Partly right

Apple Watch Ultra 4 · Design

Ultra 4 is expected to get a redesigned case and new sensors

The Ultra 4 redesign reported for months did not happen. The sensors changed and the case did not.

1 min read

Apple Watch Ultra 4 Guide
Apple Watch

Apple Watch Ultra 4

4 generations

What to know

What to know

Apple Watch Ultra 4 got Apple's new set of health sensors, but not the new case that DigiTimes had reported.

Ultra 4 measures 49mm by 44mm by 12mm, the same as Ultra 3. It weighs 63.0 grams, up from 61.6 grams on Ultra 3.

How we know this

How we know this

What changed, newest first.

OutcomePartly rightPart of what was reported held up, part did not.
Sep 10, 2026Tom's GuideThe ECG electrode surface is larger on the Ultra 4, and the heart rate LEDs are more powerful.
Aug 31, 2026Tom's GuideAn optional ceramic case survives, with the bigger redesign pushed to 2027
Aug 31, 2026Mashable
Disputed
Puts the redesigned chassis in 2027 and has the Ultra 4 looking like the Ultra 3 Read Mashable
Aug 30, 2026The Mac Observer
Disputed
Chassis unchanged, no new buttons, and the health sensors stay inside it rather than in the bands Read The Mac Observer
Aug 30, 2026Digital Trends
Disputed
No redesigned chassis on Ultra 4; the overhaul is targeted at 2027 and may slip to 2028 Read Digital Trends
Show 10 more reportsShow fewer
Aug 27, 2026Tom's GuideTwice as many sensors as the Ultra 3, plus a fingerprint reader in place of a passcode+1 outlet
Aug 26, 2026Tom's Guide
Disputed
Puts this year's work inside the watch, with chips, speed and health tracking instead of a new design Read Tom's Guide
Aug 26, 2026Gadgets & Wearables
Disputed
Weighs the DigiTimes thinner case and eight rear sensors against later reporting, and lands on no major redesign Read Gadgets & Wearables
Aug 10, 2026Engadget
Disputed
Ultra 4 and Series 12 are not expected to change much, with the case rethink pushed to a later watch Read Engadget
Aug 9, 2026MacRumorsCeramic casing returns after six years away, with the S10 chip unchanged across the last two generations
Aug 9, 2026Digital TrendsDifferent screen sizes and shapes, and even screenless models, under study for 2027 and 2028
Jul 27, 2026The Mac Observer
Disputed
Internal upgrades only, so both keep the current look Read The Mac Observer
May 18, 2026MacRumorsPairs a full redesign with a significant sensing upgrade
May 18, 2026AppleInsiderCalls it the first major Ultra redesign since 2022
Aug 14, 2025Siu Han, Digitimes via 9to5MacReports a major or full redesign for Ultra 4
Reported

Frequently asked

Frequently asked

Is the Ultra 4 getting a redesign?
No. Apple lists the Ultra 4 at 49mm tall and 12mm deep in Grade 5 titanium, the same as the Ultra 3, and it is slightly heavier at 63.0 grams against 61.6. Supply-chain reports had pointed to the first chassis redesign since 2022 and a titanium frame around 15 percent thinner. The case did not change.

Latest Apple Watch Ultra 4 news

Latest Apple Watch Ultra 4 news

All Apple Watch Ultra 4 news

More Apple Watch Ultra 4 reported details

More Apple Watch Ultra 4 reported details

Ultra 4 is reported to improve on the Ultra 3's 42-hour battery ratingRead the report Ultra 4 is expected in the second half of 2026Read the report Ultra 4 is expected to get the first new watch chip in three generationsRead the report