Apple will be releasing new products next week, but Apple Watch models won’t be among them. However, later this year, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 will arrive with four new features that have been rumored so far.
#1: Latest health sensor
At the end of last summer, digitimes Based on supply chain sources, we reported that this year’s Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected to have twice the number of sensor components.
Some of these new sensors may be related to the addition of Touch ID, but we’ll discuss that separately.
But one thing Apple consistently changes with the Apple Watch is the array of health sensors.
digitimes With the new sensor, Apple says it can minimize its reliance on algorithms to interpret data, which it says could lead to improved health data as well as improved performance and battery life.
Apple has been working on adding blood sugar monitoring to the Apple Watch for years, but despite some encouraging recent trends, that feature is currently not expected this year.
#2: Changes in industrial design
digitimes It also reports that the new Apple Watch Ultra 4 will bring “changes to the exterior design.”
How big will these design changes be? It’s hard to say. The report mentions rumors of a “major redesign”, but recent reports are less optimistic about how much changes will be made.
Back when microLED was in Apple’s plans, the 2026 Apple Watch Ultra was expected to be significantly larger. But without new display technology, those plans might have changed.
#3: Touch ID
macworld’s Filipe Espósito found evidence in leaked Apple code that Touch ID is in development for 2026 Apple Watch models. He reported:
Apple is experimenting with some kind of biometric authentication on the Apple Watch. The code, which clearly refers to the 2026 model of the Apple Watch, mentions support for “AppleMesa,” which was Apple’s internal code name for Touch ID.
Details regarding the hardware implementation were not disclosed. Perhaps Apple will integrate Touch ID into either the side button, digital crown, or action button.
Adding Touch ID reduces the need to enter a passcode and can be a convenient way to authenticate things like Apple Pay purchases.
#4: Improve power efficiency
Perhaps due to advances related to the new S-Class chip, or new sensors. digitimes It says the new Ultra model will be “significantly more power efficient.”
Last year’s Apple Watch Ultra 3 was the first in the Ultra series to improve battery life. And it looks like it could happen again with Ultra 4.
The increase in batteries is most likely the result of significant efficiency gains. However, there are other possibilities, such as Apple shrinking the battery to make room for other sensors. It could be a trade-off if you could get the same great battery life with a smaller physical battery.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 rumored features: Summary
There are still about six months until the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is scheduled to be announced in early September. As a result, there is no doubt that there will continue to be a plethora of leaks and rumors.
However, based on current expectations, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is likely to offer upgrades in several areas that users care about most, including health, design, and battery.
What new features would you like to see in Apple Watch Ultra 4? Let us know in the comments.
The best Apple Watch accessories
