Comparison · Fitness watches · Desk research
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 4
Quick Answer
Series 11 (2025) is a 42mm or 46mm Always-On LTPO3 watch with the S10 chip, 64GB, up to 2000 nits, 374×446 / 416×496, L1 GPS, 50m + IP6X, a depth gauge to 6 meters, ECG, hypertension notifications, and sleep-apnea notifications. Apple Support lists up to 24 hours of normal use, 38 hours in Low Power Mode, 15 minutes ≈ 8 hours, and about 80% in 30 minutes. Ultra 4 (9 September 2026) is the new 49mm Grade 5 titanium adventure.
The verdict
Apple Watch Series 11 or Apple Watch Ultra 4 — quote the two manufacturer sheets.
Why: Series 11 is last year’s 42/46mm S10 watch: LTPO3 2000 nits, 24-hour / 38-hour Low Power table, depth gauge to 6m, hypertension and sleep-apnea notifications, L1 GPS, 50m + IP6X. It is on Apple’s watchOS 27 list (Series 9 or later). Ultra 4 is the new 49mm adventure SKU: S11, Health Sensing System, dual-frequency GPS, Action Button, satellite, 40m dive path, and 50 / 84 / 45 hours at $799. Leftover Series 11 stock is not priced as a fact here.
Buy Apple Watch Series 11 if
You find leftover Series 11 in 42mm or 46mm, you want 24-hour everyday battery as Apple published it, hypertension and sleep-apnea notifications, and you do not need satellite, dual-frequency GPS, or a 40m dive path.
Buy Apple Watch Ultra 4 if
You want Apple’s current 49mm adventure watch: Grade 5 titanium, Action Button, dual-frequency GPS, satellite SOS/Messages/Find My, Health Sensing System, and Apple’s 50-hour normal-use / 45-hour Max Extended Workout claims.
Spec comparison
OEM rows only. Series 11 numbers are from Apple Support 125093. Ultra 4 numbers are from apple.com/apple-watch-ultra-4/specs/. Cells Apple does not publish stay marked.
| Spec | Series 11 | Ultra 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Year introduced | 2025 (Support) | 2026 (Newsroom 9 September 2026) |
| Case size(s) | 42mm and 46mm | 49mm only |
| Case material | Aluminum or titanium | Grade 5 titanium |
| Dimensions (46mm / 49mm) | 46 × 39 × 9.7mm | 49 × 44 × 12mm |
| Display | Always-On Retina with wide-angle OLEDs and LTPO3; 42mm 374×446; 46mm 416×496; 326 ppi; up to 2000 nits; 1 nit min | Always-On LTPO3; 422×514; 326 ppi; 3,000 nits peak; 1 nit minimum |
| Front crystal | Ion-X with 2x scratch resistance vs Series 10 Ion-X (Apple claim, aluminum); sapphire (titanium) | Flat sapphire |
| Chip / storage | S10 chip, 64-bit dual-core, 4-core Neural Engine; 64GB | S11; 64GB |
| Battery — normal use | Up to 24 hours | Up to 50 hours |
| Battery — Low Power | Up to 38 hours | Up to 84 hours |
| Battery — outdoor workout | Not listed as Ultra’s outdoor / Extended / Max Extended table | Up to 18 hours outdoor; 25 hours Extended; 45 hours Max Extended Workout |
| Fast charge (OEM) | ~80% in about 30 minutes; 15 min ≈ 8 hours normal use | ~80% in about 45 minutes; 15 min ≈ 18 hours normal use |
| Weight (example SKUs) | Al GPS 46mm 37.8g; Al GPS 42mm 30.3g; Ti 46mm 43.1g | 63.0g natural titanium; 63.1g black titanium (case only) |
| GNSS | L1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou | Precision dual-frequency GPS |
| Water | 50m (ISO 22810:2010), swimproof as worded by Apple | 100m (ISO 22810:2010); EN 13319 recreational dive to 40m |
| Depth / water temp | Depth gauge to 6 meters; water temperature sensor | Depth gauge; water temperature; EN 13319 to 40m |
| Dust | IP6X | IP6X; MIL-STD-810H subsection list |
| Action Button / siren | Not on Support 125093 | Action Button; siren Apple says is audible to 180m / 600 feet |
| Satellite | Not listed | Emergency SOS, Messages, Find My via satellite |
| Heart rate | Third-generation optical + electrical heart sensor | Health Sensing System |
| ECG / Blood Oxygen | ECG app; Blood Oxygen app (region limits) | ECG app; Blood Oxygen app (region limits) |
| Hypertension / sleep apnea | Both listed on Support 125093 (footnotes / region / age limits) | Both listed on Ultra 4 specs (same class of footnotes) |
| OS / phone | Support lists iPhone 11 or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), with iOS 26 | watchOS 27; iPhone 11 or later / SE 2+, iOS 27 |
| watchOS 27 (Apple list) | Series 9 or later | On the list (Ultra 2 or later) |
| US start (dated) | Leftover 2025 SKU; no street price treated as fact | $799 (Newsroom, 9 September 2026) |
Who each watch is for
Series 11 is last year’s everyday Apple Watch: 42/46mm, S10, 24-hour normal-use claim, depth gauge to 6m, hypertension and sleep-apnea notifications. It is leftover stock in a September 2026 Series 12 world — still on Apple’s watchOS 27 list. This page does not invent a clearance price.
