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Apple opens preorders for Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 with new health sensor system

Apple unveiled the Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, both built around a new S11 chip and a redesigned Health Sensing System aimed at improving heart rate and heart rate variability tracking. The system uses ring-arranged photodiodes, larger electrodes, and bigger, more efficient green LEDs to measure heart rate every five seconds, with HRV readings taken up to 24 times more often than before. Preorders for both models are now open.

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro adds variable aperture camera and smaller Dynamic Island

Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro alongside other hardware, headlined by a camera system with variable aperture settings of f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.0, adjustable directly in the camera app. The device also features a smaller Dynamic Island capable of displaying three simultaneous live activities, plus updated Photographic Styles with new texture and grain options.

Apple Watch Series 12 keeps $399 price despite new S11 chip and health sensors

Apple introduced the Watch Series 12 alongside the Ultra 4, iPhone 18 lineup and a foldable iPhone Duo, keeping the smartwatch's exterior design unchanged while overhauling its internals. The update centers on a new S11 processor and redesigned health sensors that improve heart rate accuracy, add deeper recovery tracking, and enable an AI-powered Audio Intelligence feature for transcribing conversations. Despite the upgrades, pricing stays flat at $399 for the Series 12 and $799 for the Ultra 4, even as iPhone 18 Pro prices rose.

Apple Watch Series 12 keeps $399 price, adds S11 chip and Siri AI

Apple introduced the Watch Series 12 at its September event, retaining last year's design but overhauling internals with a new S11 chip and upgraded health sensors. The device gains features like more accurate heart rate tracking, deeper recovery data, and an AI-powered Audio Intelligence tool that can record, transcribe and save conversations. Despite these upgrades and new colors, Apple held the starting price at $399, while the Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799.

Apple's New Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Add On-Device Audio Intelligence Suite

Apple unveiled its Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro line and foldable iPhone Duo at its 'Surprise and Shine' event, highlighting a new Audio Intelligence system for the watches. The feature set includes ambient sound alerts for things like sirens and doorbells, a Live Rewind tool that transcribes the previous 15 seconds of speech via a crown double-tap, and a Siri Recap function that summarizes key conversations for later reference.

Apple adds 'Health Age' and readiness score to redesigned Health app

Apple unveiled a revamped Health app alongside its new Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, using Apple Intelligence to analyze user data more deeply. New features include an Insights tab, a readiness score, a computed 'Health Age' based on metrics like VO2 max and sleep, and a longevity tab that can incorporate lab results. Apple also partnered with Quest Diagnostics to offer a 50-biomarker blood panel for $119.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 add ambient AI conversation recaps

Apple introduced the Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4 at its Cupertino event, keeping hardware largely unchanged but adding new 'Audio Intelligence' software features. These include Live Rewind, which replays the last 15 seconds of conversation as text, and Siri Recap, which uses ambient listening to summarize meetings or conversations into notes in a new Siri app. A Sound Recognition tool for detecting sirens, alarms and crying babies also debuts, alongside an upgraded health-sensing system with more frequent heart-rate tracking.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 adds daily readiness score and AI health insights

Apple unveiled the Watch Ultra 4, its top-tier smartwatch, featuring an S11 chip, upgraded heart-rate sensors, and battery life reaching 84 hours in low-power mode or 50 hours in normal use. The device introduces a daily readiness score, a VO2 Max test, and an AI-powered insights tab in the redesigned Health app, plus audio intelligence features for environmental sound alerts and conversation tracking.

Apple Watch Series 12 adds 'Audio Intelligence' to transcribe and summarize conversations

Apple unveiled the Watch Series 12 with a new 'Audio Intelligence' feature that listens to conversations, letting users rewind the last 15 seconds via Digital Crown tap or ask Siri for a summary afterward. The watch also gets a redesigned sensor platform with larger ECG electrodes and PPG photodiodes, plus a returning ceramic case option after several years' absence.

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