Two watches, one chip, the same health sensors – and yet a €450 price difference between the entry-level models. The price premium for the Ultra 4 is almost entirely covered by the battery, case, and water resistance. However, those who opt for the Series 12 in titanium only save €50.
Both models will be available on September 18th, both run watchOS 27, and both use the same S11 chip. The difference is no longer in processing power or health features: the new health monitoring system is included in both watches, featuring heart rate measurements every five seconds and a daily fitness assessment. Those choosing between the two will be deciding on thickness, battery life, and intended use – and, in certain configurations, at a surprisingly low price.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Both watches use the S11 chip, 64 GB of storage, and the same health detection system.
- The Ultra 4 lasts up to 50 hours in everyday use, the Series 12 up to 24 – an increase of around 108 percent.
- The Ultra 4 weighs 63 grams, the Series 12 between 31.5 and 52.9 grams depending on the material.
- When it comes to water protection, the paths diverge: 100 meters and sport diving up to 40 meters versus 50 meters and snorkeling.
- The Ultra 4 is priced only 50 euros above the Series 12 in titanium with 46 millimeters – and 150 euros below the ceramic version.
Technical specifications in comparison
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 12 | Apple Watch Ultra 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 42 and 46 mm, aluminum, titanium or ceramic | 49 mm, titanium only |
| Building height | 9.7 mm (aluminum, titanium), 9.85 mm (ceramic) | 12 mm |
| Weight | 31.5 to 52.9 g | 63.0 g (natural), 63.1 g (black) |
| Front glass | Ceramic Shield 2 (aluminum), sapphire (titanium, ceramic) | flat sapphire crystal |
| Display area | 970 mm² (42 mm), 1,196 mm² (46 mm) | 1,245 mm² |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
| Chip | S11, 64-bit dual-core, 4-core neural engine | S11, 64-bit dual-core, 4-core neural engine |
| Controls | Digital Crown, side button | Digital Crown, side button, customizable action button |
| Battery, normal use | up to 24 hours. | up to 50 hours. |
| Power saving mode | up to 38 hours. | up to 84 hours. |
| Outdoor training | up to 10 hours. | Up to 18 hours, extended to 25 hours, maximum extended to 45 hours. |
| Fast Charging | 15 minutes for up to 12 hours. | 15 minutes for up to 18 hours. |
| Water protection | 50 m according to ISO 22810:2010, depth gauge up to 6 m | 100 m according to ISO 22810:2010, EN13319 up to 40 m, MIL-STD 810H |
| Location | precise L1 GPS | precise dual-frequency GPS |
| Audio | a speaker, a microphone | two loudspeakers, three microphones with beamforming, siren |
| Cellular | GPS or GPS + Cellular | Cellular only, plus satellite. |
| Price in Germany | from 449 euros | from 899 euros |
Where the two series overlap in price
The €450 price difference applies only to the entry-level models – aluminum, 42 mm, without cellular connectivity on the one hand, and titanium with cellular and satellite connectivity on the other. As soon as higher-quality materials are introduced in the Series 12, the gap shrinks.
| Execution | Price |
|---|---|
| Series 12, Aluminum 42 mm | 449 euros (GPS), 569 euros (Cellular) |
| Series 12, Aluminum 46 mm | 499 euros (GPS), 619 euros (Cellular) |
| Series 12, Titanium | 799 euros (42 mm), 849 euros (46 mm) |
| Series 12, Ceramic | 1,049 euros (42 mm), 1,099 euros (46 mm) |
| Ultra 4 | 899 euros (Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, Ocean bracelet), 999 euros (Milanaise) |
The price difference between the Series 12 in titanium (46 mm) and the Ultra 4 is exactly 50 euros. The ceramic version costs even 150 to 200 euros more than the Ultra 4 – with a smaller battery, less water resistance, and simpler GPS. Both the titanium and ceramic versions are only available with cellular connectivity, as is the entire Ultra series.
Size and weight on the wrist
The Ultra 4, at 12 millimeters, is about a quarter thicker than the Series 12 and weighs 63 grams. Compared to the 46-millimeter titanium version, that's 40 percent more, and compared to the aluminum version, almost 60 percent more.
The increase in screen size is less significant than expected: The Ultra 4 offers 1,245 square millimeters of display area, while the 46-millimeter Series 12 boasts 1,196 square millimeters – a difference of just over four percent. The jump only becomes truly noticeable when compared to the smaller 42-millimeter version with its 970 square millimeters. However, the Ultra 4 shines with 3,000 nits, half as bright again compared to the Series 12's 2,000 nits, a crucial factor in direct sunlight. The two series also differ in their wristbands: The Ultra 4 accommodates wrists from 130 to 210 millimeters, while the Series 12 fits wrists from 130 to 200 or 140 to 245 millimeters, depending on the case size.
The battery is the actual dividing line
The battery life of the two models isn't a matter of nuance, but rather a significant difference. The Ultra 4 lasts up to 50 hours with normal use, while the Series 12 manages 24 hours – more than twice as long. In power-saving mode, the figures are 84 hours versus 38 hours.
