GadgetsTechAppleHow the new Apple Watches compare to the last-gen modelsApple’s newest watches sport new features like audio intelligence, but how do they stack up against the older models?Apple’s newest watches sport new features like audio intelligence, but how do they stack up against the older models?by Brad BourqueSep 9, 2026, 8:42 PM UTCShareGiftThe new Apple Watches come in a variety of material and strap combinations.Part OfAll the news from Apple’s ‘Surprise and shine’ eventsee all updates Brad Bourque is a tech journalist and commerce writer based out of Portland, Oregon. He’s contributed to sites like Digital Trends, Business Insider, and WIRED.Apple rolled out the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 at the “Surprise and shine” event. The new watches feature sizable improvements to the health sensors and tracking, plus the ability to recite audio transcriptions and summaries, plus a ceramic case option for the Series 12. Despite the new features, the watches start at the same base price as their previous iterations.
The Apple Watch Series 12 costs $399 for the aluminum version without cellular, and the Apple Watch Ultra 4 costs $799.RelatedHands-on with the foldable iPhone DuoApple Watch Series 12 has an always-on Siri that makes AI recaps of your dayThe biggest differences between the models are new features powered by the S11 processor. It supports the new Apple Intelligence features as well as more detailed health and fitness programs. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 also has longer battery life, up to 50 hours on a single charge, up from 42 on the Ultra 3. All the watches are slightly heavier, with the ceramic Apple Watch Series 12 sitting at 42.8 grams for the 42mm version and 52.9 grams for the 46mm version.
The heaviest Apple Watch Ultra is 63.1 grams, up from 61.8 grams on the older model.Make sure to check out our hands-on if you’re curious about the full scope of the changes. You can also scroll around in the YouTube video above to find where Victoria Song jumped into our post-event Vergecast livestream. On the other hand, if you’re more curious about how the new watches stack up to the previous versions, we’ve gathered up all the relevant information below in one handy, albeit sprawling, chart.CategoriesApple Watch Series 12Apple Watch Series 11Apple Watch Ultra 4Apple Watch Ultra 3Starting MSRP$399 (Aluminum) / $699 (Titanium) / $899 (Ceramic)$399 (GPS) / $499 (5G)$799$799Sizes42mm / 46mm42mm / 46mm49mm49mmCase materialAluminum or titanium or ceramicAluminum or titaniumTitaniumTitaniumWeight (Grams)42mm: 32.2 (aluminum GPS) / 31.5 (aluminum 5G) / 36.5 (titanium) / 41.7-42.8 (ceramic)42mm: 30.3 (aluminum GPS) / 29.7 (aluminum 5G) / 34.6 (titanium)63.0 (natural) / 63.1 (black)61.6 (natural / light gray) /61.8 (black)DisplayAlways-On Retina LTPO3 OLED / wide-angle OLEDAlways-On Retina LTPO3 OLED / wide-angle OLEDAlways-On Retina LTPO3 OLED / wide-angle OLEDAlways-On Retina LTPO3 OLED / wide-angle OLEDScreen brightnessUp to 2,000 nits brightnessUp to 2,000 nits brightnessUp to 3,000 nits brightnessUp to 3,000 nits brightnessScreen resolution42mm: 374 x 44942mm: 374 x 446422 x 514422 x 51446mm: 416 x 49646mm: 416 x 496Minimum brightness1 nit1 nit1 nit1 nitProcessorS11 with 64-bit dual-core processorS10 with 64-bit dual-core processorS11 with 64-bit dual-core processorS10 with 64-bit dual-core processorUltra wideband chip (second-gen)YesYesYesYesOperating systemwatchOS 27watchOS 26WatchOS 27watchOS 26Water resistanceWater resistant up to 50 metersWater resistant up to 50 metersWater resistant up to 100 metersWater resistant up to 100 metersDust resistanceIP6X-ratedIP6X-ratedIP6X-rated / Tested to MIL-STD 810HIP6X-rated / Tested to MIL-STD 810HConnectivityWi-Fi 4 (2.4 and 5GHz) + L1 GPS + Bluetooth 5.3Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 and 5GHz) + L1 GPS + Bluetooth 5.3Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 and 5GHz) + Precision dual-frequency GPS + Bluetooth 5.3 + 5GWi-Fi 4 (2.4 and 5GHz) + Precision dual-frequency (L1 and L5) GPS + Bluetooth 5.3 + 5GStorage64GB64GB64GB64GBEstimated battery lifeUp to 24 hours; 38 hours in low-power modeUp to 24 hours; 38 hours in low-power modeUp to 50 hours; 84 hours in low-power modeUp to 42 hours; 72 hours in low-power modeFast ChargingYes (80 percent in about 30 minutes)Yes (80 percent in about 30 minutes)Yes (80 percent in about 45 minutes)Yes (80 percent in about 45 minutes)FeaturesSiri, Apple Pay, single tap, double tap, wrist flickSiri, Apple Pay, single tap, double tap, wrist flickSiri, Apple Pay, single tap, double tap, wrist flickSiri, Apple Pay, single tap, double tap, wrist flickHealth trackingSleep, cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates, third-generation optical heart sensor, ECG, hypertension, blood oxygenSleep, cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates, third-generation optical heart sensor, ECG, hypertension, blood oxygenSleep, cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates, third-generation optical heart sensor, ECG, hypertension, blood oxygenSleep, cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates, third-generation optical heart sensor, ECG, hypertension, blood oxygenHealth notificationsSleep apnea, hypertension, high/low/irregular heart, fall detection, crash detectionSleep apnea, hypertension, high/low/irregular heart, fall detection, crash detectionSleep apnea, hypertension, high/low/irregular heart, fall detection, crash detectionSleep apnea, hypertension, high/low/irregular heart, fall detection, crash detectionEnvironmental trackingTemperature sensor, compass, offline maps, always-on altimeterTemperature sensor, compass, offline maps, always-on altimeterTemperature sensor, compass, offline maps, always-on altimeterTemperature sensor, compass, offline maps, always-on altimeterEmergency SOSYes (cellular only)Yes (cellular only)Yes (cellular, satellite)Yes (cellular, satellite)Built-in mic and speakerYesYesYes, triple-mic array, dual speakersYes, triple-mic array, dual speakersMedia playbackYesYesYesYesSirenNoNoYesYesNight modeNoNoYesYesWater temperature and depth sensorsDepth gauge up to 6m and water temperature sensor; Oceanic Plus app for snorkelingDepth gauge to 6m and water temperature sensor; Oceanic Plus app for snorkelingDepth gauge to 40m and water temperature sensor; Oceanic Plus app for use as a dive computerDepth gauge to 40m and water temperature sensor; Oceanic Plus app for use as a dive computerColorsAluminum: dark bronze, light gold, black, space gray; Titanium: radiant gold, natural; ceramic: pearl white, night blueAluminum: jet black, rose gold, and silver; Titanium: slate, gold, and naturalNatural titanium and blackNatural titanium and blackFollow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Brad BourqueAppleApple Event 2026GadgetsPhonesSmartwatchTechWearableRead the Apple document explaining how new listening features still protect your privacyStevie Bonifield6 seconds agoApple extends free iPhone satellite features yet again.Jay Peters21 minutes agoVerge staffers react to the iPhone Duo: What we love and don’t loveVerge Staff60 minutes agoMost PopularThe iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldableiPhone 18 live blog: On the ground at Apple’s biggest eventApple announces the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro MaxHands-on with the foldable iPhone DuoLG TVs caught spying even when offline or on standbyAdvertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native ad
