On: A Closer Look at Its Biggest Upgrades

Key Points:

• The Apple Watch Ultra 4, starting at $799, features a new S11 processor and redesigned health sensors that enable heart-rate readings every 5 seconds and heart-rate variability measurements every 5 minutes, significantly improving accuracy and powering a dynamic Readiness score that updates throughout the day.
• New AI-powered audio tools include Live Rewind, which lets users replay the last 15 seconds of conversation, and Siri Recap, which generates summaries of conversations without storing audio, enhancing usability while maintaining privacy.
• The S11 chip improves battery efficiency by handling background tasks with an always-on processor, allowing the Ultra 4 to reach approximately 50 hours of battery life, up from 42 hours on the previous model.
• For endurance athletes, two new low-battery workout modes extend tracking up to 25 or 48 hours by selectively disabling features like the always-on display and reducing GPS fidelity, offering customizable trade-offs between battery life and data accuracy.
• While the Ultra 4’s size may be bulky for everyday use, its enhanced health tracking, battery improvements, and AI features make it appealing for endurance athletes and users upgrading from older models, positioning Apple as a competitor focused on accuracy and data usability rather than maximum battery life.