The difference becomes even clearer when it comes to sports: ten hours of outdoor training with the Series 12 versus 18 hours with the Ultra 4, which reaches 25 hours in extended mode and 45 hours in maximum extended mode. This last figure, however, comes at a price: the watch switches to power-saving mode, and notifications and split times are disabled. The difference remains even when charging: 15 minutes on the charger provides up to 18 hours of use for the Ultra 4, but only up to 12 hours for the Series 12.
Water, robustness and navigation
This is where the line is drawn most sharply. The Series 12 is water-resistant to 50 meters and, according to Apple, intended for swimming and snorkeling up to six meters, explicitly not for scuba diving. The Ultra 4 is water-resistant to 100 meters, certified according to EN13319 for scuba diving up to 40 meters, and additionally meets MIL-STD 810H.
Less noticed, but crucial in the field: Apple specifies a maximum operating altitude of 9,000 meters for the Ultra 4 and also lists an operating temperature at the wrist of -20 to 55 degrees Celsius. For the Series 12, the specifications are 3,000 meters and an operating temperature of 0 to 35 degrees Celsius. Then there are the controls: Only the Ultra series has the customizable action button, the siren, and the night mode for the Ultra watch faces.
Then there's the location tracking: The Ultra 4 uses precise dual-frequency GPS, while the Series 12 uses precise L1 GPS. In narrow urban canyons and under tree canopies, this is the practically noticeable difference. And only the Ultra series offers the satellite connection for emergency SOS and "Find My" features, which Apple provides free of charge for two years after activation, starting with the Ultra 3. Anyone buying the Ultra 4 is inevitably buying a cellular model – there is no GPS-only version. What this means in everyday use is explained in the comparison of GPS and cellular models.
What both watches have in common
The list of similarities is longer this year than usual. Both models feature the S11 chip with a 4-core Neural Engine and 64 GB of storage, both received more RAM than their predecessors, and both utilize the same new sensor package: a third-generation electrical heart sensor, an always-on optical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensors, and a temperature sensor.
The new software features are also identical – a daily fitness app with a rating from 0 to 10, background high-frequency heart rate monitoring, recovery heart rate, high blood pressure notifications, sleep apnea notifications, and the audio intelligence functions. So, anyone wanting to buy the more expensive watch for its health data will find no compelling reason to do so this year.
Which watch is worthwhile for whom?
The Ultra 4 is worthwhile where its three real advantages come together: multi-day battery life without charging, diving beyond snorkeling, and navigation in difficult terrain. For multi-day tours, triathlons, or diving, it is the only one of the two that is technically suitable.
Another question is whether switching from your own model is even worthwhile – the generational comparisons Series 12 vs. Series 11 and Ultra 4 vs. Ultra 3 answer this in more detail.
For everyone else, the Series 12 is the more sensible choice – with one exception that isn't mentioned in any brochure. If you're already considering a 46mm titanium watch with cellular connectivity, the Ultra 4 only costs €50 more and offers double the battery life, double the water resistance, and better GPS. And if you're contemplating the ceramic version, you should ask yourself whether the aesthetics are worth the €150 to €200 price difference compared to the more powerful Ultra 4. Conversely, if you're looking for a small, lightweight watch, the 42mm aluminum case weighing 31.5 grams is unrivaled – the Ultra 4 weighs twice as much.
Where do you draw the line: Is the battery life of the Series 12 sufficient for your everyday needs, or would the €50 price difference between the Titanium model and the Ultra 4 be worth the longer battery life? Let us know in the comments which version you chose.
Frequently Asked Questions: Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Ultra 4
It's worth it if battery life, diving, or off-road navigation are important. Compared to the aluminum Series 12, it's a €450 difference, and compared to the 46mm titanium version, only €50 – and in this scenario, almost everything speaks in favor of the Ultra 4.
Apple states that the Series 12 offers up to 24 hours of battery life under normal use, while the Ultra 4 offers up to 50 hours. In power-saving mode, these figures drop to 38 hours versus 84 hours. For outdoor workouts, the Series 12 offers 10 hours versus 18, which can be extended to 45 hours on the Ultra 4 in its maximum extended mode – though this will disable notifications and split times.
No. It's water-resistant to 50 meters and, according to Apple, intended for swimming and snorkeling up to six meters, explicitly not for scuba diving. For that, you need the Ultra 4 with 100-meter water resistance and EN13319 certification up to 40 meters.
No, the entire Ultra series is only available as a cellular model. The Series 12 aluminum version is available with either GPS or GPS and cellular connectivity; the titanium and ceramic versions are only available with cellular connectivity.
Yes. Both feature the new health monitoring system with a third-generation electrical heart sensor, always-on optical heart sensor, blood oxygen and temperature sensors. The daily activity app, ECG, high blood pressure alerts, and sleep apnea alerts are also identical.
Less than the larger housing might suggest: 1,245 square millimeters compared to 1,196 square millimeters for the 46-millimeter Series 12, which is just over four percent. Compared to the 42-millimeter version with 970 square millimeters, it's around 28 percent. The Ultra 4 is also brighter at 3,000 nits instead of 2,000.
No, the satellite connection for emergency SOS calls and "Find My" remains exclusive to the Ultra series. Apple provides it free of charge for two years after activation, starting with the Ultra 3.
