Hands-On Review: Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4

This year's Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 mark another evolution in the smartwatch line. While maintaining familiar designs, these new models introduce significant under-the-hood enhancements and aesthetic refinements. The core improvements revolve around a more robust processing unit and a highly advanced health monitoring system, building on the established tenth-anniversary redesign.

These incremental upgrades make the latest generation a compelling choice for users with older models, offering less incentive for those who recently acquired last year's versions. However, for dedicated enthusiasts eager for the newest technology, Apple has included several appealing additions.

Reintroducing Ceramic Excellence

Among the most noteworthy announcements for this year's Apple Watch collection is the return of ceramic as a case material. While titanium remains a strong contender, particularly with the continued use of 3D-printed cases, the ceramic option adds a distinctive and sophisticated touch. Apple first introduced ceramic with the Series 3 in 2017. The current revival presents two new shades: Pearl White and Night Blue. The Pearl White offers a slightly warmer tone than its Series 5 predecessor, while the Night Blue is a deeply glossy hue that appears nearly black indoors but reveals a rich navy in natural light.

The Pearl White ceramic stands out due to its ability to better conceal fingerprints and smudges compared to the darker ceramic and polished titanium versions. The Night Blue, despite its practical challenges, boasts an elegant shade reminiscent of high-end ceramic watches from luxury brands like Chanel and Audemars Piguet, though it is slightly darker. The Apple Watch ceramic cases feature a fully polished finish without any faceting or brushing, yet they exude excellent craftsmanship. This is particularly impressive given the Series 12's significantly more accessible price point compared to luxury counterparts.

Furthermore, Apple has refined its ceramic manufacturing process to enhance durability. New heat-soak stages during production increase the material's hardness after the initial compression molding and sintering. This ensures that the ceramic cases meet the same rigorous durability and drop-test standards as the rest of the product line, alleviating concerns about fragility in daily active use.

A welcome design change in these new ceramic editions is the removal of red accents from the watch crown. Previously, red on the crown indicated cellular capability, with the Series 3 featuring a prominent red top and the Series 5 a more subtle thin ring. The current design, free of red and sporting a polished silver crown, complements both ceramic colors beautifully, creating a cleaner and more refined aesthetic.

On the wrist, the ceramic models largely mirror the appearance of other Series 10 redesigns. Despite being marginally thicker than other Series 12 models (9.85mm vs. 9.7mm), this difference is practically unnoticeable. While the author typically prefers the larger 46mm size, a recent experience with the 42mm version highlighted its comfortable and unobtrusive fit. Measuring 35.8mm across the case, the 42mm model feels considerably smaller than the 38.8mm 46mm version. This perceived size difference is amplified by the rectangular form factor, which contrasts with traditional round watch designs. This year, the smaller Apple Watch might become a more consistent choice, even with the inherent benefit of a larger display.

Notably, the ceramic Series 12 models are priced considerably lower than previous iterations. Starting at $899 for the 42mm and $949 for the 46mm, these prices are a significant reduction from the $1,299 starting price of the 2019 white ceramic Apple Watch Edition. Given that the titanium Series 12 now occupies the $699 price point, the ceramic offerings present a much more appealing value proposition. This pricing strategy stands in stark contrast to the typically rigid pricing of Swiss timepieces.

This shift also signals the probable discontinuation of the "Apple Watch Edition" branding, which historically encompassed both titanium and ceramic models. The original Edition line, known for its over-$10,000 solid gold variant, aimed to position the Apple Watch in the luxury market. With the Apple Watch's widespread global adoption surpassing traditional watches, this branding may no longer be deemed necessary. Alternatively, Apple might be reserving the Edition moniker for even more exclusive materials in the future.

The Appeal of Dark Bronze Aluminum

The standard aluminum Series 12 introduces several new color options, with the Dark Bronze being particularly intriguing. Initially, the concept of a brown Apple Watch seemed less than desirable. While a light gold anodized aluminum makes sense, the darker shade prompted skepticism. However, experiencing it in person has shifted this perspective.

The Dark Bronze resembles a space gray Apple Watch with an enhanced warm tone, providing an attractive alternative to the prevalent monochromatic silver and black hues. The color accurately reflects its name, evoking the appearance of a well-aged bronze watch without the typical uneven patina or risk of skin discoloration. Apple also offers a new matching stainless steel Milanese Loop in dark brown. While the Milanese Loop is a popular bracelet style, the author finds it challenging to fully appreciate when paired with mixed metals, a personal preference. This is a moot point, however, as stainless steel Apple Watch models are not currently available.

A crucial upgrade for the aluminum Apple Watches is the inclusion of Ceramic Shield 2. While not sapphire crystal—which is reserved for titanium and ceramic models—Apple claims it is 60 percent more durable than the Ion-X glass used in previous aluminum designs. The author still favors sapphire for its superior scratch resistance, noting that Ceramic Shield 2, similar to the iPhone 17 Pro's material, likely offers excellent shatter resistance but may still be prone to scratches over time.

