Hands-on with the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4
News Source
β’2026-09-09T14:53:48-04:00
π° What Happened
Apple has revealed the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Both watches launch on September 18, with preorders opening right away. The Series 12 starts at $399 again. The Verge got hands-on time with both new models.
The watches bring new Siri AI features. They also mark the return of ceramic cases, a material Apple had stopped using. 'Ceramic is back, baby,' one reporter wrote. Ceramic is tough and scratch-resistant, and it gives the watch a premium feel.
π The Backstory
The Apple Watch has been the world's best-selling watch for years. It started as a fitness gadget and grew into a health guardian that checks hearts, detects falls and tracks sleep. Each new version must balance new tricks against battery life.
Apple sold ceramic editions years ago as a luxury option, then quietly dropped them. Bringing the material back gives buyers a high-end choice again. The new Siri AI features follow Apple's wider push into on-device intelligence. The goal is a watch that is smarter without draining its battery.
π― Why It Matters
A watch on your wrist now tracks your health, messages and workouts all day. Smarter AI and tougher materials decide how useful it is and what it costs. At $399, the Series 12 stays the entry point for millions thinking about their first smartwatch.
Apple has revealed the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Both watches launch on September 18, with preorders opening right away. The Series 12 starts at $399 again. The Verge got hands-on time with both new models.
The watches bring new Siri AI features. They also mark the return of ceramic cases, a material Apple had stopped using. 'Ceramic is back, baby,' one reporter wrote. Ceramic is tough and scratch-resistant, and it gives the watch a premium feel.
The Apple Watch has been the world's best-selling watch for years. It started as a fitness gadget and grew into a health guardian that checks hearts, detects falls and tracks sleep. Each new version must balance new tricks against battery life.
Apple sold ceramic editions years ago as a luxury option, then quietly dropped them. Bringing the material back gives buyers a high-end choice again. The new Siri AI features follow Apple's wider push into on-device intelligence. The goal is a watch that is smarter without draining its battery.
A watch on your wrist now tracks your health, messages and workouts all day. Smarter AI and tougher materials decide how useful it is and what it costs. At $399, the Series 12 stays the entry point for millions thinking about their first smartwatch.