Apple Introduces Watch Series 12, Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 with On-Device Audio Intelligence

Apple unveiled its latest hardware lineup on Wednesday, introducing the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5, as first reported by The Next Web. The Series 12 starts at $399, while the Ultra 4 is priced at $799, and the entry-level AirPods 5 enter the market at $129. All three product lines are scheduled to go on sale on Friday, Sept. 18, maintaining starting price points across the company's accessory lineup.

A central focal point of the new smartwatch models is Audio Intelligence, a suite of software capabilities powered by Apple’s new S11 silicon chip. Among these features is Live Rewind, which allows wearers to double-press the Digital Crown to view a text transcription of the preceding 15 seconds of spoken conversation on their wrist. The Audio Intelligence suite also includes Sound Recognition for environmental alerts such as sirens or crying babies, ambient music identification via Shazam, and Siri Recap, which generates short, bulleted summaries of spoken discussions.

To address privacy and consent concerns surrounding wrist-based listening, Apple designed the audio processing to take place within a hardware-isolated compartment on the S11 processor known as the Secure Exclave. The system processes and immediately deletes raw audio without saving files or granting access to external apps, operating systems, users, or Apple itself. Additionally, features must be individually enabled, and running Live Rewind triggers an audible chime—even when the watch is on silent—alongside a visible microphone indicator and display animation.

Apple confirmed that Audio Intelligence and Siri AI capabilities on watchOS will be unavailable in the European Union at launch, with no firm timeline or detailed rationale provided for the regional delay. Utilizing these features requires a paired iPhone 16 model or later, excluding the lower-tier iPhone 16e. Live Rewind and Siri Recap are slated to debut in a beta format late this year, initially limited to English.

Health tracking received both hardware and algorithmic updates through a revised Health Sensing System. Built with larger green LEDs on the optical sensor, the watches measure heart rate continuously every five seconds and evaluate heart rate variability up to 24 times more frequently. The software splits variability into Recovery HRV for short-term stress and Overall HRV for long-term health, aggregating data into a daily readiness score from 0 to 10 with four guidance levels. Apple stated its accuracy claims are based on an internal comparative study involving more than 1,000 participants.

Beyond wrist sensors, Apple is extending its health software into direct diagnostic services. An updated Health app scheduled for release later this year will introduce a Longevity tab and a Health Age metric. Through a US-only partnership, users will be able to schedule and pay $119 for laboratory blood panels covering more than 50 biomarkers at roughly 2,000 Quest Diagnostics testing locations.

Battery performance on the Apple Watch Ultra 4 reaches up to 50 hours under standard usage and 84 hours in Low Power Mode, with extended workout modes offering up to 45 hours of continuous GPS and heart rate tracking. The Series 12 retains a 24-hour battery life while increasing workout tracking time to 10 hours. On the audio side, the $129 AirPods 5 bring active noise cancellation to an open-ear design, with Apple claiming up to 50 percent greater external noise reduction compared to the previous ANC model. A $149 version includes a wireless charging case, stem volume controls, and up to 22 hours of total playback.

“We’re thrilled that with AirPods 5, we’re able to bring Active Noise Cancellation, one of our most beloved features, to our most affordable AirPods,” said Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of hardware engineering.

The hardware release coincides with watchOS 27, which adds a single-handed tap gesture, a revised dynamic app grid, expanded tracking for perimenopause and menopause, and an offline Workout Buddy featuring Spanish language support. Case options for the Series 12 include aluminum, titanium, and new pearl white and night blue ceramic finishes, alongside specialized Hermès editions across both watch lines.