Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4 and AirPods 5: what’s new and which iPhones work with them

At the same September 9, 2026 event where it showed the iPhone 18 Pro and the foldable iPhone Duo, Apple introduced Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5. All three reached stores in the US and other countries on September 18.

In this article

1. Apple Watch Series 12
2. Apple Watch Ultra 4
3. AirPods 5
4. Compatibility: watchOS 27
5. Should you upgrade?
6. Sources

Apple Watch Series 12

• New Health Sensing System with new optical and electrical heart sensors: heart rate is measured every 5 seconds and heart rate variability (HRV) up to 24 times more often, according to Apple.
• Readiness score: a daily 0–10 score that combines activity, vitals and sleep and suggests whether to recover, pace yourself or go for it.
• Battery: up to 24 hours of everyday use; 15 minutes of charging adds up to 12 more hours.
• Tougher glass and aluminum, titanium and, for the first time, ceramic options.
• Price: from $399.

Apple Watch Ultra 4

• The same new sensors and readiness score as Series 12.
• Battery: up to 50 hours of everyday use, up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode and up to 45 hours of workout tracking in extended mode.
• More accurate GPS for outdoor sports.
• Price: from $799.

AirPods 5

• Active Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design (no silicone tips) that removes up to 50% more noise than AirPods 4 with ANC, according to Apple.
• Better sound, improved dust, sweat and water resistance, and Live Translation.
• Price: $129, or $149 with the wireless charging case.

Compatibility: watchOS 27

watchOS 27 came out on September 14 and runs on Apple Watch Series 9 or later, SE 3 and Ultra 2 or later. The watch must be paired with an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 27. Some AI-powered audio features require iPhone 16 or later.

Should you upgrade?

• Series 9 or later: the news is the heart sensor and the readiness score. If you don’t use the watch for fitness and health, you can wait.
• Series 8 or older: these models don’t get watchOS 27, so upgrading makes more sense.
• AirPods: the biggest jump is for owners of 2nd- or 3rd-generation AirPods without noise cancellation.

Sources

• Apple Newsroom — Apple Watch Series 12
• Apple Newsroom — Apple Watch Ultra 4
• Apple Newsroom — AirPods 5
• Apple Newsroom — in stores on September 18

Cover image: Apple press image.