Apple launches Apple Watch Series 12
ThinkingNews Desk · how this was written
Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, both powered by the new S11 chip and a re-engineered Health Sensing System that records heart-rate every five seconds, provides higher-frequency HRV data and generates a 0-10 Readiness score. The devices run watchOS 27, add an Audio Intelligence suite—including Live Rewind and Siri Recap—and start at $399 for the aluminum model, offering up to 24 hours of everyday battery life.
Written from all 7 reports below, not from any single one.
How it was reported
- The Verge·Apple launches Apple Watch Series 12
Apple released the Apple Watch Series 12 on September 9, 2024, a year after the Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3. The Series 12 is the first product under new CEO John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook on September 1. The Series 11 launched at $399 with 42 mm and 46 mm sizes, added 5G, hypertension monitoring, a Sleep Score, stronger Ion-X glass, improved battery life, and a 9.7 mm thickness.
- Wired·Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4: Price, Specs, Release Date
Apple introduced the Series 12 and Ultra 4 watches, both using the S11 chip to improve CPU, GPU, and Siri performance and running watchOS 27 with a redesigned Health app, Longevity tab, and AI-driven Siri Recap transcription. The Series 12 features a ceramic case in pearl white and night blue, while the Ultra 4 offers a 50-hour battery and fast charging that provides 12 hours after a 15-minute charge. New health capabilities include a 32-electrode sensor, heart-rate sampling every five seconds, Functional Strength Training metrics, and expanded Cycle Tracking for perimenopause and menopause.
- Hacker News·Apple Watch Series 12
Apple Watch Series 12 features a Health Sensing System powered by the S11 chip, providing continuous heart-rate readings every five seconds and high-frequency HRV data that generate a readiness score and a Longevity tab in the Health app. It adds Audio Intelligence for conversation recall and sound alerts, runs watchOS 27 with Siri AI, and is offered in aluminum, titanium, and ceramic cases with Ceramic Shield 2 glass, available for pre-order now and releasing on September 18.
- TechMeme·Apple unveils the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, with a new S11 chip, upgraded health tracking, an Audio Intelligence feature, a readiness feature, and more (Zac Hall/9to5Mac)
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 launch with the new S11 processor, delivering faster performance and enhanced battery life. Both models add upgraded health sensors—including blood-glucose monitoring—and introduce Audio Intelligence for adaptive sound control and a Readiness feature that suggests optimal activity times.
- TechCrunch·Apple unveils Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4 with an AI upgrade that can recap your day
Apple unveiled the Watch Series 12 ($399) and Watch Ultra 4 ($499), adding “Audio Intelligence” software such as Live Rewind, which shows the previous 15 seconds of a conversation as text, and Siri Recap, which creates titles and key points from ambient-listened talks. New health sensors feature larger ECG electrodes, ring-arranged photodiodes, power-efficient green LEDs, and background heart-rate readings every five seconds, plus readiness scores and a Health Age metric.
- Ars Technica·Apple starts preorders for Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 with new Health Sensing System
Apple launched the Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, both powered by the new S11 chip and a “Health Sensing System” that delivers the most accurate wearable heart-rate tracking. The system uses a ring of redesigned photodiodes, larger electrodes, and bigger, more efficient green LEDs to record heart rate every five seconds and provide higher-frequency HRV data, viewable via a dedicated watch-face complication.
- The Verge·Hands on with the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4
Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 at its September 18 launch, with preorders beginning today. The Series 12 starts at $399 for aluminum, $699 for titanium, and $899 for ceramic; it delivers up to 24 hours of everyday battery life and 10 hours during outdoor workouts, plus faster charging. The Ultra 4 shares the same release date and pricing tiers.
- Engadget·Apple Watch Series 12 hands-on: New sensing system, health features and audio intelligence
The Apple Watch Series 12 features a re-engineered sensing system with a ring of 12 LEDs and extra photodiodes, improving skin contact and enabling higher-frequency heart-rate, VO2 max, and HRV measurements that generate a 0-10 Readiness score based on activity, sleep, and vitals. It adds an Audio Intelligence suite—including Siri Recap and Live Rewind—and a redesigned Health app that displays AI-generated summaries at the top, requiring a compatible iPhone for full functionality.