The Apple Watch Ultra has maintained its rugged, titanium-clad design and emergency-ready features since its 2022 debut, but this year's Ultra 4 offers fewer compelling reasons to splurge on the premium model, especially when compared to the standard Series 12.
After testing both the new Apple Watch Ultra 4 and the Series 12, the similarities between the two devices are striking. The gap in features and capabilities seems to narrow with each annual release, making the $799 price tag for the Ultra 4 increasingly difficult to justify. The Series 12 now boasts many of the health and safety functions previously exclusive to the Ultra, while the Ultra's standout features—its extended battery life, dedicated Action button, and satellite messaging—are increasingly niche, catering primarily to off-grid adventurers.
This evolution positions the Ultra 4 as a highly specialized smartwatch, but potentially a harder sell for the average consumer. Its advantages are undeniable for serious athletes like trail runners and divers, or individuals who frequently venture beyond cellular service. However, for those whose primary focus is on general health tracking, workout monitoring, and everyday tasks, the Series 12 delivers a comparable core experience at a $400 lower cost. For existing Ultra owners, the Ultra 4 might serve more as an affirmation of their current device rather than a must-have upgrade.
Fortunately, Apple has kept the pricing consistent with previous generations and hasn't introduced new color options for the Ultra 4.
Both the Ultra 4 and the Series 12 benefit from Apple's new Health Sensing System, powered by the faster S11 chip and enhanced optical and electrical heart rate sensors. This system now tracks heart rate every five seconds throughout the day and measures heart rate variability (HRV) up to 24 times more frequently than before, capturing it every five minutes. The new system logs two HRV variants: Recovery HRV, designed to pinpoint daily stressors, and overall HRV, which offers a broader view of cardiovascular health.
While this enhanced tracking benefits all users, it's a particularly significant upgrade for those considering the Ultra 4 as a dedicated fitness tracker. The device can now offer a more detailed insight into the body's recovery process and its response to daily stress. The new Overnight Vitals feature compares your Recovery HRV against your personal baseline and introduces a daytime view to analyze the differences between metrics captured during the day and overnight.
