AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: Prices, Features, Verdict

Beyond the iPhones, Apple‘s September 9, 2026 event refreshed three accessories that sell by the millions: the AirPods 5, the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. The biggest change is in the earbuds: active noise cancellation, previously reserved for the pricier models, now comes on every version, starting at $129. Everything hits stores on September 18.

Quick answer: what is new?

AirPods 5: H3 chip, ANC on all models (50% more noise reduction than AirPods 4), 5 hours with ANC and 20 hours with the case, Live Translation and hands-free Siri, for $129 ($149 with the wireless charging case). Apple Watch Series 12: S11 chip, an all-new Health Sensing System, a readiness score, a ceramic finish, $399. Ultra 4: two-day battery life, $799.

AirPods 5: ANC is no longer a luxury

Apple’s move was simple and aggressive: active noise cancellation is now standard. The AirPods 5 promise 50% more noise reduction than the AirPods 4, thanks to redesigned internals and a next-generation EQ. What separates the $129 version from the $149 one now is only the wireless charging case. The H3 chip improves sound quality and latency, and the earbuds gained Live Translation — handy for travel — plus hands-free Siri access. Battery: 5 hours with ANC on and up to 20 hours including the case.

Apple Watch Series 12: the watch becomes a lab

The Series 12 brings the S11 chip and what Apple calls an all-new Health Sensing System: electrodes with increased surface area for more accurate ECG readings and more power-efficient green LEDs that let it check heart rate 60 times more often than the previous generation. That feeds the new readiness score, which combines heart rate, HRV and sleep to tell you whether to train hard or rest. There are eight new health and fitness features and three “Audio Intelligence” features. A ceramic finish and a wave of new bands round it out. Price unchanged: $399.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: two days away from the charger

The Ultra 4 gets the same sensors and features as the Series 12, but the headline is two-day battery life. For hikers, long-distance cyclists or anyone who hates charging a watch, that is the selling point. Price also unchanged: $799.

Prices and dates

Product	Price (U.S.)	Highlight	In stores
AirPods 5	$129	Standard ANC, H3 chip, Live Translation	Sept 18, 2026
AirPods 5 (wireless case)	$149	Same earbuds + wireless charging	Sept 18, 2026
Apple Watch Series 12	$399	S11, new sensing system, ceramic	Sept 18, 2026
Apple Watch Ultra 4	$799	Two-day battery	Sept 18, 2026

Why this matters to you

If you own AirPods 4 without ANC or an older generation, the AirPods 5 are the easiest upgrade to justify this year — noise cancellation for $129 changes daily life on transit and in the office. On the watch side, Series 10 or 11 owners can wait: the readiness score is nice, but not a revolution. Anyone coming from a Series 7 or 8 gets sensors, chip and battery in a different class. And if battery life is your problem, the Ultra 4 finally delivers a real two days.

Frequently asked questions

How much do the AirPods 5 cost?

$129 for the base version and $149 for the version with the wireless charging case. Both have active noise cancellation.

Did the Apple Watch Series 12 get more expensive?

No. The starting price remains $399 in the U.S. The Ultra 4 also stayed at $799.

What is the Apple Watch readiness score?

A daily index that combines heart rate, heart rate variability and sleep to indicate whether your body is ready for exertion or needs rest, made possible by the new sensing system in the Series 12 and Ultra 4.

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