Apple Watch Ultra 4 has been officially introduced with an upgraded Health Sensing System, the S11 chip, and extended battery life for outdoor training. The new smartwatch provides continuous heart rate tracking every five seconds alongside enhanced heart rate variability measurements.
Hardware Specifications and the S11 Chip
The device features an updated optical sensor with larger green LEDs and electrical heart sensors. Powered by the S11 chip, the watch delivers improved machine learning processing for step tracking and motion detection. It also incorporates a hardware-isolated compartment called Secure Exclave to process audio data locally without storing recordings.
Advanced Metrics in Apple Watch Ultra 4
A core addition to Apple Watch Ultra 4 is the readiness metric, which calculates a daily score from 0 to 10 based on recent activity, sleep scores, and vital signs. The system provides actionable guidance ranging from recovery to high exertion. Users can view daytime vitals alongside overnight metrics to detect physiological shifts early.
Overnight vitals now incorporate recovery HRV analyzed against a user’s personal baseline. These continuous passive measurements expand insights into physical stress and cardiovascular response throughout daily activities.
“The new Health Sensing System and S11 chip take Apple Watch Ultra 4 — our most rugged and capable Apple Watch — to the next level, delivering longer battery life, faster charging, and the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable.”
Kaiann Drance, Vice President of Worldwide Apple Watch Product Marketing
Battery Life and Extended Workout Modes
Battery performance reaches up to 50 hours in normal use and up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode. A 15-minute charge provides approximately 18 hours of operation. For outdoor athletes, Extended Workout mode offers up to 25 hours of continuous GPS and heart rate tracking, while Max Extended Workout mode extends tracking up to 45 hours.
Software Updates and Pricing
The device runs watchOS 27, introducing single-handed tap gestures, dynamic app grids, and on-wrist artificial intelligence features such as Sound Recognition and Live Rewind. The watch is constructed using 45 percent recycled materials, including recycled titanium and cobalt, connecting directly with smart devices in the ecosystem.
Pre-orders for the Apple Watch Ultra 4 begin today at a starting price of SAR 3,599, with retail store availability starting Friday, September 18.
