Apple gives us an Ultra 4 model that looks the same as its predecessor, but is outfitted with new hard- and software. We begin with a new Health Sensing System that measures the most accurate reading of your background heart rate every five seconds (the last gen model measures it every five minutes).
This is only possible thanks to the redesigned optical sensor and a new S11 chipset. Take a look at the optical sensor, especially the reorganised ring of photodiodes. The infrared-heavy sensors are now replaced with larger green LEDs, which is power-efficient, and also for deeper skin penetration and better accuracy. We find that the battery life for the Ultra 4 fare better than the last model. You get about 50 hours of usage, and a 15-minute charge should get you 18 hours.
There's a new feature called Readiness that calculates a daily readiness score (between 0 and 10) so that you can decide on whether you wanna give it your all during gym or just take it easy. Analysing the Ultra 4's three core factors (activity, vitals, and sleep), a score is calculated. We haven't gotten a proper readiness score as you need to wear the Ultra 4 to sleep for a week before it generates a baseline.
The Watch Ultra 4 now has audio intelligence that can monitor, transcribe, and pick up ambient sounds and convos. There are four central features—Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Sound Recognition, and a faster Shazam (the former two will only be available in beta in 2026). We didn't test out Live Rewind and Siri Recap, but apparently, Life Rewind plays back the last 15 seconds of a conversation, and Siri Recap passively listens to ambient conversations all-day. The watch listens? I don't want my watch to spy on me!
Calm down. The S11 chip comes with a Secure Audio Processing Exclave; this is a piece of hardware security inside the S11 chip that records all ambient noises, but any data collected is kept within the Ultra 4, and is never uploaded; Sound Recognition is a boon for those who are hard of hearing; as it picks up ambient noises, it identifies them and informs the user.
To further drive home how much Apple don't want your data, that's where the Secure Audio Processing Exclave comes in. And it also chimes to indicate that a recording is about to occur. Great for privacy, terrible for spies.
The Apple Ultra 4's titanium case comes in either silver or black, and in a series of watch straps.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 retails from SGD1,199 and is available online and at all Apple Stores and distributors.
