S11 chips, improved heart rate sensors, and a new Readiness score app are among the main upgrades.
The devices are said to keep battery life from getting worse, and real-world endurance is described as strong.
The Ultra 4 adds rugged features including satellite connectivity and deeper water resistance.
Reviewers compare Apple's continuous readiness tracking with the Oura Ring.
Some features, including Siri Rewind and Live Recap, are scheduled for later release.
One report says watchOS 27 changes the double-click Digital Crown shortcut, with no setting to customize or revert it.
A quick read on shared facts, changing details, and different emphasis.
Reporting broadly agrees that the new watches focus on health and performance upgrades, with faster chips, better sensors, and new readiness features. It also agrees that battery life remains a strong point and that some software features will arrive later.
What may still change is how the later-arriving features such as Siri Rewind and Live Recap perform once they are released. The app-shortcut change in watchOS 27 could also matter more if Apple adds customization options or leaves it as is.
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Mashable reports that watchOS 27 removes the long-standing double-click Digital Crown shortcut for app-switching across all Apple Watch models. On the new Series 12 and Ultra 4, the double-click action activates the new Live Rewind transcription feature, while older models bring up the app grid instead. The publication notes user frustration over the lack of settings options to customize or revert this shortcut behavior.
Reviewers report that the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 feature faster S11 chips, improved heart rate sensors, and a new Readiness score app. Outlets like The Verge and 9to5Mac note that these upgrades do not negatively impact battery life, while CNET highlights that Apple's continuous readiness tracking differentiates it from competitors like the Oura Ring. Certain features, such as Siri Rewind and Live Recap, are scheduled for release later this year.
PCMag UK compares the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 across price, design, AI, health features, connectivity, durability, and battery life. The Series 12 starts at an accessible $399, whereas the Ultra 4 is priced at $799 with additional rugged features like satellite connectivity and deeper water resistance. Both models share the new S11 chip, upgraded heart rate sensors, and impressive real-world battery endurance that exceeds Apple's estimates.
DC Rainmaker provides an in-depth review of the Apple Watch Ultra 4, detailing its hardware changes, new optical heart rate sensor, and upcoming Health app redesign. The review highlights improvements to battery modes, background heart rate tracking, and on-device audio intelligence features. The author notes that the device requires a compatible paired iPhone to function and leverage its new processing capabilities.