Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 On Sale Today: Reviews Praise Health Upgrades

Launch day is here. Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 are officially available in Apple Stores worldwide and arriving on doorsteps today, September 18, 2026. First announced at Apple Park on September 9 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, both watches have received positive early reviews.

What Reviewers Say

Early reviewers consistently praise the new Health Sensing System powered by the S11 chip. Heart rate measurements now occur every five seconds — a 60x increase in frequency — giving more granular data for workouts and resting heart rate tracking. HRV measurements are also more frequent, improving readiness and recovery insights.

Series 12 Highlights ($399)

• Ceramic Shield 2: 60% tougher than Ion-X glass on previous aluminum models
• 128GB storage standard across all models
• 5G connectivity and Bluetooth 5.3
• Available in 42mm and 46mm with familiar design

Ultra 4 Highlights ($799)

• Blood pressure monitoring — a first for Apple Watch
• 50 hours of battery life — the longest yet
• Thinner titanium construction
• Satellite emergency SOS

Previous-Gen Deals

If you want to save, Series 11 has dropped to $319 and Ultra 3 is $619 — both run watchOS 27 and remain excellent watches. Read our full launch day analysis or browse all smartwatches.