Apple debuts Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 with smarter health and AI features

Apple is taking its smartwatch lineup further with the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, introducing upgraded health sensors, longer battery life, and new Apple Intelligence features designed to make the devices smarter and more useful throughout the day.

Both models are powered by Apple's new S11 chip and feature an all-new Health Sensing System, which enables higher-frequency heart rate and heart rate variability measurements. The new system also powers a new Readiness feature, giving users a daily score based on activity, training load, sleep, and health data.

Apple Watch Series 12 focuses on smarter health tracking

The Apple Watch Series 12 introduces what Apple calls its most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable.

Its upgraded optical heart sensor can measure heart rate every five seconds throughout the day, providing more frequent data that can help users better understand their fitness and physiological state.

The watch also introduces Readiness, which analyzes recent activity, training load, vitals, and sleep to provide a score from 0 to 10. The feature then offers recommendations such as Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, or Go For It.

Apple is also expanding the Health app with a new Longevity section and Health Age feature, designed to provide a broader look at how certain health metrics are tracking relative to a user's age.

AI comes to the Apple Watch

The Series 12 also brings new Audio Intelligence features powered by the S11 chip and Apple Intelligence.

Among the new tools is Live Rewind, which can display a text snippet from the previous 15 seconds of a conversation, helping users remember something they may have missed.

Another feature, Siri Recap, can summarize important moments from conversations. Apple says these features are designed with privacy and security in mind and are expected to arrive in beta later this year.

With watchOS 27, the watch also gains Siri AI, bringing personal context understanding and broader world knowledge directly to the wrist.

A new look for Series 12

The Apple Watch Series 12 comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with aluminum, titanium, and a newly introduced ceramic option.

The ceramic version comes in pearl white and night blue, while aluminum models feature Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says is 60 percent tougher than the Ion-X glass used on previous aluminum models.

The Series 12 starts at $399 in the US, with pre-orders beginning September 9 and availability starting September 18.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 gets even more rugged

For athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, Apple also introduced the Apple Watch Ultra 4, positioned as its most capable sports and adventure watch.

The Ultra 4 combines the new Health Sensing System and S11 chip with more advanced fitness tracking, improved GPS accuracy, and longer battery life.

It can provide up to 50 hours of everyday battery life, while Low Power Mode extends usage to as much as 84 hours. For demanding outdoor activities, the new Max Extended Workout mode can track runs, walks, and hikes for up to 45 hours, with GPS readings every second.

Built for adventure

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 retains its rugged titanium design and is available in natural and black titanium.

Apple has also introduced new Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band colors, giving users more options for outdoor activities and everyday wear.

The Ultra 4 also brings the same new health and intelligence features as the Series 12, including Readiness, higher-frequency heart rate and HRV measurements, Audio Intelligence, and Siri AI.

More intelligent, more capable

With the Series 12, Apple is pushing its smartwatch further into health and wellness tracking, while the Ultra 4 builds on that foundation for athletes and adventurers.

The combination of S11, upgraded health sensors, Apple Intelligence, longer battery life, and watchOS 27 makes Apple's latest watches more than just accessories for the iPhone—they are increasingly designed as intelligent companions for everyday life, workouts, and long-term wellness.

The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at P28,990, while the Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at P59,990. Both are available for pre-order, with store availability beginning September 18.