Comparison · Fitness watches · Desk research
Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Ultra
Quick Answer
Series 4 (2018) and the original Apple Watch Ultra (2022) are both discontinued, and both sit off Apple’s watchOS 27 list. Series 4 Support lists the S4 SiP, 16GB, 40/44mm, Force Touch LTPO OLED (not Always-On), 1000 nits, GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS, 50m, electrical + optical HR, and up to 18 hours from an August 2018 test. Ultra 1 Support lists 49mm titanium, 410×502 LTPO2 Always-On at 2000 nits, S8 32GB, L1 and L5 GPS, 100m, IP6X, MIL-STD-810H, dive-ready to 40m, 61.3g, up.
The verdict
Apple Watch Series 4 or Apple Watch Ultra — quote the two manufacturer sheets.
Why: Neither watch is on Apple’s watchOS 27 list (Series 9 or later, SE 3, Ultra 2 or later). Series 4 is the 2018 40/44mm ECG-debut watch with Force Touch, 16GB, and an 18-hour August 2018 test. Original Ultra (2022) is 49mm titanium, S8 32GB, Always-On LTPO2 at 2000 nits, L1+L5 GPS, Action Button, 100m / 40m dive, 36 hours / 18 hours LTE — and no satellite row on Support 111852. This slug must not 301 to Series 4 vs Ultra 4.
Buy Apple Watch Series 4 if
You already wear Series 4, ECG plus 50m swimproof still cover what you do, and you are not shopping for a 49mm titanium case, dual-frequency GPS, or a 40m dive path.
Buy Apple Watch Ultra if
You specifically want the original Ultra’s 49mm titanium adventure hardware (Action Button, L1+L5 GPS, 100m / 40m dive, 36-hour claim) and you accept that Apple did not list satellite on Ultra 1 and did not name Ultra 1 on the watchOS 27 list.
Spec comparison
OEM rows only. Series 4 numbers are from Apple Support 111984. Original Ultra numbers are from Apple Support 111852. Action Button wording also cites Apple’s 7 September 2022 Ultra Newsroom. Cells Apple does not publish stay marked.
This page is notSeries 4 vs Ultra 4. Do not 301.
| Spec | Series 4 | Ultra (1st generation, 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Year introduced | 2018 (Newsroom 12 September 2018) | 2022 (Support; Newsroom 7 September 2022) |
| Case size(s) | 40mm and 44mm | 49mm only |
| Case material | Aluminum or stainless steel | Titanium (Support: aerospace-grade titanium) |
| Dimensions (44mm / 49mm) | 44 × 38 × 10.7mm | 49 × 44 × 12mm |
| Display | LTPO OLED with Force Touch; 40mm 324×394; 44mm 368×448; 1000 nits. Always-On not listed | LTPO2 OLED Always-On; 410×502; up to 2000 nits |
| Chip / storage | S4, 64-bit dual-core; 16GB | S8 SiP, 64-bit dual-core; 32GB |
| Battery — normal use | Up to 18 hours (Apple test, August 2018) | Up to 36 hours (Support); Newsroom also: up to 36 hours during normal use with iPhone present |
| Battery — extra modes | Not listed on Support 111984 | Up to 18 hours LTE (Support). Newsroom 2022 also: low-power setting up to 60 hours |
| Weight (example SKUs) | Al 40mm 30.1g; Al 44mm 36.7g; SS heavier (39.8g / 47.9g) | 61.3g titanium |
| GNSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS (no dual-frequency row) | L1 and L5 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou |
| Water | 50m (ISO 22810:2010); Apple: not scuba | 100m (ISO 22810); recreational scuba to 40m with compatible App Store dive app, per Support footnote |
| Dust / MIL | Not listed | IP6X; tested to MIL-STD-810H (listed subsections) |
| Dive | Not listed | Dive ready to 40m / 130 ft; depth gauge; water temperature sensor |
| Action Button | Not listed | Customizable Action Button (2022 Newsroom; Ultra models user guide) |
| Satellite | Not listed | Not listed on Support 111852 |
| Heart rate | Electrical + optical heart sensor | Electrical heart sensor (ECG app); third-generation optical heart sensor; Blood Oxygen sensor |
| ECG | ECG debut (Newsroom 2018; Series 4+, excluding SE) | ECG app (Series 4+, excluding SE) |
| OS / phone | Original Support pairing: iPhone 6 or later + iOS 12 (cellular); iPhone 5s or later + iOS 12 (GPS) | Support lists iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16 or later |
| watchOS 27 (Apple list) | Not named | Not named (list starts at Ultra 2) |
| US start (dated) | Discontinued; no street price treated as fact | Discontinued; 2022 launch price not restated as a 2026 street fact |
Who each watch is for
Series 4 is the 2018 40/44mm ECG-debut watch. Force Touch, 16GB, 18-hour August 2018 test, 50m swimproof, no Always-On, no Action Button, no dual-frequency GPS, no 40m dive path.
