Apple has unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 4, a refresh that leaves the exterior largely untouched while reworking what happens inside the case.
The wearable now comes in a black titanium finish alongside the existing natural titanium option.
Health tracking and Readiness score
The Ultra 4 carries the new S11 chip and an upgraded Health Sensing System, matching the approach taken with the Series 12.
Apple says the revised optical and electrical sensors sample heart rate every five seconds through the day.
Heart rate variability is recorded up to 24 times more often than on the Ultra 3.
That denser data feeds a new Readiness score, which rates each day from 0 to 10.
The score draws on sleep, training load, and daytime vitals to help users judge whether to push harder or rest.
Apple also reworked the pedometer for more accurate step and distance tracking during indoor walks and runs.
Battery life reaches up to 50 hours in regular use, or up to 84 hours with Low Power Mode switched on.
A new Max Extended Workout mode supports up to 45 hours of continuous GPS tracking for outdoor sessions.
Charging is faster as well, with a 15-minute top-up delivering up to 18 hours of regular use.
Audio Intelligence on watchOS 27
On the software side, watchOS 27 introduces AI tools Apple groups under the name Audio Intelligence.
A feature called Live Rewind lets users double-press the Digital Crown to read a transcript of the previous 15 seconds.
Siri can also summarize longer conversations.
Apple says the audio is processed locally in a secure part of the chip, so nothing is recorded, saved, or sent to its servers.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 keeps its predecessor's starting price of $799.
Preorders are open now, with the device reaching stores from Friday, September 18.
