Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 4: Clash of the Newest Apple Watches
The newest Apple smartwatches have premium features — and prices to match.
Apple introduced its latest smartwatches at a surprise event on September 9, including the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Both wearables run the company's newest WatchOS 27 software and feature numerous functionalities that operate independently of paired iPhones. The Series 12 is the standard model, while the Ultra 4 is the more premium version with added durability and features.
Neither model saw significant hardware upgrades, but the Ultra 4 is the superior choice for display size and durability, capable of withstanding extreme conditions.
Pricewise, both watches remain at their respective starting prices of $400 and $800, with no changes to the price bump seen in newer iPhone models. The Series 12 starts at $400 for an aluminum 42mm case, goes up to $699 for a titanium 42mm case, and tops out at $899 for a ceramic case. The Ultra 4, on the other hand, starts at $800 and remains in a single titanium 49mm size.
The Apple Watch Series 12 retains its rectangular OLED display from the previous Series 11, with a 2,000 nits brightness and rounded edges. It comes in aluminum, titanium, and ceramic finishes in various colors. The Ultra 4, meanwhile, also features a larger rectangular OLED Retina display at 49mm, with only a titanium case available.
Sensor arrays on both watches have been redesigned to increase surface area for readings, with the Ultra 4 offering heart rate readings every 5 seconds compared to the Series 12's every 5 minutes. Both watches are dust-resistant (IP6X) but the Ultra 4 is water-resistant to 100 meters, making it suitable for recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters, while the Series 12 only offers 50 meters of water resistance.
Battery life is a significant differentiator between the two models. The Series 12 lasts around 24 hours (38 hours in Low Power Mode), while the Ultra 4 offers up to 50 hours (84 hours with Low Power mode). The Ultra 4 also features two workout-specific battery modes: Extended Workout for up to 25 hours and Max Extended Workout for up to 48 hours.
Lastly, both watches are powered by Apple's S11 chip, enabling features such as the updated Siri AI and Audio Intelligence, a suite of AI-powered features analyzing surrounding sounds.
Written by urgent.news from CNET's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
