Apple Watch Ultra

What to Expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is rumored to feature a significant design overhaul and upgraded sensing capabilities, according to a report from DigiTimes. While specific details remain thin, the shift suggests Apple is moving beyond the iterative updates seen in 2024, when the company released only a new black titanium color option for the Ultra 2 without altering the internal hardware.

This cycle marks a departure from the company’s early strategy for the Ultra line. Since its 2022 debut, the Ultra has seen a release in 2023, a stagnant year in 2024, and a hardware refresh with the Ultra 3 in 2025. By maintaining an annual rhythm, Apple aims to keep pace with the premium smartwatch market.

How Biometric Security Could Change

Apple is experimenting with Touch ID integration for its watch lineup, based on leaked code discovered in 2025. Implementation remains a technical hurdle; engineers are reportedly considering placing the sensor under the display or within the side button.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 — Massive Design Upgrade u0026 New Health Features

If successful, this would provide an alternative to the current wrist-detection security used for Apple Pay. While the feature would reduce the need for numerical passcodes, it faces a high bar for adoption, as current wrist-based authentication already offers a low-friction experience for most users.

Pro Tip: Watch for power efficiency updates. While the Ultra 4 focuses on sensors, 2027 models are expected to adopt high-mobility oxide (HMO) display technology from LG, which aims to lower power draw compared to current LTPO panels.

Why Noninvasive Glucose Monitoring Remains a Challenge

Despite years of development, noninvasive blood glucose monitoring is not expected in the upcoming 2026 models. According to reporting from MacRumors, the technology is still several years away as engineers work to miniaturize the necessary hardware. The project represents one of Apple’s most significant health-tech long-term investments, seeking to replace traditional finger-prick tests with optical sensor arrays.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Apple Watch Ultra 4 be released?
It is expected to launch in September 2026, alongside the Apple Watch Series 12 and new iPhone models, according to Mark Gurman.

Will the Ultra 4 feature a new design?
Yes, reports from DigiTimes indicate the device may receive a full redesign, though specific aesthetic or structural changes have not been confirmed.

Is blood glucose monitoring coming to the Apple Watch soon?
No. While Apple is actively developing the technology, it is not expected to be ready for the 2026 product cycle due to the challenges of component miniaturization.

What is the benefit of the rumored HMO display technology?
Future models using high-mobility oxide (HMO) thin-film transistors will likely offer lower power consumption compared to current LTPO displays, potentially extending battery life.

Do you have questions about the upcoming Apple Watch features or want to share your thoughts on the expected design changes? Join the conversation in the comments section below.

The Next Evolution of Apple Watch Displays: Beyond LTPO

For years, Apple has set the gold standard for wearable displays. If you own a modern Apple Watch, you are likely benefiting from LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) backplane technology. It’s the secret sauce that enables your “Always-On” display to sip power rather than drain your battery in hours. But as users demand longer battery life and brighter screens, Apple is already looking at what comes next.

Recent reports suggest Apple is testing a new display technology known as High-Mobility Oxide (HMO). This isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s a potential leap forward that could redefine how we interact with our wrists.

What is HMO and Why Does It Matter?

At its core, a display backplane is the “brain” behind the pixels. It controls how electricity flows to each individual pixel on your screen. The “mobility” in High-Mobility Oxide refers to how quickly electrons move through the transistor material.

Current oxide TFTs typically hover below 10 cm²/Vs (square centimeters per volt-second). The industry is pushing for a jump to 30–50 cm²/Vs. By increasing this electron mobility, Apple can drive OLED panels more efficiently. The result? A screen that is potentially brighter, more responsive, and—most importantly—kinder to your battery.

Did you know? Apple almost always debuts new display tech on the Apple Watch before bringing it to the iPhone. The watch acts as a “testing ground” due to its smaller surface area and lower production volume, allowing for safer innovation.

The Competition: LG vs. Samsung

The race to supply the next generation of Apple displays is heating up between two industry giants:

LG Display: Focused on HMO technology using a “sputtering” process. This method is highly attractive because it integrates more easily into existing manufacturing lines, potentially keeping costs down.
Samsung Display: Exploring Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). While slower, this method allows for extreme precision, laying down films one atomic layer at a time. It’s a “quality over speed” approach that could yield a more stable, high-performance transistor.

Why Your Battery Life Stagnates

We often wonder why battery life on wearables doesn’t double overnight. The reason is a constant tug-of-war between brightness, resolution, and power efficiency. Every time you increase the pixel density or the nits on a display, you increase the power load.

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Technologies like HMO allow engineers to “cheat” physics by making the electrical pathways more efficient. If Apple successfully implements this, we might see the same (or better) battery life even if they add power-hungry sensors or higher-resolution screens in future models.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking to maximize your current Apple Watch battery, disable “Always-On” during sleep or enable “Low Power Mode” during long travel days. While new tech is coming, managing your current settings remains the best way to get through the day.

What This Means for Future Apple Watches

While rumors suggest a major hardware redesign might not arrive for a few more years, the internal components are constantly evolving. Adopting HMO would be a “silent upgrade”—the kind that makes the device feel snappier and last longer without changing the look of the chassis.

Whether it’s the next Apple Watch or a future version of the iPhone, the shift toward higher mobility backplanes is inevitable. It is the key to unlocking the next generation of wearable features, from advanced health monitoring to more immersive augmented reality interfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an OLED backplane?: The backplane is the layer of transistors behind the OLED screen that controls individual pixel operation, including brightness and refresh rates.
Will this update make my current Apple Watch obsolete?: Not at all. Current LTPO technology is still industry-leading. This shift represents a gradual improvement for future models rather than an immediate change for existing users.
When will we see this technology in stores?: While early testing is underway, mass production validation is a complex process. Analysts expect to see initial adoption in the coming years, provided yield rates meet Apple’s strict standards.

What feature would you sacrifice for a longer-lasting battery? Are you team “brighter screen” or team “multi-day charge”? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our weekly tech newsletter for the latest hardware rumors.