THE CRUNCH
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is the fourth iteration of Apple's biggest and beefiest smartwatch, and it arrives with the best kind of spec upgrade: longer battery life. It also gains improved health tracking and new readiness tools, plus a chip and battery boost that Apple is positioning as preparation for its controversial audio AI features. The catch is that several of the key features announced with the 2026 watch lineup have yet to be enabled, with updates expected towards the end of the year. That leaves the £749 (€899/$799/A$1,349) Ultra 4 as the top dog in the range, but essentially the same watch as last year's model for now.
The hardware keeps the familiar rugged formula: a 49 x 44mm case that is 12mm thick and weighs 63g, water resistance to 100 metres, and the full sensor suite covering heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen, temperature, depth, dual-band GPS, a compass and an altimeter.
The more interesting story is what is not switched on yet. When Apple announced the watch in September 2026, its standout addition was a set of "Audio Intelligence" features designed to let the watch rewind moments and remember details from daily conversations, taking aim at the growing wave of AI wearables. Those tools are among the features awaiting updates towards the end of this year, so buyers are effectively paying now for capabilities they will receive later.