It's now late 2026 and Apple has just announced the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 — both powered by the new S11 chip and featuring a redesigned Health Sensing System. I'm still wearing the second-hand Ultra 2 I bought from CeX back in September 2024. The battery hasn't degraded noticeably, the case is still in excellent condition, and although I've worn through two straps I consider they really are just consumables. So the question I'm asking myself right now is the same one I asked two years ago, just updated: is there a compelling reason to upgrade? My honest answer, after looking carefully at what's new, is not yet — but the landscape has shifted enough that the comparison is worth revisiting properly, especially if you're coming to this fresh and trying to decide between the current lineup.
TL;DR — Apple's September 2026 event brought genuinely new technology to the Watch lineup for the first time in a while, with the S11 chip, higher-frequency heart rate and HRV sensing, a new readiness score feature, and a redesigned Health app arriving later in 2026. The Ultra 4 now claims up to 45 hours of outdoor workout battery life. These are real improvements, not just colour refreshes. But if you already own an Ultra 2 in good condition, the core experience — long battery life, rugged titanium case, full WatchOS feature set — remains entirely competitive. If you're buying new today, the Ultra 4 and Series 12 are the ones to consider. If you're buying smart on a budget, the Ultra 2 and Series 10 have dropped significantly in price on the second-hand market and remain excellent watches.
Contents
- What's new in 2026: Series 12, Ultra 4, and SE 3
- A look at the current Apple Watch lineup for 2026
- Entry level: Apple Watch SE 3
- Apple Watch Series 11 and Series 12
- Apple Watch Ultra 2, Ultra 3, and Ultra 4
- Comparing features across the current and recent Apple Watch range
- Apple Watch SE 3
- Apple Watch Series 12
- Apple Watch Ultra 4
- Comparing the recent predecessors — still excellent value on the second-hand market
- Apple Watch Series 10
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Two years on — is there a reason to upgrade from the Ultra 2?
Cast your mind back to September 2024. I'd just sold my Apple Watch Series 5 to CeX for £76 in vouchers and was looking for a replacement that could actually last more than a day on a charge. The Glowtime – September 2024 event was, frankly, underwhelming, with a lot of new colours and thinner bezels and not much else. The Ultra 2 was essentially unchanged from 2023, and the Series 10 in titanium was priced so close to the Ultra 2 that Apple might as well have been nudging you toward it. I ended up buying a Grade A second-hand Ultra 2 from CeX, paid mostly in trade-in vouchers, and walked out feeling quietly pleased with myself. Two years on, that decision still looks sound. But Apple's 2026 lineup is the most meaningfully updated Watch range in several years, and it deserves a proper look.
What's new in 2026: Series 12, Ultra 4, and SE 3
Apple announced three new models on September 9th 2026: the Apple Watch Series 12, the Apple Watch Ultra 4, and the Apple Watch SE 3. All three represent a more substantive generational step than we saw in 2024, largely because of the S11 chip and a new Health Sensing System shared across the range.
The Series 12 is the headline consumer model. It's powered by the S11 chip — described by Apple as the most powerful wearable chip they've made — and introduces a new optical heart rate sensor that Apple claims is the most accurate in any wearable. Heart rate is now tracked every five seconds throughout the day, and HRV readings can be taken as frequently as every five minutes. There's a new personal readiness score feature aimed at helping you understand recovery and training load. The display on aluminium models is now protected by Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says is 60% tougher than the Ion-X glass used previously. The Series 12 is available in an unusually wide range of finishes: dark bronze, light gold, black, space gray, and radiant gold in aluminium and titanium, plus pearl white and night blue ceramic options. Battery life is quoted at up to 24 hours normal use, with fast charging capable of adding up to 12 hours in just 15 minutes. A redesigned Health app with a new Longevity tab and Health Age feature is coming later in 2026.
The Ultra 4 takes all of that and adds the endurance credentials the Ultra line is known for. Battery life has jumped to up to 45 hours for outdoor workout tracking, and Apple claims the most accurate on-device GPS in any sports watch. The new Health Sensing System is present here too, along with Apple Intelligence powering Siri AI directly on the watch via watchOS 27. Satellite communications are now supported. The Ultra 4 remains in a 49mm titanium case and is available in natural and black finishes. Audio Intelligence features are arriving later in 2026.
