Apple today announced the Apple Watch Ultra 4, featuring a new S11 chip, a redesigned health-sensing system, and a larger battery that Apple says provides two days of battery life.
With improved power efficiency, Ultra 4 offers up to 18 hours of workout tracking with full GPS and heart rate monitoring, or 45 hours in maximum extended workout mode. It is available in black and natural titanium, as well as new strap colors and a new Hermès titanium bracelet.
The redesigned health sensing system includes a larger electrode surface area for better skin contact during ECG readings, photodiodes arranged in a ring to capture light more efficiently, and larger, more energy-efficient green LEDs for heart rate tracking.
More frequent readings are shown in an updated heart rate app and new complications on the watch face. Apple claims the system offers the most accurate heart rate tracking of any wearable device, citing a study involving hundreds of participants running, cycling, and performing HIIT workouts, with an ECG chest strap used as a reference.
A new readiness feature analyzes recent activity, vital signs and sleep each morning to provide a score indicating whether users need to recover, pace themselves or resume more activity.
Apple is also redesigning the Health app to offer personalized advice powered by Apple Intelligence. A new Health Age feature combines Apple Watch metrics such as VO2 max and sleep with blood test biomarkers to compare users’ health indicators with their chronological age. A Longevity tab brings together information on sleep, movement, heart health and other areas.
Users can manually enter lab results or sync their medical records. In the United States, Apple will also offer access to a Quest blood panel covering more than 50 biomarkers for $119. A new VO2 max test uses the iPhone’s camera and Apple Watch to evaluate users as they perform a series of exercises, providing immediate results. The redesigned Health app will arrive later this year.
The S11 chip’s always-on, energy-efficient processor enables new Audio Intelligence features. Sound recognition identifies sounds such as alarms, doorbells and a baby’s cry, while Live Rewind displays a transcript of what was said in the previous 15 seconds.
Siri Recap generates conversation titles, summaries, and key points that users can view in the Siri app. Users can schedule when to take notes or toggle it in Control Center. Apple says the audio features do not create or store audio recordings. Siri Recap will launch in beta later this year, initially in English, with other languages to follow.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799 and is available for pre-order today, with availability starting September 18.
