In the comparison, the point that most often sways buyers is price. The Ultra 4 model is presented as “essentially double” that of the Series 12 at the base level, with pricing that rises depending on sizes and versions.
On the Series 12, the cellular option isn’t standard: it’s available for certain variants, with a clear additional cost depending on sizes and materials. The Ultra 4, on the other hand, is listed with 5G included and cellular as a single option.
In terms of design, the Ultra 4 is billed with a 49 mm case and more “sport/expedition” elements at the hardware level. The Series 12, meanwhile, comes in 42 mm or 46 mm versions, with an aluminium base, while the Ultra 4 highlights choices such as a dedicated Action button.
The text also covers measurable differences in battery life. The Ultra 4 is claimed to be around “~2.5 days” in real-world use, versus “~1-1.5 days” for the Series 12, with official figures for the standard battery (50 hours vs 24 hours) and for Low Power mode.
Finally, the differences also include features related to the outdoor environment. The Ultra 4 touts a two-way satellite messaging setup (SOS, SMS via satellite, FindMy update) and coverage limitations, while iMessage support is specified as not covering Europe.
