CNET

Apple Watch Ultra 4 Battery Test: Apple Undersold It

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 beat Apple’s battery claims in our testing, but it’s not the only Apple Watch getting a boost. I put its battery life and new Readiness Score to the test to find out whether they’re worth the upgrade. Full review: You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below…

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The Apple Watch Ultra 4 beat Apple’s battery claims in our testing, but it’s not the only Apple Watch getting a boost. I put its battery life and new Readiness Score to the test to find out whether they’re worth the upgrade. Full review:

You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below
Apple Watch Ultra 4 GPS + Cellular 49mm Smartwatch
*CNET may get a commission on these offers

Read more about Apple Watch Ultra 4 on CNET.com
The Brand-New Apple Watch Ultra 4 Is Already $99 Off, a New Low Price for This Model

Timecode Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:06 Battery Life & Extended Workout Modes
3:02 Running Battery Test
5:32 Battery Test Results & Metrics Comparison
6:29 Fast Charging Speed
6:51 Readiness Score Feature
9:43 Audio Intelligence Feature
10:10 Final Verdict & Recommendation

Video Credits:
Host: Vanessa Hand Orellana
Scripted by: Vanessa Hand Orellana
Producer: Celso Bulgatti
Camera: Celso Bulgatti
Video Editor: Dillon Lopez
Thumbnail Designer: Cole Kan

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#smartwatches #apple #Apple Watch Ultra 4

41 Comments

  1. @nuraprilia9694

    October 12, 2026 at 10:13 am

    Drop test!

  2. @HarlemGreatest

    October 12, 2026 at 10:48 am

    If it’s not 2 weeks or more who cares. I don’t need to be monitoring battery life on a watch

    • @nunyabeezwacks1408

      October 12, 2026 at 12:11 pm

      I care, as do others who have purchased it.

    • @HarlemGreatest

      October 12, 2026 at 5:31 pm

      @nunyabeezwacks1408 an idiot is born everyday . apple love fools with their money draining incremental upgrade ..

  3. @dougenhall5638

    October 12, 2026 at 11:02 am

    You should test tracking through Strava, while also using it to run the music to your headphones! My Ultra 2 died 3km out from the end of a marathon, from 100% the night before. Just using the standard apple fitness app will barely drain battery

    • @vanessahandorellana

      October 12, 2026 at 12:35 pm

      Noooooo!!!!!! That’s devastating!!!! I would’ve been 😤🤬

    • @Justin-uc8sc

      October 12, 2026 at 6:39 pm

      How is that even possible? I ran a 6h23m ultra last year with my Ultra 1 and had 40% left

  4. @sunflash9

    October 12, 2026 at 11:50 am

    Doesn’t matter, still too short on battery.

  5. @Jpvashon

    October 12, 2026 at 12:13 pm

    Get 10-14 days with Whoop Band

    • @alexanderfazel

      October 12, 2026 at 1:35 pm

      Nah. Whoop has no other features that a smart watch has and you have pay subscription fees.

    • @GHinWI

      October 12, 2026 at 1:36 pm

      …in part because it barely does anything

    • @Jpvashon

      October 12, 2026 at 1:59 pm

      @alexanderfazel I wear both. The subscription fees are a pain but Whoop does so much more than the Ultra and uses AI. Sleep is much better documented and quite a few other metrics as well. I have been wearing the Whoop for 70 days

  6. @VohnJaymedia

    October 12, 2026 at 12:34 pm

    Great review! I also chuckled so loud when you fell when your were “alseep” with the watch needed that!

    • @Vane-hand-orelllana

      October 12, 2026 at 4:36 pm

      Thanks haha. In hindsight, I probably should’ve put some pillows down, cause that actually hurt!

  7. @TopTomThing

    October 12, 2026 at 12:40 pm

    remember how apple watch 1 normalized the silly 12-hour battery life? these devices are toys not spots watches in my opinion.

  8. @GHinWI

    October 12, 2026 at 1:34 pm

    This is what I was thinking.

    The battery seems to last forever compared to my OG ultra.

  9. @GregoriusAM

    October 12, 2026 at 2:05 pm

    I really love your videos. Very informative, well shot, well edited. I always come away thinking that that was well worth my time watching. Thank you so much. 😊

    And that shot of you falling off the couch because of the weight of the watch?! Priceless. 😂

    • @Vane-hand-orelllana

      October 12, 2026 at 4:34 pm

      Truly appreciate the encouraging feedback!! 💕 In hindsight, “falling” off the bed was not the greatest idea hahah. Was pretty sore after!

