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The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is a smartwatch first, that also has the hardware, key sensors and software to operate as a running watch. If you’re an iPhone owner and looking for the best mix of smartwatch and running watch, this the best running smartwatch you can buy.
It offers strong GPS tracking accuracy and the best battery life available on an Apple Watch currently. Its training insights and analysis lag behind dedicated sports watches and it does still deliver shorter battery than most other running watches. Apple does make up some of its shortcomings with access to an extensive array of apps that can turn the Apple Watch Ultra 4 into a much better running watch. Whether that’s giving you more glanceable training analysis or running-centric mapping support.
It’s a better, more reliable running watch than the Apple Watch Series 12 and while it’s significantly more expensive, it does at least stick to the same price as the Ultra 3 and is cheaper to buy than watches like the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro.
Design & Key Stats
- Price: £749/$799
- Size: 49 x 44 x 12mm
- Weight: 63g
- Display: 1.93in OLED
- Case material: Titanium
- Screen material: Sapphire crystal
- Water resistance: 100m
- Battery life (watch): 50 hours
- Battery life (dual-band GPS): 18 hours
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Review
What’s New?
Not a lot has changed with the overall look of the Apple Watch Ultra 4. It still features a grade 5 titanium case, three physical buttons and an high quality, always-on Retina OLED colour display. Flip the watch over and you’ll now find Apple’s new health sensing system, which can measure heart rate and heart rate variability at at more frequent rate than previous Apple Watch Ultras. This unlocks features like new Readiness scores and post-workout HRV data to help you better understand your recovery needs.
Apple has included its new S11 chip to power performance and does also unlock a raft of new audio-based features. These include an AI-powered version of its Siri smart assistant along with Live Rewind and Siri Recap modes. While the new Siri is available now, Live Rewind and Siri Recap will launch later in 2026 and are designed to capture and transcribe notable conversations from your day.
The new sensing system also brings a new Vitals mode, which lets you keep track of your health vitals like heart rate, temperature and blood oxygen and see how they differ and change by day and night.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 now has bigger battery life than the Ultra 3. It can last for more than 2 days (up to 50 hours) and can now track GPS-based workouts for up to 45 hours.
The Run Test: Likes
Apple promises improved heart rate tracking accuracy and that’s definitely been the team’s experience of using the Watch Ultra 4 across training runs and races compared to the leading heart rate monitor chest straps.
We were also fans of the new Readiness scores, which isn’t a new feature for smartwatches and sports watches, but are only available on the Ultra 4 and Series 12 watches. It now means the Ultra 4 can offer some simple guidance on when to train and when to ease off. It’s felt in line with how we felt and is well presented on the Watch.
What remains very strong is the experience outside of running. Whether you’re using this it to view your phone notifications, control music playback, make contactless payments, calls or offer access to a storefront where you’ll find great running apps and as well as great non-running ones too.
Lastly, the battery life is noticeably better than the Watch Ultra 3. You’re still not getting weeks of battery in between charges, but you can enjoy over 2 days battery as Apple promises. That’s while making use of the most accurate GPS mode.
The Run Test: Dislikes
While all three Testers found the GPS tracking performance solid on the whole including during races, we’d also say it’s not quite at the level of the best-performing watches. Especially ones from Garmin and Suunto which also offer dual-band GPS setups.
We found the heart rate tracking mostly good and reliable even for more high intensity runs. It’s not spotless though and does have a habit of greying out readings and leaving gaps session data and that’s something all Testers experienced in their testing time.
Apple’s approach to training analysis and insights doesn’t match up to what you’ll get from the likes of Garmin, Coros, Suunto or Polar. While you can seek out apps to improve that experience, out of the box Apple’s native apps are still very much playing catch up with the competition.
That’s a similar story for mapping, where we still don’t get native support for running on the Ultra. You can remedy that by downloading an app like Workoutdoors to better match the mapping and navigation features from dedicated sports watches.
One design change we’re hoping to see but didn’t get was a proper flashlight. While the likes of Suunto, Garmin, Amazfit and others have started to include one on their flagship watches, it’s a shame Apple didn’t decide to add one in here too.
Verdict And Alternatives
If you own an iPhone and want the best smartwatch to pair it to that can also operate as a very good running watch, then it’s the Apple Watch Ultra 4 you want. There’s some nice upgrades on the Watch Ultra 3 and even more if you’re wearing an older generation Watch Ultra.
It still doesn’t match watches from Garmin, Suunto, Coros and others in terms of performance, level of running features, training analysis or battery life. If you’re willing to make some compromises and do want a watch that’s great to use outside of running, then that’s what the Ultra 4 gets you.
If you’re looking for an alternative, the obvious one is the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro. The 9 Pro is however vastly more expensive than the Ultra 4, which as mentioned remains at the same price as the Ultra 3. You can also look at Garmin’s Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Pro, which will offer better training analysis, battery life and running features out of the box. They’ll also be cheaper to buy than the Fenix 9 Pro. You can also look at the Garmin Forerunner 970 and Coros Pace 4 Pro, which offer great features and performance in a more compact design.
If you’re looking for another affordable alternative, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 line is a great shout too. It’s got a similarly rugged build, a really good set of running features, backed up by strong tracking performance and much longer battery life. It does also work with both iPhones and Android phones though can’t match Apple’s much slicker smartwatch support.