Apple Watch Ultra 4 Adds Dual-Band GPS and 84-Hour Battery for $1,099

Q: With a hidden GPS quirk that overestimates distance, can serious marathoners actually trust the Ultra 4 for strict race pacing?

Not fully. Serious marathoners can trust the Ultra 4 for training, general race guidance, and safety, but not as a perfectly strict pacing tool on its own. The key issue is the GPS quirk reported in several tests: once locked, the watch can read distance about 1% to 1.5% long. Over a marathon, that can mean roughly 0.26 to 0.39 extra miles on the watch. If a runner follows the watch’s live pace and distance too literally, they could ease off too soon and miss a time goal. In one marathon test, the Ultra 4 logged 43.07 km against the official 42.19 km, while in a twisty half marathon it performed much better, showing that conditions matter. That does not make the watch unreliable overall. Its dual-band GPS appears faster to acquire and generally more precise in difficult environments than earlier Apple Watches, and its pacer, workout tools, readiness score, satellite support, fall detection, and Check In features make it a strong all-round device for runners. For most users, that package will be more than good enough. But for serious marathon pacing, certified course markers remain the safer guide on race day. Many experienced runners use their watch as a secondary reference, not the primary one, especially in big-city races with turns, crowds, and tall buildings. If using the Ultra 4 for a goal race, it is wise to build in a small buffer, pace slightly ahead of the target, and rely on official mile or kilometer markers to confirm splits.

3 articles · Updated · Canadian Running Magazine · Nov 6

$1,099 Apple Watch Ultra 4 stands out as a stronger sports watch, with the review highlighting dual-band GPS accuracy, new training tools and tougher outdoor-focused hardware.
Dual-band GPS and a satellite setting delivered near top-tier tracking in testing, while the 49mm watch logs up to 45 hours in accurate GPS mode or 84 hours in low-power mode.
Training upgrades drive much of the appeal: a new health sensor powers pacer, readiness and workout customization, helping runners hold target pace and gauge recovery from HRV and sleep data.
Safety and durability round out the package, with emergency calling after a fall or crash, Check In notifications, and a sapphire glass-titanium case built for trail use.
The review calls the Ultra 4 a meaningful step up for Apple in sports and health wearables, with battery life the main remaining weakness despite fast charging.