Apple Watch · Ultra
Establishes a rugged exploration branch with a 49mm titanium case, flat sapphire crystal, customizable physical Action button, precision dual-frequency GPS, WR100 dive compliance, and 36-hour battery life.
- Introduced49mm aerospace-grade titanium case architecture
High-durability enclosure featuring a raised perimeter lip designed to protect the edges of the flat sapphire front crystal from direct lateral impacts.
- IntroducedFlat sapphire crystal front face
Replaces the curved-edge glass/crystal design of the Series line with a completely flat sapphire crystal surface to maximize edge impact resistance.
- IntroducedEnlarged Digital Crown with protective crown guard
Digital Crown increased in diameter with deeper, coarser grooves and housed within a raised side guard structure for easy tactile operation while wearing heavy gloves.
- IntroducedCustomizable physical Action button
Customizable physical Action button
- Introduced*Hardware implementation*
A dedicated, high-contrast international orange tactile button positioned on the left side of the case, mechanically optimized for positive tactile feedback with gloves or in wet conditions.
- Introduced*Software functionality*
Configurable in watchOS to instantly trigger workouts, mark workout intervals or segments, set Compass Waypoints, initiate Backtrack, activate the Flashlight, open diving apps, or execute custom Shortcuts. A sustained hold triggers the 86dB emergency siren.
- IntroducedPrecision dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5 GNSS)
Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5 GNSS)
- Introduced*Hardware implementation*
Combines both L1 and L5 GPS frequencies with a new antenna architecture integrated directly into the titanium bezel.
- Introduced*Software functionality*
Advanced positioning algorithms fuse satellite signals with watchOS map data to deliver accurate distance, pace, and route metrics in high-density urban canyons and dense tree canopy where standard GPS signals suffer multipath interference.
- Introduced86-decibel Emergency Siren
86-decibel Emergency Siren
- Introduced*Hardware implementation*
Dual-speaker sound system capable of generating an 86dB acoustic signal audible up to 600 feet (180 meters).
- Introduced*Software functionality*
Plays two distinct high-pitched distress patterns in alternation (one distress pattern, one universal SOS pattern) that repeat for hours.
- IntroducedDual-speaker audio and three-microphone array
Two speakers provide significantly louder call volume and audio prompts; three beamforming microphones use adaptive algorithms to suppress severe wind noise for voice clarity in outdoor gale conditions.
- Introduced2,000 nits peak display brightness
Reaches up to 2,000 nits—twice the peak brightness of any previous Apple Watch—for direct sunlight legibility in deserts, snowfields, and open water.
- IntroducedWayfinder watch face with Night Mode
(minor): Designed specifically for the larger display, integrating a live compass ring; rotating the Digital Crown turns the entire interface red to preserve dark-adapted night vision.
- IntroducedWR100 water resistance and EN13319 dive computer compliance
WR100 water resistance and EN13319 dive computer compliance
- Introduced*Hardware implementation*
Water-resistant to 100 meters (ISO standard 22810:2010); certified to EN13319 internationally recognized standard for diving accessories; incorporates a dedicated depth gauge and water temperature sensor.
- Introduced*Software functionality*
Native Depth app automatically launches upon submersion to display depth down to 40 meters (130 feet), dive time, and water temperature. Integration with the third-party Oceanic+ app enables recreational scuba diving calculations using the Bühlmann decompression model.
- Introduced36-hour normal battery life
Doubled the battery longevity standard from the traditional 18-hour Series benchmark to 36 hours of normal use, with up to 60 hours in Low Power Mode with reduced sensor sampling.
- IntroducedExtreme operating temperature envelope
Operational temperature range on-wrist from -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 130°F); tested against MIL-STD 810H standards for low pressure (altitude), high/low temperature, temperature shock, contamination, humidity, immersion, freeze/thaw, shock, and vibration.
- IntroducedSpecialized activity straps
(minor): Debuted Trail Loop (lightweight pull-tab weave for endurance runners), Alpine Loop (seamless dual-layer weave with titanium G-hook for climbers), and Ocean Band (molded fluoroelastomer with titanium buckle for water sports).
- RetainedS8 SiP processing architecture
Shares the dual-core 64-bit S8 processor and internal system bus with Series 8.
- RetainedDual-sensor wrist temperature sensing
Incorporates both the back crystal temperature sensor and the display sensor for nightly sampling and retrospective ovulation estimates.
- RetainedCrash Detection safety array
Integrates the 256g high-g accelerometer and HDR gyroscope to support automotive crash detection.
- RetainedHealth monitoring suite
Retained electrical heart sensor (ECG app), third-generation optical heart sensor, and Blood Oxygen (SpO2) sensor.
- RetainedBand lug backward compatibility
Despite the 49mm case scale, the lug mechanism retains mechanical compatibility with standard 44mm and 45mm Apple Watch bands.