Updated 19 Oct 2026
Is the Apple Watch Ultra 4 worth it?
Yes — if you want an Apple Watch that lasts and goes anywhere.
It lasts about two days with daily workouts, and new extended GPS modes stretch to 25 or 45 hours for long hikes and races. Dual-band GPS is accurate on trails, the titanium case and sapphire screen are tough, and it has a depth gauge for diving and satellite messaging when there's no signal. It's big, it costs twice a Series 12, which has most of the same health features, and its maps aren't as good as a Garmin's. It only works with an iPhone.
94%of 18 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- About two days of battery
- Accurate dual-band GPS
- Tough titanium and sapphire
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What owners say
Owners love the long battery life, the big, bright screen and the premium build. Complaints are rare.
Good to know
- 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.
From 18 buyer ratings at Target (US) and Otto (Germany), every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- Battery lasts three to four daysMentioned a lot
- Big, bright screenMentioned often
- Premium buildAlso mentioned
- Health and fitness featuresAlso mentioned
- Fast and responsiveAlso mentioned
What they complain about
Hardly any: just 1 of 18 owners gave it 3 stars or fewer, and no complaint came up often enough to list.
Get it if…
- You hike, run long distances, swim or dive and use an iPhone.
- You're tired of charging an Apple Watch every night.
Skip it if…
- You want the best maps and multi-day battery for big adventures: a Garmin does more.
- You have a small wrist: it's 49mm.
More on the Apple Watch Ultra 4
How we reached this verdict
DC Rainmaker's in-depth test finds its new heart sensor Apple's best yet and its 50-hour battery claim holds up, but its maps fall short of endurance watches. Trusted Reviews and Expert Reviews both give it 4/5 for its longer battery and better training insights, while noting Ultra 3 owners needn't upgrade and the Series 12 has most of the same features for less.
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: DC Rainmaker, Trusted Reviews, Expert Reviews, Apple, Tom's Guide, TechRadar, TechRadar, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 19 Oct 2026How we decide