Apple unveils new Apple Watch features
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Apple unveiled Watch Series 12 ($399) and Ultra 4 ($799) with new health and AI features.
The new Audio Intelligence and frequent heart-rate tracking aim to keep Apple Watch competitive.
Background
Apple announced the new Apple Watch models during its September 2026 event in Cupertino, marking the first major product launch under new CEO John Ternus. The watches feature an upgraded Health Sensing System for more accurate heart-rate monitoring and new Audio Intelligence capabilities, including Live Rewind and sound recognition. These updates are part of Apple's broader push to integrate AI while emphasizing on-device processing and privacy.
How it unfolded
- Sep 8, 2026A code leak in watchOS 27 hinted at new optical sensing, extra storage, and a Readiness app for the upcoming Apple Watch.
- Sep 9, 2026Apple officially unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 at its 'Surprise and shine' event, highlighting health tracking and AI features. Pre-orders began the same day.
- Sep 18, 2026The new Apple Watch models will be available in stores.
Who’s saying what
- Public
- Some users are excited about the Audio Intelligence features like Live Rewind, which can help in daily conversations.
- Caution
- Privacy advocates may question the always-on microphone features, though Apple says no audio recordings are stored.
Still unverified
The code leak suggesting 128GB storage and a Readiness app was based on developer findings and not officially confirmed before the event.