Apple keeps Watch Series 12 at $400 and Ultra 4 at $800 despite iPhone price hikes
Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 at its Sept. 9 event, both running WatchOS 27 with features that work independently of a paired iPhone. Unlike this year's iPhones, which saw price increases, both watches kept their previous starting prices—$400 for the Series 12 and $800 for the Ultra 4—with preorders open now and shipping Sept. 18.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Holding smartwatch prices steady while raising iPhone prices signals Apple's effort to keep the Watch line accessible as a growth category, even as it pushes premium pricing elsewhere. The Series 12's expanded material options, including a pricier ceramic case, show Apple diversifying revenue tiers within the same base price point rather than through blanket increases.
- Series 12 starts at $400 (aluminum) and Ultra 4 at $800, unchanged from prior pricing despite iPhone price hikes.
- Both watches run WatchOS 27 and offer features that function even without a paired iPhone nearby.
- Series 12 offers tiered pricing up to $899 for a new ceramic case option, while Ultra 4 remains titanium-only.
Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable — Whichever new Apple Watch you preorder, a spare official fast charger means one stays home and one lives in your bag or at the office. It's the simplest way to keep a Series or Ultra topped up for overnight sleep tracking and long runs.
See Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — David Lumb, 2026-09-11
Published there as: “Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 4: Clash of the Newest Apple Watches”
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