Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Apple Adds AI Listening Features to New Smartwatches
Apple is adding new artificial-intelligence features to its watches.
The watches can listen for useful sounds and can summarize or transcribe parts of conversations.
People must choose whether to turn on each listening feature.
Apple says the audio is not saved and is deleted after it is processed.
The watches will also measure heart activity more often and give users a daily readiness score.
The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799 and can last up to 50 hours.
Apple also announced AirPods 5 with better noise cancellation and other AI features.
These products are meant to help Apple compete with newer AI wearable devices.
Apple introduced AI audio tools for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, including Siri Recap and Live Recap.
The watches can detect sounds such as crying babies, doorbells and sirens, while users can choose whether to enable each feature.
Apple said audio is processed without recordings being created or stored, and raw audio is immediately deleted.
The new watches add improved heart-rate tracking, daily readiness scores, tougher cover glass and longer battery life on the Ultra 4.
Apple also announced AirPods 5 with stronger open-ear noise cancellation, hands-free Siri interactions and live translation.
- Who
- Apple Inc. introduced new Apple Watch models, AI audio features and AirPods 5.
- What
- The company announced AI-powered listening, transcription, health-tracking and audio features for its devices.
- When
- The announcements were made Wednesday; watchOS 27 Siri features begin rolling out as a beta on September 14, and the watches reach stores on September 18.
- Where
- The product event took place in Cupertino, California.
- Why
- Apple is adding AI capabilities and health features to compete in the growing AI-wearables market.
- Apple Watch Series 12 price
- Starts at $399.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4 price
- Starts at $799.
- Watch availability
- Preorders begin Wednesday; both models are available in stores starting September 18.
- Audio privacy
- Apple says no recordings are created or stored, and raw audio is immediately deleted after processing.
- AI audio availability
- The new audio features will be available to test in English later this year.
- AirPods 5 price
- The standard model costs $129; an upgraded model costs $149.
- AirPods 5 battery
- The standard model offers up to four hours of playback and 20 hours with case recharges; the upgraded model offers up to five hours of continuous listening.