Apple has removed support for the Russian GLONASS satellite navigation system in the new Apple Watch Ultra 4. This marks the first time an Ultra series model has abandoned this specific network, while the previous generation, Apple Watch Ultra 3, maintained compatibility with it.
The new device continues to support GPS, the European Galileo system, the Japanese QZSS system, and the Chinese BeiDou navigation system. Unlike the Ultra 4, the Apple Watch Series 12 retains support for GLONASS, as it continues to rely on a single-frequency positioning architecture.
Technical analysis suggests that GLONASS uses a distinct signal architecture compared to other modern systems. Because GLONASS satellites have independent hardware time offsets, they require additional calibration, which complicates navigation algorithms and increases potential positioning errors.
By removing GLONASS, Apple aims to optimize positioning accuracy by focusing on modern, multi-frequency networks. This shift is expected to reduce signal processing workloads, lower power consumption, and potentially improve the overall battery life of the Ultra 4 model.
