Ultra 4 in Sept 2026?

[4sallypat]

Will it get the always on heartrate feature that the AW12 is getting ?

 

[Scarboose]

For years I’ve been slowly decreasing my upgrade tempo. I’ve had Mac’s, iPads, iPhones, Apple Watches, but they are getting expensive. I make good money, and these devices used to be my guilty pleasure. But it actually - seriously - doesn’t even excite me after most events anymore. I’ve even skipped the last two altogether. Which I used to take a whole day off work to watch them and follow the news.

Hearing the garbage rumors about the ultra - even the thinner design sounds like it may not happen - I am finally looking seriously at a garmin. I know - I know - crazy. If the price of the ultra goes up, there is no redesign, the battery life doesn’t significantly increase, I’m out. The the drop in price of the Fenix 8 with the 9 coming out might get me. Don’t need to spend 1k on a watch but a Black Friday deal on a fenix 8 around $749… yea. See ya Apple.

I was also due for a phone upgrade. I’m less enthused by the day on that too. I will upgrade that again, but man, it sincerely feels like Apple just takes us for granted anymore.

I WANT to upgrade. I’m READY to spend money, but Give me a real reason. I will be watching this event hoping to see something interesting. Not even revolutionary… just interesting.

If the watch stays the same price, gains significant battery, and has some surprise new function… I may stay in the garden. But if the first two don’t hit I’ll vote with my wallet.

If the phones have more battery, web accessible satellite service, and more significant camera upgrades…. Then I may have some thinking to do. It’s possible for the iPhone. But im not holding my breath for the watch.

This actually bums me out more than I would like to admit.

I don't think Apple takes us for granted. I think hardware in general is just plateauing, which is why I think you're less excited. Battery life is what gets people excited now 🫠

 

[jz0309]

I don't think Apple takes us for granted. I think hardware in general is just plateauing, which is why I think you're less excited. Battery life is what gets people excited now 🫠

agree, computing HW has plateau'd for a long time now (PC or Mac for 10+ years, smartphones for 5+ years and AW probably 3-4 years), and there really is (almost) no reason to upgrade frequently, at least not for the average consumer.
As for the AW, I' just disappointed that no new HW health sensors/features have been added after S8 was released (wist temp), all other ne health features were SW based.
But here we are ...

 

[Rainshadow]

I don't think Apple takes us for granted. I think hardware in general is just plateauing, which is why I think you're less excited. Battery life is what gets people excited now 🫠

My point exactly. And they barely move on it. I don’t have high standards to excite me. I know tech plateaus and I don’t want a style change just for the sake of change.

If they simply doubled the battery life - or produced different modes that allowed 1 week of battery life - you got me. Done.

Maybe we will get that. It’s why I’m watching.

But on low power mode, some full sized Garmins can go 107 days. Meanwhile they have gps enabled modes that last just a few days. Apple should be able to play around with settings in a similar way to give us 7 days at LEAST while allowing us some customization of functionality.

That’s all I’m asking.

I was a day one purchaser of an ultra. But I can be away from power for a weekend regularly and a week often enough. I assumed they would continue to push battery but it’s been only incremental with a few hours here and there. I know some people never leave home or a hotel, and can charge daily or couple days. But that’s not what their ads show and not how the continued generations on the ultra should be going in my opinion.

I’m whining - sure. I’m sorry. But when I can no longer justify the rising prices of one of my favorite products, I get frustrated. One more week. Maybe there will be some surprises.

 

[Mike330R]

Garmin has solar charging to top off the battery when not connected to actual power. Why does everyone keep comparing the Apple Watch to the Garmin when the Apple has no solar?

 

[MarkX]

Garmin has solar charging to top off the battery when not connected to actual power. Why does everyone keep comparing the Apple Watch to the Garmin when the Apple has no solar?

Just to add, Garmin only has solar on their MIP displays, for some MIP is good but the market has mostly moved to Amoled. So if you want solar you lose a bright vibrant display .

 

[BigMcGuire]

Garmin has solar charging to top off the battery when not connected to actual power. Why does everyone keep comparing the Apple Watch to the Garmin when the Apple has no solar?

Just to add, Garmin only has solar on their MIP displays, for some MIP is good but the market has mostly moved to Amoled. So if you want solar you lose a bright vibrant display .

Agreed - this is something that always made me raise my eyebrow when Garmin Watch users come on here and act like Apple is "behind" because it isn't doing the same thing Garmin is. I have a marathon runner in my family (Boston) who has Garmin. They're great fitness devices for running - they last forever on a charge. But they aren't Apple Watches...

If I turn off my Apple Watch Ultra 3 I can make it tell time with a button press and it will last many months on a charge.

My Japanese Casio 5000U can last on a charge 22 months - with some sunlight 15-20 years on a "charge" - but it isn't a Garmin or an Apple Watch.


What can my Apple Watch do that Garmin can't do easily/officially?

Unlock and Authenticate with my Apple Devices (iPhone/Mac). Manage iPhone notifications (2 way). Cellular connectivity - able to leave phone at home. Haptic alarm well tied into my phone based on focus status (and ability to change that on watch). Ability to use Apple Music, Apps to unlock/drive cars (Tesla), open DOOR locks at my apartment, TCXO for super accurate time keeping, on device assistant, crash detection, and ... Apple Pay. Apple Fitness+ integration... I could go on and on. Voice to text...

I wear an Apple Watch because of the ability to interface with my phone, have super accurate time keeping, haptic alarm tied into my phone's alarm / focus modes, and cellular to leave my phone at home while driving my car/paying for things/opening my front door and apartment gates.

There are trade offs. Everyone has to find what works for them.