Apple has expanded its latest product lineup beyond the iPhone with new updates to its wearable and audio ecosystem. The company has introduced the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5, bringing new health, fitness, intelligence and audio features to its devices.
All three products are designed to work closely with Apple’s broader ecosystem, including Apple Intelligence and the updated Health app. The new devices will be available from September 18, with pre-orders already underway.
Apple Watch Series 12 Focuses on Health and Fitness
The Apple Watch Series 12 is designed around fitness tracking and personalised health insights. Apple has added improved fitness capabilities, including more accurate step counting and advanced workout metrics.
The Workout app supports activities such as badminton, barre, swimming, cycling and strength training. Users can track information including workout time, heart rate and calories burned.
The watch also includes an Insights tab covering areas such as heart health, sleep, fitness, vitals, readiness and cycle tracking. Apple Intelligence is used to provide personalised guidance based on the information collected by the device.
Apple Watch Series 12 also includes health-focused features such as sleep apnea and hypertension notifications, along with advanced cycle tracking using wrist temperature sensing.
The company says the Apple Watch Series 12 can deliver up to 24 hours of battery life. In the US, pricing starts at $399, with availability beginning September 18.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Targets More Demanding Users
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 continues Apple’s focus on users who want more advanced fitness and outdoor capabilities from a smartwatch.
Like the Series 12, the Ultra 4 includes an Insights experience covering health and fitness information such as heart health, sleep, vitals, readiness and cycle tracking.
Apple is also bringing personalised guidance powered by Apple Intelligence to the Ultra 4. This allows health and fitness information to be used to provide more tailored insights to users.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799 in the US. Apple has opened pre-orders for the device, with availability scheduled to begin on September 18.
AirPods 5 Bring Active Noise Cancellation to the New Generation
Apple has also introduced AirPods 5 with a redesigned open-ear design and a stronger focus on noise control and personalised audio.
The new AirPods feature Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. Apple says the new model can provide up to 1.5 times better noise blocking compared with AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.
The earbuds also feature a redesigned acoustic architecture, next-generation Adaptive EQ and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. These features are designed to provide a more personalised listening experience across music and other content.
AirPods 5 offer up to four hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. With noise control turned off, Apple says listening time can reach up to seven hours under its testing conditions.
The Wireless Charging Case version supports USB-C, Qi charging and charging with an Apple Watch charger. The wireless charging case can also provide an additional hour of battery life on a single charge.
AirPods 5 start at $129 in the US and are available for pre-order ahead of their September 18 launch.
Apple Connects Its New Devices Through Intelligence
A major theme across the new wearable and audio products is Apple’s growing use of artificial intelligence.
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 use Apple Intelligence to provide personalised health and fitness guidance. AirPods 5 also support Apple Intelligence features and hands-free Siri, although availability can vary depending on language and region.
Apple has also redesigned its Health app with new intelligence-based features. The app includes a new Longevity section that analyses long-term information across areas including heart health, sleep, mental wellbeing, movement, metabolic health, hearing and nutrition.
This means Apple’s latest Watch and AirPods products are increasingly positioned as part of a connected health, fitness and personal technology ecosystem rather than standalone devices.
Availability and Pricing
Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5 are scheduled to become available on September 18, 2026.
In the US, the Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799, and AirPods 5 start at $129.
With the new generation, Apple is placing greater emphasis on health tracking, fitness insights, artificial intelligence and personalised audio. The three products also strengthen Apple’s wider ecosystem, giving users more ways to interact with health, fitness and everyday digital experiences through their devices.
