Here's the upgrade order, from UA website:
Effective December 12, 2018, upgrade waitlists are processed in the following priority order:
- Premier status of the traveler
- Fare classFootnote1
- Chase United MileagePlus Club cardholders and Presidential Plus cardholders
- United Corporate Preferred participant
- Chase United MileagePlus cardholders with $25,000 annual spendFootnote2
- Time of request
Footnote 1: Fare class structure in priority order is O, A, R (for upgrades from United® Premium Plus seats to the United Polaris business class cabin) and Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K, G (for upgrades from United Economy® to the next higher class of service on all aircraft). Complimentary Premier Upgrades on award tickets will be prioritized after the lowest paid fare class.
Upgrade is still being processed based on the old way - status trumps fare class. So a GS in Y would be ahead of line than a 1K in R, not withstanding the special rule-breaking benefit bestowed upon GS members.
Also, upgrade is processed based on underlying fare, not where you are sitting. So a 1K member who pre-upgraded to Premium Plus with a W fare would be behind a 1K with H fare sitting in E+.