The SE 3 continues as the accessible entry point, available in midnight and starlight, and remains the on-ramp for new Apple Watch users who don't need the full health sensing suite.
A look at the current Apple Watch lineup for 2026
The comparison that follows covers the current new models alongside the recent predecessors that are now available at reduced prices on the second-hand and refurbished market. My own criteria haven't changed much: I want blood oxygen monitoring, sleep apnoea notifications, multi-day battery life, and the full WatchOS feature set. I want whatever I buy to be under some form of guarantee. Here's how the range stacks up.
Entry level: Apple Watch SE 3
The Apple Watch SE 3 is the sensible starting point for anyone new to Apple Watch. It covers the essentials — heart rate, crash detection, fall detection, emergency SOS, sleep tracking, GPS and cellular options — at the lowest price in the range. It doesn't have the Blood Oxygen app or sleep apnoea notifications, which rules it out for me, but as an on-ramp it does exactly what it needs to. Available in midnight and starlight aluminium.
Apple Watch Series 11 and Series 12
The Series 11, which launched in 2025, added longer battery life over the Series 10 and brought 5G cellular support without a price increase — making it a smart second-hand buy right now that prices have eased. It has the full health feature set including blood oxygen and sleep apnoea detection.
The Series 12 is the current model and the most capable standard Apple Watch Apple has ever made. The new Health Sensing System with five-second heart rate tracking and frequent HRV readings is a genuine step forward, not a marketing exercise. If you're buying new at the standard tier, the Series 12 is the obvious choice. Once you spec it up to a titanium case with comparable finish to the Ultra 4, the price gap between the two narrows considerably — Apple's pricing logic at work again.
Apple Watch Ultra 2, Ultra 3, and Ultra 4
The Ultra 3 launched in 2025 as an incremental update to the Ultra 2, and the Ultra 4 is the current top-tier model as of September 2026. The Ultra 4's 45-hour outdoor workout battery life is a meaningful improvement over the Ultra 2's 36-hour normal use and 72-hour low power mode figures, particularly for endurance athletes. The S11 chip, new Health Sensing System, Apple Intelligence, and satellite communications round out a genuinely upgraded package.
The original Ultra 2 — the one I bought in 2024 — is now available second-hand at prices that make it an exceptional value proposition for anyone who wants the Ultra experience without the Ultra 4 price tag. It still runs the latest watchOS, still has blood oxygen, sleep apnoea detection, dual-frequency GPS, the siren, 40m depth rating, and that multi-day battery. Nothing about the core experience has become obsolete.
Comparing features across the current and recent Apple Watch range
Apple Watch SE 3
The entry-level Apple Watch SE 3 covers the essentials at the lowest price in the current lineup. Available in midnight and starlight aluminium. Functionality includes:
- High and low heart rate notifications
- Irregular rhythm notifications
- Low cardio fitness notifications
- Sleep Tracking
- Vitals app (heart rate, respiratory rate, sleep duration)
- Cycle tracking
- Emergency SOS and International Emergency Calling
- Fall Detection and Crash Detection
- Water resistant, swimproof
- GPS
- Cellular and Wi-Fi only options
- Siri
- Find iPhone
- Up to 18 hours normal use
- Aluminium finish in midnight and starlight
Apple Watch Series 12
The current standard Apple Watch, announced September 2026, powered by the S11 chip with a new Health Sensing System. Available in 46mm or 42mm aluminium, titanium, or ceramic. Functionality (additions over Series 10 in bold) includes:
- ECG app
- High and low heart rate notifications
- Irregular rhythm notifications
- Low cardio fitness notifications
- Blood Oxygen app
- Sleep Tracking
- Sleep apnoea notifications
- Vitals app featuring heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, blood oxygen and sleep duration
- Temperature sensing
- Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
- Emergency SOS and International Emergency Calling
- Fall Detection and Crash Detection
- Water resistant WR 50M and IP6X
- Swimproof
- Depth gauge to 6m
- Water temperature sensor
- GPS
- Cellular and Wi-Fi only options
- S11 SiP
- New Health Sensing System — heart rate every 5 seconds, HRV up to every 5 minutes
- Personal readiness score
- Double tap gesture
- Apple Intelligence — Siri AI on device via watchOS 27
- Precision Finding for iPhone
- Up to 24 hours normal use
- Up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode
- Fast charging — up to 12 hours added in 15 minutes
