Apple Watch Ultra 4 first impressions: 5 reasons to buy and 2 reasons to skip Apple’s new rugged model

First impressions of the Apple Watch Ultra 4 reveal several compelling reasons to purchase, as well as a couple of potential drawbacks to consider. Dan, a smartwatch reviewer with extensive experience covering the Apple Watch Ultra series, has shared his thoughts on the new model.

Five reasons to buy the Apple Watch Ultra 4 include:

1. Enhanced heart rate tracking: Apple has dramatically improved the accuracy of heart rate monitoring with more powerful LEDs and a larger electrode surface for ECG readings. The Ultra 4 and Series 12 models now outperform competitors in this regard. Additionally, the new tech measures heart rate every five minutes and HRV readings every 15 minutes, providing better insights into long-term health trends.

2. Live Rewind feature: The Ultra 4 joins the Apple Watch Series 12 as the first models to feature Siri AI capabilities, including the "Live Rewind" function. Users can discreetly replay the last 15 seconds of audio by double-tapping the digital crown, helping with name recall and remembering details from conversations.

3. Improved battery life: The Ultra 4 boasts an extended battery life of up to 50 hours per charge, a significant upgrade from the 42-hour rating of its predecessor. For extreme athletes, a new "Max Extended" workout tracking mode increases battery life to 45 hours without sacrificing key cardiovascular and location insights.

4. More accurate step count and distance tracking: Apple has overhauled the onboard pedometer software with machine learning, resulting in more precise step count and distance tracking. This improvement provides better data for fitness tracking and analysis.

5. No price increase: Unlike competitors Google and Samsung, Apple has maintained the same pricing for the 2026 line of smartwatches, demonstrating a more budget-friendly approach from the new CEO.

However, two reasons might make a potential buyer consider skipping the Apple Watch Ultra 4:

1. Same display: The Ultra 4 shares the same display as its predecessor, which, while still excellent, falls short of the higher max brightness (5,000 nits) offered by the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, a direct competitor.

2. Stays gigantic: Despite the various improvements, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 remains a large and chunky device, unchanged in size from its predecessor. Some users may prefer smaller options, as they have long expressed a desire for a second 45 x 40mm model to cater to those with smaller wrists or a preference for a more compact design.