Introducing the Ultra 4

The Ultra 4 brings fewer external novelties, focusing instead on internal enhancements. The most significant changes, applicable to all new Apple Watch models, are the upgraded S11 chip and the advanced Health Sensing Suite. From a design perspective, the Ultra 4 retains the look and feel of its predecessor, the Ultra 3. It continues to be offered in Natural titanium and a DLC-coated Black option, with cases meticulously 3D printed from 100% recycled titanium.

A key improvement, particularly for users upgrading from older generations, is the extended battery life. The Ultra 3 increased battery life from 36 to 42 hours, and the Ultra 4 further extends this to an impressive 50 hours. The author, who previously found the Ultra 3's battery life more than adequate, welcomes this enhanced longevity. While Series 12 models also benefit from faster charging (15 minutes provides 12 hours of battery life), the Ultra 4's extended power reserve is more noticeable, offering 18 hours of usage from just 15 minutes of fast charging.

The Advanced Health Sensing Suite

The most substantial and impactful advancements in both the Series 12 and Ultra 4 stem from the new Health Sensing Suite, a revamped sensor hardware on the caseback that works in conjunction with the new S11 chip. As Apple Watches have become indispensable for global health monitoring, these technical improvements, while perhaps not visually striking, are crucial for the product's efficacy and daily relevance. While aesthetic features like ceramic cases are appealing, the health capabilities directly influence user well-being.

Apple asserts that this new sensor system is its most accurate to date, claiming it delivers the most precise heart rate sensing in any wearable. This assertion is based on extensive testing against medical-grade ECGs, other smartwatches, and popular health trackers like the Oura Ring and Whoop bands. The underlying technology involves more efficient LEDs and a redesigned photodiode array, enabling high-frequency heart rate tracking. Unlike previous generations that measured heart rate every five minutes, the new models take readings every five seconds, capturing more nuanced data from daily movements and activities. The author notes that even a slight lift of the Series 12 reveals the flashing green LEDs actively monitoring heart rate.

In daily use, the real-time heart rate complication on the Apple Watch faces (the author favors Exactograph) feels significantly more immediate and accurate than before. Beyond detailed health metrics in the Health app, a new Readiness app synthesizes movement, vital signs, and sleep data into a "readiness score." This score indicates an individual's stress levels or readiness for activity, offering a more digestible summary than reviewing individual metrics. This new functionality is expected to be widely appreciated by users.

Controversial Audio Intelligence Features

Many additional features announced for the new watches, including a redesigned Health app for iPhone that leverages enhanced sensor tracking and new insights, are not yet available and will be rolled out later in the year. However, the most debated new feature is the Audio Intelligence suite, which has generated significant discussion online and within the author's workplace.

The timing of these technically impressive features is somewhat sensitive, given widespread concerns about devices constantly listening to conversations. While the initial abilities are relatively innocuous, such as a faster Shazam-like function that identifies playing songs almost instantly, the more contentious aspects are the upcoming Siri Recap and Live Rewind features. Live Rewind allows users to double-click the Digital Crown to receive a text summary of the previous 15 seconds of a conversation. Siri Recap extends this concept, continuously documenting daily interactions, meetings, and more.

Apple acknowledges privacy concerns and emphasizes a privacy-centric implementation: no recordings are stored, audio is processed only within the secure exclave of the S11 chip at the time of speech, and Recaps do not include speaker attribution or identification. The author recognizes the significant accessibility implications, particularly for the hearing impaired. However, questions remain about the psychological discomfort users and those around them might experience. The difference between spoken words and their documented form is substantial; conversations would undoubtedly become more guarded if participants knew their words were being recorded. The author also wonders about the reach of these recordings, questioning whether private conversations in public spaces could inadvertently be captured by nearby Apple Watches. While Apple's implementation seems well-handled, the fundamental desire for such features on an Apple Watch is debatable.

Intriguingly, this new functionality could inadvertently strengthen the case for wearing both a smartwatch and a traditional watch. As public awareness of privacy grows, wearing a traditional watch might signal trustworthiness in confidential discussions. Workplace policies might emerge regarding always-recording devices, making a traditional timepiece like a Seiko 5 or Speedmaster a more practical choice in certain professional settings. The actual impact of these new listening features will become clear as they roll out, and the author intends to closely observe these developments.

Concluding Perspectives

In summation, the latest generation of Apple Watches, encompassing the Series 12 and Ultra 4, exemplifies the pinnacle of modern digital wristwear. Apple's continuous commitment to impeccable fit and finish, achieved through precision manufacturing at scale, offers valuable insights into the broader world of watchmaking. This dedication has captivated the author since the first Apple Watch, prompting efforts to integrate it into a lifestyle primarily dominated by mechanical timepieces.

As noted, the product line has reached a level of maturity where annual updates bring fewer dramatic shifts compared to the groundbreaking changes of its early years. Nevertheless, these new models offer numerous compelling features, including innovative finishes and the reintroduction of ceramic at a more accessible price point. Crucially, the significant enhancements to health tracking solidify the Apple Watch's relevance, even for those who typically prefer traditional watches. Year after year, the Apple Watch consistently presents a persuasive argument for its integral role in daily life, extending far beyond simple timekeeping. While the author has no immediate plans for "double-wristing," the thought has become more prominent than ever before.