Apple expands wearable ecosystem with AirPods 5, Watch Series 12, Ultra 4

Alongside the flagship iPhone Duo foldable, and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max smartphones, Apple launched a broad refresh of its personal accessories ecosystem, introducing AirPods 5, Watch Series 12, and Watch Ultra 4.

The releases push to integrate on-device AI deeply into wearable devices while advancing non-invasive health monitoring. By pairing new custom silicon with upgraded acoustic and biometric sensors, Apple aims to maintain its position in hearables and smartwatches, two categories where competitors are rapidly expanding health tracking and voice capabilities.

The wearable technology sector has evolved from basic step counting towards continuous physiological monitoring and ambient voice intelligence. Competitors across the consumer electronics market have been introducing advanced recovery metrics and adaptive audio filtering, compelling manufacturers to refine algorithm accuracy and power efficiency.

AirPods 5

Apple updated its wireless earbud line with AirPods 5, bringing open-ear Active Noise Cancellation, a technology that uses external microphones and inverse sound waves to reduce background noise without a silicone ear tip seal, to its entry-level tier. Engineered with a multiport acoustic architecture and computational audio algorithms, the earbuds suppress up to 50% more external sound than AirPods 4 with ANC. An improved Transparency mode passes environmental sounds through more naturally, while Adaptive Audio dynamically balances noise reduction based on ambient conditions.

The earbuds incorporate next-generation Adaptive EQ to adjust sound frequencies to fit individual ear shapes. When paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled smartphone running iOS 27, AirPods 5 grant hands-free access to Siri AI, allowing users to interact using head gestures such as nodding or shaking. Furthermore, computational audio enables real-time Live Translation across multiple languages directly through the earbuds.

Highlighting the expansion of noise cancellation technology, Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering, said, “We are thrilled that with AirPods 5, we are able to bring Active Noise Cancellation - one of our most beloved features - to our most affordable AirPods,” He added, “Both AirPods 5 models deliver a world-class listening experience and enable features like Live Translation for even more people. Paired with Siri AI, AirPods are a game changer for unlocking powerful hands-free capabilities.”

AirPods 5 are priced at Rs 14900 for the standard model. A second version featuring a wireless charging case, stem volume swipe control, and up to five hours of listening time with ANC enabled, is priced at Rs 17900. Both models are available for pre-order ahead of store release on Friday, September 18.

Apple Watch Series 12

Turning to smartwatches, Apple Watch Series 12 introduces the Health Sensing System, driven by the S11 silicon chip. Re-architected optical and electrical heart sensors track heart rate every five seconds throughout the day using power-efficient green light-emitting diodes. Heart rate variability (HRV), which measures millisecond fluctuations between heartbeats to gauge physical stress and recovery, is sampled up to 24 times more frequently.

Leveraging these continuous measurements, Series 12 introduces a daily readiness score ranging from 0 to 10. Developed using algorithmic models from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, the score analyses sleep quality, recent training load, and vitals to advise users on whether to recover, pace themselves, or increase exercise intensity. The smartwatch also features redesigned pedometer machine-learning algorithms for higher step-tracking accuracy, along with fast charging that yields up to 12 hours of usage from a 15-minute charge.

Series 12 also debuts Audio Intelligence features, including Live Rewind, which presents a 15-second text snippet of recent conversation, and Siri Recap, which generates high-level summaries. To safeguard privacy, raw audio is processed within a hardware-isolated compartment on the S11 chip called Secure Exclave before being immediately deleted.

Commenting on the health advancements, Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Apple Watch Product Marketing, said, “With our new Health Sensing System and S11 chip, Apple Watch Series 12 gives you meaningful insights, like readiness, so you can better understand how to take on your day and care for your health, plus intelligence features that make everyday life easier.”

Apple Watch Series 12 is available in aluminium, titanium, or ceramic cases, with aluminium models featuring Ceramic Shield 2 glass that is 60% tougher than previous Ion-X glass. Offered in 42mm and 46mm sizes, pricing starts at Rs 56900, with store availability starting September 18.

Apple Watch Ultra 4

Designed for endurance athletes, Apple Watch Ultra 4 integrates the Health Sensing System, S11 chip, and readiness scoring into a 3D-printed titanium chassis, available in natural and black finishes. The smartwatch offers extended battery life, providing up to 50 hours of standard operation, up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode, and up to 45 hours of outdoor workout tracking in Max Extended Workout mode with GPS sampling every second.

The watch includes dual-frequency GPS for precise mapping in challenging environments, alongside safety capabilities such as satellite communications for Emergency SOS and Find My messaging when outside cellular coverage. Ultra 4 runs watchOS 27 with Siri AI support, though certain AI capabilities remain in beta and face regional roll-out schedules.

“With powerful health and fitness insights including readiness, new intelligent features, and its large, bright display, Apple Watch Ultra 4 is designed to support you wherever you go, from your workouts, to adventures, to everything you tackle in a day,” Drance noted, emphasising the rugged capabilities of the flagship sports watch.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at Rs 109900, with store availability starting Friday, September 18.