Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 during its Surprise and Shine event in Cupertino on September 9, 2026. While the design of these new smartwatches remains similar to previous models, the company focused heavily on software enhancements, particularly incorporating advanced AI features. The standout addition is the “Audio Intelligence” system, which enables users to rewind and review up to 15 seconds of recent conversations through a simple double press of the Digital Crown, displaying the dialogue as text.

Another notable innovation is the “Siri Recap” feature that uses ambient listening to summarize key points from conversations, such as meetings or important discussions, generating concise titles and notes accessible in the new Siri app. Additionally, the watches gain a “Sound Recognition” capability designed to assist those with hearing challenges by detecting critical sounds like alarms or a crying baby. Importantly, Apple clarifies that these AI-powered audio features do not save or record actual audio clips, prioritizing user privacy.

On the health technology front, both watches introduce a refined health-sensing system with enhanced electrode surfaces for improved ECG readings and redesigned photodiodes for better optical sensing. The devices employ more efficient green LEDs to capture continuous heart-rate data more accurately even during movement. Users will benefit from heart rate updates every five seconds throughout the day, a significant improvement over previous models, allowing for more precise health monitoring.

Furthering its health-focused capabilities, Apple has added “readiness scores” that analyze recent activity, vitals, and sleep to help users understand their physical preparedness each morning. The watches also feature a “Health Age” metric that compares key health indicators such as VO2 max and sleep quality against chronological age. Pricing starts at $399 for the Series 12 and $499 for the Ultra 4, marking the latest evolution of Apple’s smartwatch lineup with a strong emphasis on AI-driven personal assistance and health tracking.