Apple unveils Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 with AI audio features
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 introduce new Audio Intelligence AI features, a Health Sensing System, and extended battery life while keeping prices the same.
Audio Intelligence: AI-Powered Conversation Tools
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 now include Audio Intelligence, a suite of AI-driven features designed to enhance user awareness of their surroundings. Key tools include Live Rewind, which displays the last 15 seconds of a conversation as text, and Siri Recap, which generates summaries of interactions. Sound Recognition alerts users to critical sounds like alarms or crying babies. These features, part of Apple Intelligence, require an iPhone 16 or later and are initially available in English, with EU rollout pending. All data is processed locally on the S11 chip, ensuring no audio recordings are stored.
Health and Fitness Enhancements
The new models feature a Health Sensing System with advanced optical and electrical heart sensors, enabling continuous heart rate monitoring every five seconds. This data powers a readiness score, offering a 0-10 daily assessment of a user’s capacity to tackle activities based on factors like sleep, stress, and training load. A redesigned Health app introduces a Longevity tab with "Health Age," comparing biometric metrics to chronological age. HRV (heart rate variability) is measured 24 times more frequently, providing deeper insights into stress and recovery. These updates align with Apple’s push into preventive health, integrating lab test bookings and movement evaluations via the iPhone.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Every 5 seconds, all day, with redesigned photodiodes and green LEDs. |
| HRV Measurement | 24x more frequent than previous models, accessible via the Heart Rate app. |
| Readiness Score | Daily 0-10 score with actionable recommendations (e.g., "Recover," "Go For It"). |
| Health Age | Compares metrics like VO2 max and resting heart rate to chronological age. |
Design and Battery Life Upgrades
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 retain their signature designs but introduce refreshed color options, including Light Gold, Dark Bronze, and Radiant Gold. Ceramic finishes return for the Series 12, offering improved durability with Ceramic Shield 2. Battery life has seen significant gains: the Ultra 4 now lasts up to 50 hours in daily use, with 45 hours in Max Extended Workout mode. The Series 12 maintains 24-hour battery life, while outdoor workouts benefit from a 25% increase to 10 hours. Charging is faster, with 15 minutes of charge providing 18 hours of use. Despite these upgrades, pricing remains unchanged at $399 for the Series 12 and $799 for the Ultra 4.
Privacy and Security in Audio Features
Apple emphasizes privacy for Audio Intelligence, ensuring raw audio data is processed in a Secure Exclave on the S11 chip and deleted immediately. Users maintain control over features like Siri Recap, which can be toggled via Control Center. The company states no audio recordings are stored, and the system is designed to be "private by design." These measures address concerns around data security while enabling innovative tools for accessibility and memory support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new Audio Intelligence features on the Apple Watch?
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 include Live Rewind, which displays the last 15 seconds of a conversation as text; Siri Recap, which generates summaries of interactions; and Sound Recognition for alerts about important sounds. These features are part of Apple Intelligence and require an iPhone 16 or later.
How does the Health Sensing System improve health monitoring?
The Health Sensing System uses advanced optical and electrical heart sensors to track heart rate every five seconds, providing continuous data. This enables a readiness score, HRV measurements 24 times more frequent than before, and a Longevity tab in the Health app with "Health Age," which compares biometric metrics to chronological age.
Are the new Apple Watches more expensive than previous models?
No. The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, and the Ultra 4 starts at $799, matching the pricing of their predecessors. Ceramic models, however, are now more affordable at $899 compared to over $1,249 previously.
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