Apple Watch Ultra 4 Leaks Point to Thinnest-Ever Redesign, Blood Pressure Monitoring, and September 2026 Launch

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is shaping up to be the biggest upgrade in the Ultra line's history. Multiple reliable sources — including DigiTimes, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and 9to5Mac — have converged on a picture of dramatic hardware changes coming this September.

Confirmed Leaks

• 15% thinner: Down from 14.4mm (Ultra 3) to approximately 12.2mm — the thinnest Ultra ever
• Blood pressure monitoring: A new high blood pressure notification feature, currently under FDA review
• LTPO3 OLED display: Rumored up to 3,200 nits peak brightness with slimmer bezels
• New S12 chip: Built on 3nm architecture for better performance and efficiency
• Redesigned action button: New material finishes and button layout
• Price: Expected to hold at $799, though some analysts suggest a possible increase to $899

What DigiTimes Said

DigiTimes — widely considered the most reliable Apple supply chain publication — described the Ultra 4 in unusually strong terms: a "major redesign" with a "significant upgrade to sensing functions." This language is rare from DigiTimes and suggests the changes go beyond incremental.

Should You Buy Ultra 3 Now or Wait?

September is roughly 10 weeks away. If you can wait, the Ultra 4 looks worth it — the thinner design and blood pressure monitoring alone could justify the upgrade. If you need a rugged smartwatch now, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 at $639 remains excellent, especially at its current post-Prime-Day discount. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is another strong option for Android users, and Samsung's own Ultra 2 arrives July 22. Compare all options in our smartwatch guide.