Apple has launched the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, introducing new AI features and health upgrades. The devices are set to launch on September 18, with preorders available starting today. The Series 12 starts at $399 for the aluminum case, while the Ultra 4 begins at $799 according to The Verge. TechCrunch reports a slightly lower price for the Ultra 4 at $499, but no further details are provided.

The new watches include the S11 chip and Audio Intelligence features, such as Sound Recognition, Live Rewind, and Siri Recap. These features aim to enhance user experience by allowing users to rewind conversations and generate summaries of daily interactions. The Verge notes that the Series 12 and Ultra 4 have a '32-petal design' for improved sensor accuracy, while TechCrunch highlights a redesigned health-sensing system with enhanced electrode surface area and more efficient LEDs for better heart rate monitoring.

Health upgrades include continuous background heart rate sensing every five seconds and a new 'Readiness' feature that provides a score based on activity, vitals, and sleep. The 'Health Age' feature compares users' health metrics to their chronological age. The Verge mentions that the Readiness feature is exclusive to the Series 12 and Ultra 4 due to the new heart rate sensor array.

Battery life has also been improved, with the Series 12 offering up to 24 hours of everyday use and 10 hours during outdoor workouts, while the Ultra 4 provides up to 50 hours of battery life. The Verge reports faster charging, with 12 hours of battery recharged in 15 minutes.

The discrepancy in pricing between sources remains unresolved. Further details on the availability of the Hermès version of the Ultra 4 and the exact pricing for the Ultra 4 are not specified in the available information.