    • @GregoriusAM

      October 12, 2026 at 5:14 pm

      @Vane-hand-orelllana🤣

  10. @robbienayuh

    October 12, 2026 at 2:11 pm

    VO back at it again! 🫡 to you hermana 👏🏽.

    • @Vane-hand-orelllana

      October 12, 2026 at 3:38 pm

      Gracias por el apoyo 💕 Saludos 🫡

    • @robbienayuh

      October 12, 2026 at 3:43 pm

      @Vane-hand-orelllana 🫶🏽

  11. @lunar3129

    October 12, 2026 at 2:14 pm

    maybe I’m tweaking but even on my series 12, the battery lasts longer than what they advertised it seems.

    • @Vane-hand-orelllana

      October 12, 2026 at 4:32 pm

      You’re definitely not tweaking! I got a more than advertised too. And that’s even without the two battery saving modes in workouts. That’ll be a game changer, you should try them too!

  12. @CNET

    October 12, 2026 at 2:30 pm

    Read more about Apple Watch Ultra 4 on CNET.com: The Brand-New Apple Watch Ultra 4 Is Already $99 Off, a New Low Price for This Model

  13. @manishnailwal4178

    October 12, 2026 at 2:38 pm

    Paid puppets.

  14. @KrishnaSingh-rg4qk

    October 12, 2026 at 3:44 pm

    ❤

  15. @KrishnaSingh-rg4qk

    October 12, 2026 at 3:45 pm

    Will trade my ultra 2

  16. @amrknu

    October 12, 2026 at 4:19 pm

    I use the Ultra for a couple of years but i still dont understand how Huawei can give the user 11 days battery life in a similar watch and Apple only 2-3 days…

  17. @MaxDelorean2

    October 12, 2026 at 4:38 pm

    Look how scratched up it is already at 1:10. That is disappointing! I’m glad I didn’t buy it.

  18. @kumarashwarya2185

    October 12, 2026 at 5:04 pm

    My coros tracks heart rate every second and lasts like 12 days with 3-4 runs during those days + gym sessions.

    Like why am I going to spend 800 bucks on a sub-par AI assistant. Also I don’t need to use touchscreen to use my watch.

  19. @akritbehera7751

    October 12, 2026 at 6:10 pm

    use siri?

  20. @Oharsh0928

    October 12, 2026 at 6:18 pm

    Why do you have airplane mode on? I might have missed it if you said why in your video?

    • @vanessahandorellana

      October 12, 2026 at 7:10 pm

      Mostly for consistency. Wanted to make sure I wasn’t getting any calls or notifications that could sway results. Also to force it to use the onboard GPS rather than relying on phone GPS which might also sway results

    • @Oharsh0928

      October 12, 2026 at 7:19 pm

      @vanessahandorellanagotcha. Thanks

  21. @Justin-uc8sc

    October 12, 2026 at 6:32 pm

    If for whatever reason you need it for a 500 hour ultramarathon or whatever, you can use extended mode with an external heart rate chest strap for instant readings without affecting the battery

    • @vanessahandorellana

      October 12, 2026 at 7:08 pm

      Great tip!!

  22. @nisarmohammad3638

    October 12, 2026 at 6:34 pm

    Readiness Score 11:30 By discouraging alcohol consumption, Islam aligns with the Apple Watch’s health insights,

    both recognizing that staying clear of alcohol protects your physical recovery and long-term vitality

  23. @DavidGonzalez-kv1nc

    October 12, 2026 at 6:40 pm

    I easily get 2 days with my ultra 4 with daily workouts ranging from
    60-90min WHILE listening to audiobooks (Audible app). The simplicity of media AND fitness is the main reason I have stayed with the Apple Watch. I was a long time Garmin user, but they just didn’t measure up and honestly, it’s not like I’m not near an outlet every other days.

  24. @BroAnarchy

    October 12, 2026 at 7:23 pm

    60 hours (or 2 ½ days) ain’t bad, but i think it could ×definitely× be better

  25. @adamchase1517

    October 12, 2026 at 9:27 pm

    I can’t seem to finish the battery Everytime I think it’s about to die I check and it’s still got 35% left

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