Apple Watch Ultra 4 Review: Battery Gains and Readiness Score, But Series 12 Narrows the Gap
Apple has unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 4, a slight enhancement of its smartwatch from 2022. The device maintains its 49-mm titanium casing and $799 price tag, without any new color options. Significant improvements include the Health Sensing System, now utilizing the S11 chip, which monitors heart rate every five seconds and heart rate variability (HRV) every five minutes. New metrics such as Recovery HRV and overall HRV have been added, along with a wellness feature named Readiness that rates daily activity on a scale from 0 to 10. The battery life reaches 50 hours under normal usage, 84 hours in Low Power Mode, and 18 hours during standard workout tracking. Audio Intelligence capabilities and a revamped Health app are anticipated later this year, leaving current Ultra users with little incentive to upgrade.
Key facts
- Apple Watch Ultra 4 retains the same design and $799 price as previous generations.
- The S11 chip powers a new Health Sensing System that tracks heart rate every five seconds and HRV every five minutes.
- Readiness score combines activity, sleep, and vitals into a daily 0-10 score with four recommendations.
- Battery life is up to 50 hours normal use, 84 hours in Low Power Mode, and 45 hours in Max Extended workout mode.
- Fifteen minutes of charging provides up to 18 hours of battery life.
- Audio Intelligence features and a redesigned Health app are delayed until later this year.
- The Series 12 offers many of the same health and safety features for $400 less.
- The Ultra 4 is available in natural and black titanium, with no new finishes.
Entities
Institutions
- Apple
- WIRED
- Spotify