Apple Launches $399 Watch Series 12 and $799 Ultra 4 With New Health Sensing, Siri AI
Updated
Updated · Stuff · Sep 30
Apple Launches $399 Watch Series 12 and $799 Ultra 4 With New Health Sensing, Siri AI
3 articles · Updated · Stuff · Sep 30
Summary
Apple’s new watches went on sale on Sept. 18 with unchanged starting prices—$399 for the 42mm Series 12 and $799 for the 49mm Ultra 4—despite adding a new Health Sensing System and Apple Intelligence features.
Both models share the S11 chip, 64GB storage, high-frequency heart-rate tracking, Recovery HRV and a new Readiness app, alongside ECG, blood-oxygen, sleep and women’s health tools, narrowing the feature gap more than in prior generations.
Apple also brought the same rebuilt Siri and Audio Intelligence to both watches, though Live Rewind and Siri Recap arrive later this year, require an iPhone 16 or newer, launch in English only and initially exclude the EU.
The Ultra 4 justifies its premium mainly through hardware: 50-hour battery life versus 24 hours on the Series 12, dual-frequency GPS, satellite connectivity, a 3,000-nit display, 100-meter water resistance and scuba support to 40 meters.
That leaves the Series 12 as the lower-cost option for buyers focused on health tracking, while the heavier Ultra 4 is aimed at users who need longer battery life and off-grid or outdoor durability.