Automatic transcripts and music recognition: These are the new Apple Watches
10.9.2026
Translation: machine translated
The new smartwatches are getting an updated Siri and features such as automatic transcription and music recognition.
Apple has introduced the Watch Ultra 4 and the Watch Series. The design remains unchanged, but the watches receive new sensors: the electrodes are designed to sit better on the skin compared to their predecessors, allowing for more accurate health measurements.
Additionally, the green LEDs for heart rate measurement are larger, and the watch measures your pulse every five seconds. This ensures consistently accurate recording, whether in everyday life or during sports.
You can find more Apple news from my colleagues:
Software upgrades and Siri as an AI assistant
Apple smartwatches now benefit from Siri AI: for example, you can use a dynamic app grid that displays five apps suggested by Siri at any given time – including frequently used or recently used ones. Thanks to a dedicated app, you can use Siri for natural conversations directly on your wrist. At launch, Siri AI is only available in English and not yet in the EU or Switzerland.
A new algorithm ensures more accurate step counting. Thanks to this, distance measurements indoors are said to be better. In general, step counting is said to be more accurate than in the predecessor. Thanks to a new one-handed tap gesture, you can open a watch widget by tapping your index finger and thumb together.
The Health app has been given a fresh look and provides personal recommendations based on your activities and habits. Furthermore, the app determines your fitness age based on sleep, habits, and heart rate.
Source: Apple
A new Readiness Score (0-10) does exactly that. It checks how ready you are for the day or your next workout. To do this, the software analyzes your daily activity, training load, vital signs, and sleep. The Apple Watch's clear daily recommendation then includes, for example, strict recovery, «You are ready» or simply «Go for it».
Source: Apple
The following new approaches are based on Apple Intelligence and will initially only be available in English and in the United States:
- Audio Intelligence: This allows the Apple Watch to recognize sounds in the environment that might be important, such as sirens or a doorbell.
- Tone recognition: If someone says something important and you need a repeat, press the crown twice to receive a short transcript (about 15 seconds) of what was just said. For data protection reasons, the audio recordings are not stored anywhere and do not have voice recognition.
- Siri Recap: Here, the watch creates a short summary of a conversation, lecture, or meeting. This allows you to review important content again. If you activate the function during a conversation, Siri creates a title in the app and summarizes the most important points.
- Shazam: The watch recognizes music from your environment and collects the information in your watch's music recognition widget.
Source: Apple
Apple Watch Ultra 4
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 shines with an OLED display with a resolution of 422 × 514 pixels, just like the previous model. Thanks to 3000 nits, it should be easy to read even in bright sunlight and from side angles. The case measures 49 × 44 millimeters, making it the same size as the Ultra 3.
Source: Apple
Apple has installed the new S11 chip in the Watch Ultra 4. The battery life is 50 hours, or 84 hours in power-saving mode. Thanks to the fast-charging function, the watch is charged to 80 percent in 45 minutes.
The watch is equipped with dual-frequency GPS. This ensures accurate positioning in deep canyons or dense forests. The U2 Ultra-Wideband chip helps with the precise search for lost iPhones.
Apple sells the Watch Ultra 4 with a 49-millimeter titanium case in black or silver for 749 Swiss francs or 899 euros. It is therefore the same price as its predecessor at launch. It will be delivered starting September 18.
Apple Watch Series 12
In familiar fashion, you get the watch in two sizes, either 42 or 46 millimeters in diameter. The OLED display has a resolution of 374 × 446 pixels for the 42-millimeter version. It weighs just under 32 grams. The new S11 chip is also on board with the Watch Series 12.
Regarding battery life, Apple mentions 24 hours, just like the predecessor. That gets you through at least one day. It is 38 hours in power-saving mode. However, charging is faster: you reach 80 percent in about 30 minutes.
Source: Apple
For the Watch 12, you can choose between space gray, dark bronze, black, and light gold for the aluminum case. The titanium version is available in silver and gold. A brand new ceramic version is available in white and dark blue.
The retail price is 369 Swiss francs or 449 euros. This makes it the same price as the previous models at release. It is available starting September 18.
Header image: Apple
Ever since I learned how to hold a pen, I've been doodling away in bright colours. Thanks to my iPad, digital art has also become part of my life. That's why I love testing tablets – from the graphic design range to the regular kind. When I feel the urge to express my creativity without lugging lots of equipment, I go for the latest smartphones and start snapping away.
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