Apple Watch Ultra 4 drops GLONASS — Series 12 still lists it
Apple’s Ultra 4 specs confirm precision dual-frequency GPS as GPS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou — with GLONASS removed versus Ultra 3. Series 12 still lists GLONASS.
Apple’s Apple Watch Ultra 4 tech specs list precision dual-frequency GPS as GPS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou — with no GLONASS. The prior Ultra 3 listed GLONASS in that same constellation set. MacRumors flagged the omission after Surprise and Shine; Apple’s own Ultra 4 specs page matches.
Still lists GLONASS (single-frequency L1 stack per Apple compare tables)
Apple has not published a separate explanation for the drop. MacRumors notes that GPS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS share CDMA-style signaling and multi-frequency paths that matter more on dual-frequency receivers, while consumer GLONASS access is typically L1-only and uses a different signal architecture that can need per-satellite timing corrections.
Why it may matter (and why it may not)
For most Ultra buyers in regions dense with GPS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS, losing GLONASS is unlikely to erase Apple’s “most accurate on-device GPS in a sports watch” claim from the Ultra 4 Newsroom post. The watch still advertises dual-frequency tracking, Extended / Max Extended workout modes with second-by-second GPS, and the new Health Sensing stack shipping September 18.
Where the note is useful: travelers or athletes who specifically relied on GLONASS fill-in under Ultra 3, or anyone comparing Ultra 4 against Series 12 — the standard Watch still lists GLONASS while the trail-oriented Ultra does not. Treat that as a specs confirmation, not a field accuracy verdict; Apple did not publish a side-by-side GNSS study for this change.
Pre-orders for Ultra 4 and Series 12 are already open (including Amazon listings); availability is Friday, September 18.
