Key Takeaways
- Apple has introduced the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 with improved health features and battery life.
- The new models include a new Health Sensing System and S11 chip for more accurate heart rate monitoring.
- The Ultra 4 offers up to 50 hours of normal use and 84 hours in Low Power Mode, while the Series 12 improves battery performance during outdoor workouts.
Apple has launched the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, featuring enhanced health and battery features. The new models come with a new Health Sensing System and S11 chip, which Apple claims provide the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable device.
The Ultra 4, in particular, boasts a significant battery-life increase, with up to 50 hours of normal use and 84 hours in Low Power Mode. This represents an eight-hour increase in normal use and 12 hours more than the previous generation.
The Series 12 also sees improvements in battery performance during outdoor workouts, with a 25% increase in rated battery life to up to 10 hours. This is a notable improvement over the previous generation, which was rated for up to 8 hours.
Both models use upgraded optical and electrical heart-rate sensors as part of the new Health Sensing System. Apple conducted extensive testing involving over 1,000 participants, finding the new system to be the most accurate heart-rate sensing system in a wearable.
New health features include a Readiness score, which indicates how prepared a user is for different levels of training, and a Health Age through the redesigned Health app and its new Longevity tab. The feature combines metrics such as VO₂ max, resting heart rate, heart-rate variability, and sleep to estimate whether a person’s Health Age is younger or older than their biological age.
The new watches also introduce Audio Intelligence, a feature that can alert people with hearing difficulties to important sounds around them. The system can also help users recall parts of conversations they may have forgotten. The new Siri app can automatically create a title and key points for a recap, and Shazam can identify music playing nearby and display the song.
Design-wise, the Apple Watch Series 12 is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with three case materials and eight finishes. The aluminum models come in Dark Bronze, Black, Light Gold, and Space Grey, with Ceramic Shield 2 display glass. The titanium models are available in Radiant Gold and Natural Titanium, with 3D-printed cases.
Apple has not disclosed the battery capacity in milliamp hours for the Ultra 4, but the new model is rated for up to 50 hours of normal use and 84 hours in Low Power Mode. The Series 12 is rated for up to 24 hours of normal use and 38 hours in Low Power Mode, with a 25% improvement in battery life during outdoor workouts.
