Apple is leaning into AI on the wrist. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 introduce Audio Intelligence, a bundle that includes Siri Recap and Live Recap. Siri Recap uses ambient listening to pull out high-level notes from a wearer's conversations during the day, while Live Recap shows a transcription of what was just said in the last 15 seconds of a live conversation. The watches can also listen for notable sounds like a crying baby, doorbells, and sirens.
Every audio feature is opt in. Apple said it neither creates nor keeps recordings; Apple and third‑party apps can't access the underlying audio, and it's erased right after processing. Public testing of these audio features in English is slated for later this year.
On Sept. 14, a beta of watchOS 27 will introduce an upgraded Siri that can respond to queries by drawing on a user's texts, mail, calendars, and photos. Apple cast the updates as a bid to keep pace with a new crop of AI wearables, pointing to devices like Amazon.com Inc.'s Bee wristband and Plaud Inc.'s note-taking gadgets that allow people to capture conversations, read transcripts, and receive AI-generated summaries.
Priced at $399, the Apple Watch Series 12 comes in aluminum finishes of space gray, black, gold, and dark bronze, and switches to Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass that Apple says is 60% tougher. Natural and gold titanium options are coming, and Apple is bringing back a ceramic case in white and dark blue.
At $799, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 delivers up to 50 hours on a charge, adds quicker charging, and introduces new band options. Both models add Apple's Health Sensing System, which the company said delivered the "most accurate heart rate tracking in a wearable" when tested against other wearables. Like Whoop and Fitbit, they will show a daily readiness score to indicate recovery and rest.
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Under the hood, background heart rate is captured in 5‑second intervals all day, and heart rate variability is checked as frequently as every five minutes. You can place preorders for both watch models on Wednesday, with retail availability starting Sept. 18.
Apple also introduced AirPods 5, pushing noise control further for an open ear design. The $129 version delivers 50% more powerful noise reduction, which Apple says makes it the best noise cancellation from any open ear design on the market. The earbuds promise richer, more detailed audio across ear geometries, increased durability, hands free Siri AI interactions, and live translation.
Expect up to four hours of listening from the buds and a combined 20 hours with the case. A $149 upgrade adds on earbud volume adjustment, extends listening to as many as five hours, and includes a wireless charging case. Preorders open Sept. 12, and both versions hit stores Sept. 18.
Bottom line for your wallet: Apple is tying AI utility to everyday devices you already use, with firm prices and timelines that show how quickly this category is moving. If adoption heats up, demand could shift across wearables as buyers prioritize smarter audio, stronger health metrics, and better battery life.
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