The Apple Watch Ultra 4 could steal the spotlight from the flagship Series 12 this year, with reports pointing to a double debut at Apple’s 9 September event. Both watches are said to be arriving with faster chips alongside new health and fitness features.
The original Ultra launched in 2022 with a rugged titanium build, sapphire crystal display and features aimed at outdoor adventurers and athletes. Since then it has added support for recreational scuba diving and emergency satellite connectivity, though it has not followed the predictable yearly release cycle of the flagship Series. There was a two-year gap between the Ultra 2 and last year’s Ultra 3.
A significant processor upgrade this year could make a back-to-back refresh easier to justify. All three Apple Watch models released last year still run on the S10 chip, and it is unlikely Apple would leave its most expensive watch behind with an ageing processor while upgrading the flagship. Reports suggest Apple is preparing a faster S11, or possibly an S12 to match the flagship’s naming, for both the Series 12 and Ultra 4.
A price rise may follow the power boost
Extra processing power could come with a higher price. The Ultra 3 already starts at around £630, twice the starting price of the Series 11, and while there is no firm price rumour yet for its successor, Apple has raised prices across parts of its hardware line-up this year. Google and Samsung have also increased prices on their flagship smartwatches in 2026, making it uncertain that Apple will hold its current level.
One area where the additional power could prove useful is WatchOS 27, which brings the new Siri AI to the Apple Watch. Early testing on the Ultra 3 shows it is well ahead of traditional Siri, answering more complex and contextual questions, referencing information in Apple’s native apps and largely avoiding the frustrating web-search responses. Some lag has been noted, partly attributable to beta software, but a faster processor could speed up those interactions.
Battery life remains a key focus
Battery performance is another area where a more efficient processor could help. The Ultra 3 is already Apple’s longest-lasting watch, delivering about two days of consistent day-and-night use in real-world testing. That still trails traditional sports-watch brands such as Garmin and Coros, which measure battery life in weeks rather than days, with some models exceeding 30 days using solar power.
Apple is unlikely to close that gap in a single generation, but any improvement will help, as battery life remains one of the biggest pain points for owners and prospective buyers. Even without a larger cell, efficiency gains from a new processor could stretch the Ultra’s runtime further. No major design changes are expected for the Ultra 4.
