Apple Watch Ultra 4 review: Who really needs to upgrade?

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 makes some important changes under the hood, but that does not necessarily make it an automatic upgrade for everyone.

The Ultra 1, Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 are still going strong, and for many existing users, there is little that will fundamentally change how they use their watch every day. So, rather than simply asking whether the Ultra 4 is a good smartwatch, I want to answer a more useful question: who actually needs to upgrade to it?

At ₹1,09,900, the Ultra 4 brings the S11 chip, a redesigned sensor system, a brighter display, new health features and, most importantly in my experience, even better battery life.

The battery was already one of the biggest reasons to buy the Ultra 3. Apple has pushed that advantage further this time. But several of the new health features are also coming to older Apple Watches, so the Ultra 4 is not automatically a better proposition simply because it has newer health capabilities.

After using it, I think the biggest reason to consider the Ultra 4 is still the combination of battery life, fitness capabilities and the Apple ecosystem.

Price and availability

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at ₹1,09,900 with the Alpine Loop, Trail Loop or Ocean Band, while the Titanium Milanese Loop version costs ₹1,24,900.

It comes in a 49mm titanium case in Natural and Black, and is available only with GPS + Cellular connectivity.

Design

There is very little that has changed visually.

The Ultra 4 looks almost identical to its predecessors, with the same 49mm titanium case and overall design. The big change becomes visible only when you turn the watch around. The sensor block now has multiple lines, indicating that Apple has changed the sensor architecture to accommodate additional health capabilities.

Ergonomically, however, this is still a big and fairly heavy watch.

If you have a larger wrist, it can feel more natural. Otherwise, there is definitely a learning curve before you become completely comfortable with it.

I did use the Ultra 4 for sleep tracking as part of this review, but personally, I am still not a big fan of wearing the Ultra to bed because of its size.

That larger case does have a significant advantage, though: battery life. And that is where the Ultra 4 starts to justify its bulk.

Display

The display is as bright as you would expect from an Ultra, with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. In bright Indian sunlight, readability is excellent.

The larger display also gives you more room to interact with the watch. Notifications, widgets and even typing messages are easier, simply because there is more screen real estate.

But this is no longer an Ultra-exclusive advantage. The Apple Watch Series 12 also offers a larger display, so you need to ask yourself whether you actually need the Ultra’s 49mm form factor.

For me, the screen has an additional practical use. I regularly use the Apple Watch alongside my iPhone when shooting content, including to frame what I am recording. So the display is not just something I glance at. It is part of my workflow.

Software and health

The Ultra 4 runs watchOS 27, with Apple’s redesigned Health experience being one of the more noticeable additions.

Apple is increasingly positioning the Watch as a health and fitness companion, with features such as new HRV insights and age-related health information adding to that experience.

But again, these features do not necessarily justify an upgrade on their own. Apple’s broader health platform continues to work with previous-generation Apple Watches, depending on the feature and hardware involved.

The Ultra 4 also retains ECG tracking.

An ECG can provide a useful indication that something may not be right, and there have been cases over the years where Apple Watch alerts have prompted users to seek medical attention.

But if you genuinely feel something is wrong, do not rely on a smartwatch. Seek immediate medical help. The Apple Watch should be treated as an additional source of information, not a replacement for medical care.

Performance and battery

The S11 chip is one of the key changes inside the Ultra 4, but the bigger day-to-day improvement for me has been battery life.

The Ultra 3 already had excellent endurance. The Ultra 4 is even better.

In my testing, I got roughly two and a half days when I was not wearing it overnight. With sleep tracking, that dropped to around one and a half to two days, depending on usage.

That is a significant improvement in real-world usability.

The Ultra still cannot match the battery endurance of something like a Garmin smartwatch, but that is one of the compromises you make if you want the Apple ecosystem, seamless iPhone integration and the convenience of Apple’s Activity rings.

Charging is faster too. Using Apple’s 18W Apple Watch charger, I could take the Ultra 4 from zero to 100 percent in around 45 minutes.

For heavy users who track workouts and sleep, that faster charging makes the already strong battery life even more practical.

Health and fitness

The redesigned sensor system is one of the reasons the back of the Ultra 4 looks different.

Apple has expanded its health-tracking capabilities, including splitting heart rate variability into Recovery HRV and Overall HRV, while continuing to offer features such as dual-frequency GPS.

The real value of these metrics, however, comes from looking at them over time rather than obsessing over an individual reading.

The Ultra remains particularly compelling for people who are serious about running, cycling, hiking or other outdoor activities. But if your routine mostly consists of walking, gym sessions, notifications and basic health tracking, a standard Apple Watch can already cover much of that experience.

That brings us back to the central question: do you need the Ultra hardware, or do you simply want the newest Apple Watch?

The screenless wearable question

There is another trend that the Ultra 4 sits alongside: the rise of screenless wearables.

Whoop has taken a significant part of the fitness community by storm with its screenless approach, while Fitbit has also become part of this broader conversation. There have also been reports and speculation that Apple could be working on a screenless wearable, potentially arriving around 2028. That timeline is unconfirmed, so it should be treated purely as speculation.

But the demand is clearly growing.

Rings have become a major part of this category, but there is also a strong argument for a wrist-based form factor. Strap it on and, for many people, you can simply forget about it while it continues collecting health and fitness data.

Personally, I would still choose a screen.

I use my Apple Watch as part of my iPhone ecosystem, including when I am shooting content. Being able to see framing on my wrist and interact with the device makes it much more than a passive health tracker.

For me, the Apple Watch remains a utilitarian tool. And for now, I would rather have the screen.

Verdict

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is a better Ultra than its predecessors, particularly when it comes to battery life and the expanded health capabilities.

But it is not an automatic upgrade.

If you are coming from an Apple Watch Series 7 or Series 8 and are trying to pursue a more active lifestyle, particularly as an iPhone user, the Ultra 4 is a significant upgrade. You get much better battery life, a larger and brighter display, advanced health and fitness tracking and the full Apple ecosystem.

I would also consider it a worthwhile upgrade for someone coming from the original Ultra, especially if battery life and newer health capabilities matter to you.

But if you already own an Ultra 2 or Ultra 3, I don’t see any reason to rush.

Both watches remain highly capable, and with Apple continuing to provide software updates, you can comfortably use them for another two to three years without missing out on the core Apple Watch experience.

At ₹1,09,900, the Ultra 4 makes the most sense for someone who wants long battery life, serious fitness capabilities, a large and bright display and the convenience of Apple’s ecosystem in one device.

It is not the Apple Watch everyone needs.

But for the right iPhone user, particularly someone looking to become more active, it is one of the most complete smartwatches you can buy.