Apple Watch Series 12 vs Apple Watch Ultra 4
Get the Apple Watch Series 12. Unless you hike, run long distances or dive, or are tired of charging every night — then the Ultra 4 lasts about two days.
Apple Watch Series 12
The best smartwatch for iPhone owners: excellent health and heart-rate tracking, a new daily Readiness score and a bright screen. Battery still lasts about a day.
Apple Watch Ultra 4
The Apple Watch for adventures and long days: about two days of battery, dual-band GPS, a tough titanium case, a very bright screen and satellite SOS.
We earn a commission from these links.
The Series 12 has most of the same health features for about half the price. The Ultra 4 lasts about twice as long and adds accurate dual-band GPS and a tough titanium and sapphire case, but it's big at 49mm.
- —You want the best all-round smartwatch for iPhone.
- —You don't mind charging every night.
- —You have a smaller wrist.
- —You hike, run long distances, swim or dive.
- —You're tired of charging every night.
- —You want accurate GPS on trails.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Accurate heart-rate and health tracking
- +Daily Readiness score
- +Bright, always-on screen
- −Battery lasts about a day, so it charges nightly.
- −Looks almost identical to the last two models.
- −Some new features arrive later in software updates.
- −Its GPS isn't as precise as the Ultra's dual-band GPS.
- +About two days of battery
- +Accurate dual-band GPS
- +Tough titanium and sapphire
- −Big and heavy on smaller wrists.
- −Maps and navigation aren't as good as a Garmin's.
- −The touchscreen is hard to use when wet or with gloves.
- −Barely changed from the Ultra 3.
Ready to choose?
- Is the Apple Watch Series 12 worth it?
- Is the Apple Watch Ultra 4 worth it?
- Apple Watch Series 12 vs Apple Watch SE 3
- Apple Watch Series 12 vs Pixel Watch 5
- Pixel Watch 5 vs Galaxy Watch9
- Apple Watch Series 12 vs Galaxy Watch9
- Best smartwatches
How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Tom's Guide, TechRadar, TechRadar, manufacturer specifications.