Ultra 4 is the new adventure Apple Watch. If you need the 49mm case, Action Button, dual-frequency GNSS, satellite radios, 40m dive path, Health Sensing System, or the 50 / 84 / 45-hour table, you are shopping the new Ultra, not leftover Series 11.
Leftover Series versus new Ultra
Series 11 remains a named 2025 SKU on Support 125093. Ultra 4 is the 9 September 2026 adventure launch at $799. Compare hardware. Do not invent a “typically $X off” leftover number.
Battery and charging
Copy Apple’s mode names. Series 11: 24h normal / 38h Low Power; 15 minutes → up to 8 hours; about 80% in 30 minutes (July–August 2025 tests). Ultra 4: 50 / 84 / 18 / 25 / 45 hours; 15 minutes → up to 18 hours. Max Extended Workout is outdoor run/walk/hike with GPS every second.
GNSS, water, and satellite
Series 11 is L1 GNSS, 50m + IP6X, and a depth gauge to 6m. Ultra 4 is dual-frequency GNSS, 100m / 40m dive, Action Button, and satellite. Six meters of depth gauge is not EN 13319 recreational scuba to 40m.
watchOS 27
Series 12 Newsroom, 9 September 2026: watchOS 27 is available for Series 9 or later, SE 3, and Ultra 2 or later, and requires iPhone 11 or later or iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) with iOS 27. Series 11 and Ultra 4 are both on that list. Series 11 Support still prints iOS 26 as the SKU pairing — cite both sentences.
Price
$799 is Apple’s published US starting price for Ultra 4 on 9 September 2026. Series 11 leftover tickets are not treated as facts.
Frequently asked questions
Does Series 11 get watchOS 27?
Yes, as Apple named the class. Series 12 Newsroom (9 September 2026): watchOS 27 is available for Apple Watch Series 9 or later, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later, and requires iPhone 11 or later or iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) with iOS 27. Series 11 is Series 9 or later. Support 125093 still prints iOS 26 as the Series 11 SKU pairing; watchOS 27’s phone requirement is iOS 27 on that same iPhone 11 / SE 2+ class.
Is Series 11 dual-frequency GPS?
Support 125093 lists L1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou. Ultra 4’s spec sheet lists precision dual-frequency GPS. Do not write L1+L5 on Series 11 unless Apple publishes it.
Can Series 11 dive to 40m?
No. Support 125093 lists a depth gauge to 6 meters and a water temperature sensor, plus 50m (ISO 22810:2010) swimproof wording that says the watch should not be used for scuba diving or high-velocity water. Ultra 4 lists 100m and EN 13319 recreational scuba to 40m.
Does Series 11 have hypertension and sleep-apnea notifications?
Yes, as listed on Support 125093, with Apple’s footnotes: hypertension notifications are not intended for people under 22, people previously diagnosed with hypertension, or pregnant persons; sleep-apnea notifications are for Series 9 and later, Ultra 2 and later, and SE 3, intended to detect signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea for people 18 or older without a diagnosis. Ultra 4 lists both notification classes as well. Region limits apply. This is not a clinical outcome claim.
What are the Series 11 battery claims versus Ultra 4?
Series 11 Support: up to 24 hours of normal use, up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode, 15 minutes for up to 8 hours of normal use, about 80% in 30 minutes (July–August 2025 Apple tests). Ultra 4: up to 50 hours normal, 84 hours Low Power, 15 minutes ≈ 18 hours, plus 18 / 25 / 45-hour outdoor / Extended / Max Extended Workout rows.
Is leftover Series 11 cheaper than Ultra 4?
This page does not treat a leftover or outlet ticket as a fact. Ultra 4 starts at $799 (US) on Apple Newsroom, 9 September 2026. Re-check live Apple or authorized-reseller pricing on the day you buy.