The Apple Watch Ultra 4 could headline Apple’s next wearable lineup, with reports suggesting it will arrive alongside the flagship Series 12 at the company’s September 9 event. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple is readying both smartwatches with quicker processors and new health and fitness capabilities.
The original Ultra debuted in 2022 with a rugged titanium body, sapphire crystal display, and features tailored to athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. It has since gained recreational scuba diving support and emergency satellite connectivity, but it has not followed the yearly cadence of the standard Series line. A two-year gap separated the Ultra 2 from last year’s Ultra 3.
A significant chip upgrade this year could make an annual refresh easier to justify. All three Apple Watches released in 2025 still rely on the S10 processor, and Apple is unlikely to leave its priciest watch running an aging chip while updating the flagship. According to Gurman, Apple is preparing a faster S11 or possibly an S12 for both the Series 12 and the Ultra 4, potentially aligning the chip name with the flagship model.
Higher Performance Could Mean a Higher Price
More processing power may come with a steeper cost. The Ultra 3 already starts at EUR 687, double the Series 11’s entry price. No firm price rumor has surfaced for the successor, but Apple has increased prices across parts of its hardware range this year. Google and Samsung have likewise raised prices on their flagship smartwatches in 2026, making it uncertain whether Apple will hold the Ultra at EUR 687.
The added performance could benefit WatchOS 27, which brings the new Siri AI to the Apple Watch. Testing on the Ultra 3 shows the upgraded assistant handles more complex and contextual questions, references information in Apple’s native apps, and avoids the older “Here’s what I found on the web” reply that frustrated wrist users. Some lag has appeared during testing, which may be tied to the beta software, though a faster processor could help smooth those interactions.
Battery Life and Design Expectations
A more efficient chip could also aid battery performance. The Ultra 3 is Apple’s longest-lasting watch, delivering roughly two days of continuous day-and-night use in real-world testing. That still trails dedicated sports-watch brands such as Garmin and Coros, which measure runtime in weeks, with some solar-equipped models exceeding 30 days.
Apple is unlikely to close that gap in a single generation, but any improvement would help. Battery life remains one of the biggest concerns for current owners and prospective buyers. Even without a larger cell, efficiency gains from a new processor could extend the Ultra’s runtime.
On the hardware front, Gurman has indicated no major design changes are expected for the Ultra 4.