- Ceramic Shield 2 on aluminium models (60% tougher than Ion-X)
- Aluminium in dark bronze, light gold, black, space gray; Titanium in radiant gold, natural; Ceramic in pearl white, night blue
- Health Age feature and Longevity tab in redesigned Health app (coming late 2026)
Apple Watch Ultra 4
The current top-tier Apple Watch, announced September 2026, powered by the S11 chip in a 49mm titanium case. Functionality (additions over Ultra 2 in bold) includes:
- ECG app
- High and low heart rate notifications
- Irregular rhythm notifications
- Low cardio fitness notifications
- Blood Oxygen app
- Sleep Tracking
- Sleep apnoea notifications
- Vitals app featuring heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, blood oxygen and sleep duration
- Temperature sensing
- Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
- Emergency SOS and International Emergency Calling
- Fall Detection and Crash Detection
- Siren
- Water resistant 100m
- Swimproof
- Depth gauge to 40m
- Water temperature sensor
- High-speed water sports
- Recreational scuba to 40m
- Precision dual-frequency GPS
- Most accurate on-device GPS claimed for a sports watch
- Cellular connectivity
- S11 SiP
- New Health Sensing System — heart rate every 5 seconds, HRV up to every 5 minutes
- Personal readiness score
- Double tap gesture
- Apple Intelligence — Siri AI on device via watchOS 27
- Precision Finding for iPhone
- Up to 45 hours outdoor workout battery life
- Up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode
- Fast charging
- Satellite communications
- Audio Intelligence features (arriving later 2026)
- Titanium finish in natural and black
Comparing the recent predecessors — still excellent value on the second-hand market
The same logic that led me to buy a second-hand Ultra 2 in 2024 applies today for buyers on a tighter budget. The Ultra 2, Ultra 3, Series 10, and Series 11 have all dropped meaningfully in price since their respective launches and remain fully supported on the latest watchOS. Here's a reminder of what those watches offer.
Apple Watch Series 10
Launched September 2024, the Series 10 was the first standard Apple Watch with a depth gauge and water temperature sensor. It has an Always-On LTPO3 OLED display up to 2,000 nits and fast charging (0–80% in about 30 minutes). Full health feature set including blood oxygen and sleep apnoea. Available second-hand at significantly reduced prices. Functionality includes:
- ECG app
- Blood Oxygen app
- Sleep apnoea notifications
- High and low heart rate notifications
- Irregular rhythm notifications
- Temperature sensing
- Vitals app
- Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
- Emergency SOS and International Emergency Calling
- Fall Detection and Crash Detection
- Depth gauge to 6m, water temperature sensor
- GPS, Cellular and Wi-Fi options
- S10 SiP
- Double tap gesture
- Precision Finding for iPhone
- Up to 18 hours normal use; up to 36 hours Low Power Mode
- Aluminium in jet black, rose gold, silver; Titanium in slate, gold, natural
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Launched September 2023, relaunched with black titanium finish in September 2024. 49mm titanium case, LTPO2 OLED Always-On Retina display up to 3,000 nits. Full health feature set, multi-day battery, precision dual-frequency GPS, 40m depth rating. Still fully supported on the latest watchOS. The author's own watch, purchased second-hand in 2024, remains in daily use with no appreciable battery degradation. Functionality includes:
- ECG app
- Blood Oxygen app
- Sleep apnoea notifications
- High and low heart rate notifications
- Irregular rhythm notifications
- Temperature sensing
- Vitals app
- Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
- Emergency SOS and International Emergency Calling
- Fall Detection and Crash Detection
- Siren
- Water resistant 100m; depth gauge to 40m; water temperature sensor
- High-speed water sports; recreational scuba to 40m
- Precision dual-frequency GPS
- Cellular connectivity
- S9 SiP
- Double tap gesture
- Precision Finding for iPhone
- Up to 36 hours normal use; up to 72 hours Low Power Mode
- Titanium in natural and black
Two years on — is there a reason to upgrade from the Ultra 2?
I've been wearing my Ultra 2 every day since September 2024. I've been through two straps — the braided Solo Loop is perfectly serviceable but does eventually get grubby worn and looser and at that point you replace it rather than clean it. I replaced mine with an Alpine Loop in Green which is perfoct for me and still avaliable cheaply from Computer Exchange. The case itself shows no meaningful wear. The battery still lasts around three days in normal use, which remains the single most liberating thing about this watch.
