Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Full details →| Apple Watch Ultra | Polar Grit X | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $799★ | $999 |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 63g | 57g★ |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m |
| Battery | 2.1 days | 40 days★ |
| Always-on display | ✅★ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS only | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Sep 18, 2026 | Apr 11, 2024 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | bad |
| Deals advice | neutral | great★ |
| Next model | — | — |
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).
Five times the battery of the Vantage V3 — enough for week-long mountain stages or ultramarathons without charging access.
Automatically segments your run by uphill and downhill sections, calculating pace and power for each — essential for mountain race training.
Running power without a chest strap or foot pod, built into the watch.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$799 vs $999 over 3 years.
40 days vs 2.1 days battery.
12 sensors · 0.2 Hz HR sampling.
57g.
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 →Trail runners, hikers, and outdoor athletes who want Polar's analytics with significantly longer battery life than the Vantage V3. The titanium case and sapphire glass make it suitable for technical terrain where watch durability matters.
Full details →