Making Sense of the Apple Watch Ultra 4 Rumors

Apple Watch Ultra 4 rumors have started to build, and while nothing is official yet, they are hinting at significant changes, such as the inclusion of a fingerprint sensor. Here’s what we know so far about a potential 2026 Apple Watch Ultra.

When Could the Apple Watch Ultra 4 Be Released?

Most reports indicate that the Apple Watch Ultra 4 release date will coincide with Apple’s usual fall event in 2026, although this has not been confirmed yet.

Here’s why the rumors are growing:

• Apple released the first Ultra in September 2022, the Ultra 2 in September 2023, and the Ultra 3 in September 2025. So, a September 2026 Ultra 4 would fit the pattern.
• According to Macworld and MacRumors, a new Apple Watch Ultra has already been identified by the code name “N240.”

Is Apple Even Considering the Release of Any Kind of Smartwatch?

Apple just launched the Ultra 3 with better battery life and new health and connectivity features. And now, early reports suggest that innovation like that isn’t over for the Apple Watch Ultra.

Leaked internal code names an Apple Watch Ultra 4 model for 2026, and reports of the introduction of new sensors to the year’s lineup suggest that Apple is already working on the next version behind the scenes, even if nothing has been announced in public yet.

Introducing big changes like that shows that the company is dedicated to keeping the rugged Ultra model around.

Our Thoughts on Potential Apple Watch Ultra 4 Features

Apple could add the following to the Ultra 4 smartwatch to differentiate it from the Ultra 3:

• New S series chip: Leaked code points to a new processor with the internal name T8320 for the Ultra 4 and other 2026 Apple Watch models. We don’t know the specifics about how this will affect performance, but it should be a decent jump over the current chips that share the older T8310 base. That means this upgrade could bring smarter health insights and faster AI tools.
• Better battery life: The new chip should help the Apple Watch Ultra 4 use power more efficiently, which could give it a small boost over the last two models. Apple says that both the Ultra 3 and Ultra 2 can reach up to three days in Low Power Mode, so any improvement would put it a bit closer to long-lasting watches like the OnePlus Watch 3, which can survive for 16 days in its power-saving mode.
• Touch ID: The same code mentions that Touch ID could be coming to the Apple Watch. If this works as it does on iPhone, you’ll be able to unlock the watch and approve payments with a touch of your finger on a button or possibly right on the screen.
• More sensors: A report from DigiTimes talks about a 2026 Apple Watch with eight sensors on its underside. Some analysts think that this design is meant for the Ultra 4.