Source: Mashable
Introduction
Following the conclusion of its "Surprise and Shine" keynote event, Apple has officially opened preorders for its latest wearable lineup. Consumers looking to secure the new Apple Watch Series 12 or the robust Apple Watch Ultra 4 can now place orders through major retail channels ahead of the scheduled market release.
While the company introduced significant internal upgrades to its smartwatch ecosystem, it has maintained consistent pricing across the board. This guide outlines how to preorder the new Apple Watches, including the Series 12 and Ultra 4, ensuring you have the necessary details regarding availability, hardware specifications, and configuration options.
What Happened
During the "Surprise and Shine" event held this past Wednesday, Apple unveiled its newest iteration of smartwatches. The announcement focused heavily on hardware efficiency and advanced health-tracking capabilities. The new devices serve as the direct successors to previous models, though notably, Apple did not provide updates to the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE line during this particular presentation.
The new products are currently available for reservation via the official Apple Store, as well as third-party retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Following the current preorder phase, the devices are slated for a joint commercial launch on Friday, September 18.
Background
The latest generation of Apple's wearables introduces the S11 chip, which serves as the processing foundation for both the Series 12 and the Ultra 4. This silicon upgrade powers a suite of new health-sensing tools, including a revised monitoring system that provides more granular and continuous heart rate data. Additionally, the watches introduce a "Readiness" score, a feature designed to help users gauge their physical capacity for exercise based on their historical activity data.
Beyond health metrics, the S11 chip facilitates new "Audio Intelligence" capabilities. These features utilize the onboard microphones to provide Sound Recognition alerts and, later this year, Live Rewind transcriptions for conversations. Apple has emphasized that these features are designed with user privacy in mind, confirming that the hardware does not record or store audio content.
Key Details
The following table summarizes the starting price points and configuration details for the new wearable devices currently available for preorder.
| Model | Starting Price | Case Material / Options | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 12 | $399 | Aluminum, Titanium, Ceramic | GPS or GPS + Cellular |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | $799 | Black or Natural Titanium | GPS + Cellular (Standard) |
| Hermès Series 12 | $1,399 | Special Edition | Cellular |
| Hermès Ultra 4 | $1,499 | Special Edition | Cellular |
The Series 12 is offered in 42mm and 46mm sizes. The Ultra 4 maintains a singular 49mm size profile and comes standard with cellular connectivity, whereas cellular capabilities remain an optional $100 upgrade for certain Series 12 models.
Impact
The integration of the new Health Sensing System represents a shift toward more predictive wellness tracking. By utilizing the Readiness score, Apple aims to assist users in preventing overexertion, effectively tailoring daily activity goals to the user's current recovery state. This data will sync directly with the redesigned Health app for iPhone, which is scheduled for release later this year.
Battery performance remains a critical differentiator between the two models. The Series 12 is rated for 24 hours of standard use, while the rugged Ultra 4 provides up to 50 hours of battery life under typical conditions. Users can extend these figures significantly by utilizing the low power mode, which boosts the Ultra 4 to 84 hours of runtime.
What Happens Next
The official retail release for both devices is set for Friday, September 18. Following this date, the devices will be available for general purchase through the aforementioned retail partners. Furthermore, Apple has confirmed that the updated Health app, which integrates with these new devices, will launch later this year.
Those seeking additional information on the broader range of announcements from the "Surprise and Shine" event—including details on the new iPhone models—can consult the official Apple event live blog, which provides ongoing updates from the Apple Park campus.
