Apple’s next high-end smartwatch is starting to take shape, and the latest report points to the biggest Apple Watch Ultra upgrade since the product first launched. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is now expected to arrive with a “full redesign” alongside major improvements to its health tracking system, which signals a much larger update than the yearly refresh most users expected.
Digitimes previously reported that Apple was planning design “alterations,” improved efficiency, and a larger sensor system for the new model. The latest update now describes those changes in much stronger terms, repeatedly using phrases like “major redesign” and “significant upgrade to sensing functions.”
According to the report:
“Market expectations are that the 2H26 high-end Apple Watch refresh will bring a significant upgrade to sensing functions alongside a full redesign.”
The report also states that Taiwan-Asia Semiconductor, also known as TASC, will remain Apple’s exclusive sensor supplier and is expected to benefit heavily from the new watch due to large-volume orders beginning as early as July.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 could bring improved blood pressure monitoring
One of the most important upgrades reportedly coming to Apple Watch Ultra 4 involves blood pressure tracking. The feature reportedly uses the optical heart-rate sensor to analyze how blood vessels react to each heartbeat before sending alerts if it detects abnormal patterns.
The report says the feature is currently under FDA review, which suggests Apple is aiming for a more advanced and clinically reliable implementation than the Hypertension Notifications feature introduced with watchOS 26.
Earlier reports also mentioned exterior design changes, including a ring-like arrangement with eight sensors on the back of the device. That aligns closely with the latest claims about upgraded sensing hardware and a “full redesign.”
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected to launch alongside the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone Ultra later this fall. Apple is also reportedly expanding its Ultra branding across more products, including future MacBook and AirPods models.
