a redesigned photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor that lets it capture live heart rate data throughout the day rather than just during sleep or workouts. Apple says heart rate variance data is captured 24 times more frequently, while normal heart rate is captured five times more frequently. Combined, the company says both new Apple Watches have the “most accurate heart rate sensor in a wearable.”
In terms of software, the Ultra 4 is using that extra data in updated versions of the Heart Rate and Vitals apps. The company is also adding a new Readiness score that captures your body’s ability to take on the day. At the start of the day, Readiness uses your health data to place you into one of four categories: Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, or Go For It. You can view your score in the redesigned Health app with new Apple Intelligence summaries or directly on your Apple Watch Ultra 4. The new Health app also includes features clearly inspired by Whoop, like Health Age, which shows how certain health metrics are tracking relative to your age.
See Apple Watch Ultra 4 at Apple.com
Using the Ultra 4’s microphone, Apple is also adding what it calls “Audio Intelligence” to the watch. Sound Recognition can recognize sound in the world around, a boon for anyone hard of hearing. Using Live Rewind, your Apple Watch can also display a transcript of something you just heard. Finally, the company says Siri Recap can take notes throughout the day and offer a recap of the things you’ve heard throughout the day. To keep things private, Apple claims audio is not recorded or stored, audio that’s captured can’t be accessed, and speakers aren’t identified.
All of these new features are powered by the Ultra 4’s S11 chip, which unlocks on-device Apple Intelligence and over 2 days of battery life, and even 45 hours when you’re using all of the watch’s sensors to track a workout. The company claims the new chip and an updated step-tracking algorithm also make the Ultra 4 “the most accurate step tracking of any smartwatch.”
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is available in natural titanium and black titanium and starts at $799, notably the same price as last year’s model. You can pre-order the Apple Watch Ultra 4 today, and it will be available September 18.
