Apple Watch Ultra 4: 3 new features that excite me
▼ Summary
– Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected to launch next month alongside iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra, with a more powerful S11 chip optimized for Siri AI, marking the first significant processing speed bump since the S9 chip in 2023.
– The new chip aims to improve Siri AI performance, which could be transformative for watchOS 27, offering a faster and more responsive user experience on the latest Watch hardware.
– Health features are expected to see major upgrades, with reports of doubled sensor components and a significant enhancement to sensing functions, potentially including a new high blood pressure notification feature under FDA review.
– Power efficiency is projected to improve significantly, likely resulting in longer battery life, though Apple could offset gains by shrinking the battery to accommodate new sensors.
– The article highlights the author’s personal interest in health and battery improvements, given the Apple Watch’s impact on their health journey and its current two-day battery life, which trails fitness bands like WHOOP.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is slated to arrive next month, sharing the stage with the iPhone 18 Pro and the rumored iPhone Ultra. While the full picture won’t be clear until the official unveiling, several credible leaks have already painted a promising portrait of the next flagship wearable. Here are the three rumored features for the Apple Watch Ultra 4 that have me genuinely excited.
A Significant Chip Upgrade to Power Siri AI
The upcoming watchOS 27 places a heavy emphasis on the new Siri AI experience, and the hardware needs to keep pace. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Ultra 4 and Series 12 will finally receive a substantial boost in processing power. This is a notable shift, as the actual performance of Apple Watches hasn’t meaningfully improved since the S9 chip debuted in 2023, even though newer processors have been released since then.
The current models run on the S10 chip, so the new iteration will likely be branded as the S11. The promise of a faster, more responsive Siri AI is a game-changer for how we interact with watchOS. For users who rely on voice commands for quick tasks, this could transform the daily utility of the device, and I am eager to see how the enhanced silicon handles the new intelligence features.
A Major Leap in Health Sensing Capabilities
Health tracking remains the core reason many people invest in an Apple Watch, and the Ultra 4 is expected to deliver substantial improvements in this arena. Reports from Digitimes indicate that the sensor component count in the Ultra 4 will double compared to its predecessor. The same outlet has doubled down on this claim, emphasizing a “significant upgrade to sensing functions.”
While the specific sensor changes remain under wraps, there is speculation that Apple is preparing a new high blood pressure notification feature, which is currently under FDA review. At the very least, we can expect refinements to last year’s hypertension tracking. Given how impactful the Watch has been for personal health journeys, any advancement in this area is a welcome development.
Enhanced Power Efficiency for Better Battery Life
Battery longevity is a perennial request from users, and the Ultra 4 might finally address it. Digitimes reports that “power efficiency will improve significantly” with the new model. While this doesn’t guarantee a longer battery life outright, it makes the outcome highly probable.
It is possible Apple could use the efficiency gains to shrink the physical battery, freeing up space for the new sensors while maintaining the current battery life of the Ultra 3. However, I suspect we will see at least a modest improvement, especially since battery performance is an area where the Apple Watch trails minimalist fitness bands like WHOOP. My current Ultra 3 manages roughly two days on a charge, but with the added demands of Siri AI, any extension in longevity would be a welcome trade-off.
What features are on your wishlist for the Apple Watch Ultra 4? Share your thoughts in the comments.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