Original Ultra is the 2022 49mm adventure watch that introduced the titanium Ultra shell, Action Button, L1+L5 GPS, and 40m dive path. It does not have the satellite radios later Ultra spec sheets list. Both watches are old. Neither is Ultra 4.
Do not 301 to Series 4 vs Ultra 4
/watches/apple-watch-series-4-vs-apple-watch-ultra-4/ is the legacy-current spoke (S11, satellite, 50-hour table). This old-vs-old URL stays. Reciprocal link only.
watchOS 27 — quote Apple
Series 12 Newsroom, 9 September 2026: “watchOS 27 will be 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 or later.” Series 4 and Ultra 1 are not on that sentence.
Battery
Copy Apple’s mode names. Series 4: up to 18 hours (August 2018 test). Ultra 1 Support: up to 36 hours and up to 18 hours LTE. The 2022 Newsroom also published a low-power setting “up to 60 hours.” Do not invent Max Extended Workout on Ultra 1.
GNSS, water, Action Button, satellite
Series 4 is single-band GPS and 50m swimproof. Ultra 1 is L1+L5 GPS, 100m / 40m dive, IP6X, MIL-STD-810H, and Action Button. Satellite is not a Support 111852 row. That absence is the honest Ultra 1 vs later Ultra fork.
Price
Both SKUs are discontinued. Apple Support is the spec source. This page does not treat classifieds or refurb tickets as facts.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same page as Series 4 vs Ultra 4?
No. /watches/apple-watch-series-4-vs-apple-watch-ultra-4/ compares Series 4 with the 2026 Ultra 4 (satellite, S11, 50-hour table, watchOS 27 on the Ultra side). This slug compares Series 4 with the original 2022 Ultra. Do not 301 either URL.
Does original Ultra have satellite messaging?
Not on Support 111852. That page lists LTE/UMTS, Emergency SOS, and international emergency calling — not Emergency SOS / Messages / Find My via satellite. Satellite radios arrive on Ultra 3. Ultra 1 and Ultra 2 do not list them.
Does original Ultra have an Action Button?
Yes. Apple’s 7 September 2022 Newsroom post introducing Apple Watch Ultra describes a customizable Action button. Apple’s watch user guide covers the Action button on Apple Watch Ultra models. Support 111852 is the numeric spec source for case, display, battery, and dive ratings.
Do Series 4 or Ultra 1 get watchOS 27?
Apple’s Series 12 Newsroom (9 September 2026) says watchOS 27 will be 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 4 and Ultra 1 are not on that list. This page quotes Apple.
Does Series 4 have dual-frequency GPS or a 40m dive path?
No. Series 4 Support lists GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS, and 50m under ISO 22810:2010 (not scuba). Ultra 1 Support lists L1 and L5 GPS and dive-ready to 40m / 130 ft with 100m water resistance.