Reviewers have found that Apple's latest wearables deliver better health tracking and battery life, while Apple's highly promoted, and highly controversial, Audio Intelligence features largely remain untested.
Reviews of Apple's newest wearables have begun rolling in ahead of Friday, September 18's release date. Here's what reviewers across the web thought of September's two new Apple Watch models.
Apple Watch Series 12
This year, the Apple Watch Series 12 adds the S11 chip, redesigned health sensors, and more frequent heart-rate and HRV measurements. Ceramic models also return in pearl white and night blue alongside updated aluminum and titanium finishes.
Siri Recap produces short summaries of conversationsNew features include Readiness, Sound Recognition, Live Rewind, and Siri Recap, with several relying on Audio Intelligence. The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399 and became available for preorder on September 9; it will ship to customers and arrive in-store on September 18.
CNET - Better health tracking without a bigger bill
Vanessa Hand Orellana hailed the Apple Watch Series 12's improved health sensors, longer battery life, and faster S11 processor. She also welcomed its unchanged $399 starting price and subscription-free health features.
Audio Intelligence raised privacy concerns, particularly when conversations involve people unaware the Apple Watch Series 12 may be listening. Orellana also encountered inaccurate Sound Recognition alerts and received incorrect information while testing Siri AI.
The Apple Watch Series 12 lasted about 30 hours during testing, beating her Apple Watch Series 11. Orellana found its heart-rate tracking closely matched a Polar H10 chest strap during a three-mile run.
Engadget - Small changes make hands-free use more practical
Expanded gesture controls stood out during Cherlynn Low's week with the Apple Watch Series 12. Low found single-tap recognition reliable and said it made hands-free navigation considerably more useful.
Readiness failed to produce a score despite Low wearing the Apple Watch Series 12 for seven nights. She also found the redesigned app grid occasionally added steps when it failed to predict the desired app.
The new health sensors delivered heart-rate readings within two beats per minute of Low's Fitbit Air. A 12-minute charge also increased the Apple Watch Series 12's battery from 51% to 79%.
The Verge - Faster health tracking collides with unfinished AI
Victoria Song found the Apple Watch Series 12's redesigned sensors delivered heart-rate readings close to a Polar H10 chest strap. Song also praised faster charging and improved one-handed gesture controls.
Several major health and Audio Intelligence features were unavailable during Song's review period. She also noted privacy concerns may persist despite Apple's safeguards for ambient listening features.
Readiness differs from many competitors by updating throughout the day as activity and recovery change. Song received a seven after completing the required seven nights of sleep tracking.
Apple Watch Ultra 4
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 pairs the new S11 chip with improved health sensors and up to 50 hours of battery life. The familiar titanium design also gains more frequent heart-rate tracking and updated step tracking.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4
New software features include Readiness, expanded health metrics, and Audio Intelligence features such as Live Rewind and Siri Recap. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 also works with the redesigned Health app coming with iOS 27.
Pricing starts at $799, and it's available in black and natural titanium. Preorders opened on September 9, with orders arriving and in-store sales going live on September 18.
TechRadar - More endurance behind a familiar design
Jacob Krol praised the fourth-generation Apple Watch Ultra's larger battery, faster charging, and expanded health tracking. He also highlighted more frequent heart-rate and HRV measurements as useful additions for workouts.
He acknowledged that the Apple Watch Ultra 4 is visually similar to its predecessor, with unchanged colors and no major redesign. Krol also withheld judgment on Readiness and upcoming AI features because both require additional testing.
Apple promises up to 50 hours of normal use, aided by a five-percent larger battery. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 also keeps its $799 starting price despite the internal changes.
Mashable - Longer battery is the biggest boon
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 lasted roughly three days between charges during Stan Schroeder's testing. Schroeder also praised its more frequent heart-rate monitoring and detailed health data.
He criticized the lack of new watch faces and found the frequently flashing heart-rate sensors annoying. He also raised privacy concerns about upcoming Audio Intelligence features listening to nearby conversations.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 recorded slightly fewer steps than Schroeder's Apple Watch Series 11. Its Music Recognition feature also identified every song Schroeder tested, including obscure YouTube remixes.
Tom's Guide - Heart-rate tracking gets an endurance test
The redesigned heart-rate sensor was the standout change for Jane McGuire after testing it during a 22-mile run. McGuire found its readings closely matched a chest strap, while improved battery life got two days on a full charge.
As others have noted, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 retains the same screen, dimensions, and overall design as its predecessor. McGuire also wanted a smaller size option for petite wrists and a built-in LED flashlight.
McGuire found Readiness useful for understanding recovery, although travel disrupted her initial seven-night baseline. She also questioned Siri Recap's privacy implications and whether she would use its background recording.
