| Apple Watch Ultra | COROS Vertix | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $799 | $699★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 63g★ | 73g |
| Water resistance | 100m★ | 10ATM |
| Battery | 2.1 days | 140 days★ |
| Always-on display | ✅★ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS only | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Sep 18, 2026 | Oct 1, 2023 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | bad |
| Deals advice | neutral | good★ |
| Next model | — | COROS Vertix 4 (Leaked September 2026 — no launch date announced) |
The Ultra 4 lasts roughly twice as long as the Series 12, with up to 45 hours of GPS workout tracking in Max Extended Workout mode. Satellite Emergency SOS works without cellular or WiFi coverage.
The new health sensing system samples heart rate every five seconds all day and HRV every five minutes, feeding a 0–10 readiness score.
The 49mm titanium case and 3000-nit display make this watch usable in full direct sunlight and water depths up to 100m (recreational scuba diving to 40m).
No other GPS watch currently on the market delivers 140 hours of GPS tracking — enough for most ultra-endurance events and multi-day mountain traverses.
GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + BeiDou + QZSS with dual-frequency reduces error in challenging terrain to near-meter precision.
Military-grade scratch and impact resistance for the harshest environments: extreme altitude, cold, and sustained physical stress.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$699 vs $799 over 3 years.
140 days vs 2.1 days battery.
12 sensors · 0.2 Hz HR sampling.
63g.
Serious athletes, trail runners, triathletes, and outdoor adventurers who need the most durable, most accurate GPS watch Apple makes. Also for iPhone users who simply want the best Apple Watch regardless of sport, and value the extra battery life over the Series 12.
Full details →Expedition athletes, mountaineers, and ultra-endurance competitors who do multi-day or multi-week events where charging is impossible. If you need GPS tracking for 140 continuous hours, no other watch comes close.
Full details →