Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 launched three years after the Ultra 2, bringing advancements like satellite connectivity, a larger display, improved health sensors, and extended battery life. Both models share a 49mm titanium case, Action button, siren, 3,000-nit display, dual-frequency GPS, and support for diving up to 40 meters. However, the Ultra 4 offers several upgrades over its predecessor.

Starting at $799 in the U.S., the Ultra 4 boasts an LTPO3 OLED display with a higher refresh rate (1Hz) and a 5% larger screen area compared to the LTPO2 OLED display of the Ultra 2. It also features an S11 chip, 4GB of RAM, and enhanced health tracking capabilities. The new Health Sensing System records heart rate every five seconds and collects heart rate variability (HRV) measurements more frequently, enabling features like Recovery HRV, daytime Vital signs, and the Readiness app.

The Ultra 4 also supports LTE and 5G cellular connectivity, Emergency SOS, Messages, and Find My functions via satellite, and offers up to 50 hours of normal use, compared to the Ultra 2's 36 hours.

Despite its improved features, the Ultra 4 isn't for everyone. If your current Ultra 2 battery lasts through your usual days and workouts, you might be better off keeping it, as it supports watchOS 27 and Siri AI and continues to receive software updates. The Ultra 4's Health Sensing System is the primary reason to upgrade, but if you don't plan on using those advanced health insights, the Ultra 2 remains a solid choice.

The Ultra 2 is also available refurbished for $589, making it $210 cheaper than the new Ultra 4. Ultimately, if you value future-proofing and the new hardware features, the Ultra 4 justifies its higher price, but the Ultra 2 offers excellent value as a more affordable option.