95
CNETT1Sep 25, 2026
“I don’t usually recommend upgrading from last year’s model (save money where you can), but this year may be the exception.”
By Vanessa Hand Orellana · Rated 9.2/10Full review
Watch
Apple Watch Ultra 4
Apple · From $799
Release date Sep 18, 2026
85
Critical Gold
Based on 9 Critic Reviews
8 with a published score, 1 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Oct 6, 2026
Early score: only 9 reviews so far
4 Rave5 Positive
Critics' Take
Critics call the Apple Watch Ultra 4 the best Apple Watch yet, led by a new Health Sensing System with continuous heart rate tracking, the Readiness score and battery life of up to 50 hours. The design, display and $799 price are unchanged, so most reviewers say Ultra 3 owners can skip it. Wired and Expert Reviews note that the cheaper Series 12 shares most of the new health features.
What critics loved
- Up to 50 hours of battery life, with 15-minute fast charging
- New Health Sensing System with continuous heart rate and HRV tracking
- Daily Readiness score
- Same $799 price as the Ultra 3
Common gripes
- Design and display unchanged from the Ultra 3
- Only one large 49mm case size
- Series 12 shares most of the new health features for much less
- Some headline features, such as Audio Intelligence, were not available at launch
- Modest upgrade for Ultra 3 owners
Critic Scorecard
9 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:T1100%T275%T340%T420%
95
Tom's GuideT2Sep 17, 2026
“This is, without question, the best Apple Watch Ultra yet.”
By Jane McGuire · Rated 4.5/5Full review
93
MashableT2Sep 17, 2026
“If you're an athlete, especially an endurance athlete, who needs the best battery life and the best heart rate measurement system available, then the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is an essential upgrade, even if you have an older version.”
Published as a review in progress with a score; some features were not yet available.
By Stan Schroeder · Rated 4.5/5Full review
85
PCMagT2Sep 17, 2026
“The Apple Watch Ultra 4 isn't a radical redesign, but its jaw-dropping 74-hour battery life, faster S11 chip, and precision health tracking make it the ultimate smartwatch for outdoor adventurers and power users willing to pay for top-tier endurance.”
By Andrew Gebhart · Rated 4/5Full review
81
GizmodoT2Sep 29, 2026
“For iPhone users, the Watch Ultra 4 is the very best smartwatch that Apple offers.”
The review says it is incomplete because some features, such as Audio Intelligence, were not yet available.
By Raymond Wong · Rated 4/5Full review
81
Trusted ReviewsT2Oct 5, 2026
“The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is Apple’s most capable smartwatch yet, combining longer battery life with more detailed health and training insights and a selection of promising Audio Intelligence features.”
By Michael Sawh · Rated 4/5Full review
Show 3 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
81
Expert ReviewsT3Oct 6, 2026
“If you’re an iOS user after a rugged smartwatch, though, the Watch Ultra 4 is a great smartwatch that does plenty right if you’re willing to pay the premium.”
By Britta O'Boyle · Rated 4/5Full review
76
WiredT1Sep 18, 2026
“The gap between them seems to shrink a little further every year, leaving fewer reasons to pay $799 for the beefier version.”
By Boutayna Chokrane · Rated 8/10Full review
75
DC RainmakerT3Sep 17, 2026
“Overall, I suspect the Ultra 4 will become one of the two watches that stays on my wrists year round, replacing the Ultra 3 that sat there over the past year.”
By Ray Maker · Unrated, scored from textFull review
81
Expert ReviewsT3Oct 6, 2026
“If you’re an iOS user after a rugged smartwatch, though, the Watch Ultra 4 is a great smartwatch that does plenty right if you’re willing to pay the premium.”
By Britta O'Boyle · Rated 4/5Full review
81
Trusted ReviewsT2Oct 5, 2026
“The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is Apple’s most capable smartwatch yet, combining longer battery life with more detailed health and training insights and a selection of promising Audio Intelligence features.”
By Michael Sawh · Rated 4/5Full review
81
GizmodoT2Sep 29, 2026
“For iPhone users, the Watch Ultra 4 is the very best smartwatch that Apple offers.”
The review says it is incomplete because some features, such as Audio Intelligence, were not yet available.
By Raymond Wong · Rated 4/5Full review
95
CNETT1Sep 25, 2026
“I don’t usually recommend upgrading from last year’s model (save money where you can), but this year may be the exception.”
By Vanessa Hand Orellana · Rated 9.2/10Full review
76
WiredT1Sep 18, 2026
“The gap between them seems to shrink a little further every year, leaving fewer reasons to pay $799 for the beefier version.”
By Boutayna Chokrane · Rated 8/10Full review
95
Tom's GuideT2Sep 17, 2026
“This is, without question, the best Apple Watch Ultra yet.”
By Jane McGuire · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Show 3 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
93
MashableT2Sep 17, 2026
“If you're an athlete, especially an endurance athlete, who needs the best battery life and the best heart rate measurement system available, then the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is an essential upgrade, even if you have an older version.”
Published as a review in progress with a score; some features were not yet available.
By Stan Schroeder · Rated 4.5/5Full review
85
PCMagT2Sep 17, 2026
“The Apple Watch Ultra 4 isn't a radical redesign, but its jaw-dropping 74-hour battery life, faster S11 chip, and precision health tracking make it the ultimate smartwatch for outdoor adventurers and power users willing to pay for top-tier endurance.”
By Andrew Gebhart · Rated 4/5Full review
75
DC RainmakerT3Sep 17, 2026
“Overall, I suspect the Ultra 4 will become one of the two watches that stays on my wrists year round, replacing the Ultra 3 that sat there over the past year.”
By Ray Maker · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Quick Facts
- Case
- 49mm titanium, natural or black
- Display
- Always-On LTPO3 wide-angle OLED, up to 3,000 nits
- Chip
- S11
- Battery life
- Up to 50 hours normal use; 18 hours workout tracking
- Fast charging
- 15 minutes for up to 18 hours of use
- Water resistance
- WR100 (100 meters)
- Connectivity
- 5G cellular and satellite emergency communications
- Weight
- About 63 g
- Price
- From $799