Apple has officially opened preorders for the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, bringing a major focus on health tracking. Both watches use a new Health Sensing System and the new S11 chip, while adding a new Readiness score designed to help users understand whether their body is ready for activity or needs more rest.
In India, the Apple Watch Series 12 starts at ₹56,900, while the Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at ₹1,09,900. Both models are scheduled to become available on September 18, 2026.
Preorders are now open in India
Apple has started taking preorders for both new watches in India and more than 50 other countries and regions. Customers who place an order now can expect the watches to become available from Friday, September 18.
The two watches are aimed at different types of users. The Series 12 is designed as an everyday health and fitness watch, while the Ultra 4 is built for people who want a larger, tougher watch with longer battery life and more features for outdoor activities.
| Model | Starting price in India | Availability | Main focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 12 | ₹56,900 | September 18, 2026 | Health, fitness and everyday use |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | ₹1,09,900 | September 18, 2026 | Sports, outdoor use, health and longer battery life |
New Health Sensing System is the main upgrade
The biggest change in both watches is a redesigned Health Sensing System. Apple says the new system provides its most accurate heart-rate sensing in a wearable and can collect heart-rate and heart-rate variability, or HRV, information more often.
The new system works with the S11 chip and redesigned optical and electrical sensors. Apple says the improved system allows higher-frequency heart monitoring, giving the watch more health data to use when creating insights for the wearer.
For normal users, this means the watch can do more than simply show your heart rate during a workout. The additional data can also help with features that look at activity, recovery and sleep.
Readiness score tells users when to push or rest
Another major addition is the new Readiness experience. The feature gives users a simple score intended to show how ready they are for the day.
The score looks at recent activity, body measurements and sleep information. It then gives users a simple way to understand whether they may be ready for more activity or should consider taking things easier. The score can also change during the day as activity levels change.
Apple is also increasing the amount of HRV information collected by the watches. HRV is a measurement of changes in the time between heartbeats, and the watch uses it as one part of its broader health and recovery picture.
The main health-focused additions include:
- Higher-frequency heart-rate and HRV measurements
- New Readiness score based on activity, sleep and other health data
- Updated sensors working with the S11 chip
- More health and fitness information through watchOS 27
Apple says the Vitals app remains intended for wellness use and is not a medical tool. Users should not treat the watch’s readings as a replacement for professional medical advice.
Apple Watch Series 12 gets new materials and finishes
The Series 12 is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes. Buyers can choose from aluminum, titanium or ceramic cases, depending on the version. Apple has introduced several finishes, including dark bronze, black, light gold and space gray aluminum, along with radiant gold and natural titanium. Ceramic versions are available in pearl white and night blue.
Apple has also added Ceramic Shield 2 to the aluminum models. The company says it is 60 percent tougher than the Ion-X glass used on previous aluminum models.
The Series 12 offers up to 24 hours of normal battery use and up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode, according to Apple’s stated battery figures.
Ultra 4 is built for longer outdoor use
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 keeps its 49mm titanium design and is available in natural and black titanium. It is aimed more directly at athletes, outdoor users and people who need longer battery life.
One of its biggest improvements is battery performance during extended workouts. Apple says the Ultra 4 can provide up to 45 hours of outdoor workout tracking. The watch also includes updated health sensors, higher-frequency heart monitoring and the new Readiness feature.
The Ultra 4 also includes Apple’s most accurate on-device GPS in a sports watch, according to the company. This is intended to improve location tracking during outdoor activities.
S11 chip brings more than faster performance
Both watches use Apple’s new S11 chip. It is not only used to improve general performance. Apple says the chip also supports the new Health Sensing System and new Audio Intelligence features.
Audio Intelligence features include Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Sound Recognition and faster Shazam. Live Rewind and Siri Recap are expected to arrive in beta later in 2026 and will require an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone.
The watches also run watchOS 27, which brings Apple’s newer software features and Siri AI capabilities to the wrist.
Important health feature is not available in India at launch
There is one important limitation for Indian buyers. Hypertension Notifications will not be available initially on Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4 in India.
Apple says additional regulatory clearances for the feature are still being processed, with availability expected next year. This means Indian customers should not buy either watch expecting to use that particular feature immediately.
Other health features, including heart-rate notifications, ECG, sleep tracking and sleep apnea notifications, remain part of the broader Apple Watch health system, although feature availability can vary by model and region.
When will the new Apple Watches go on sale?
Preorders for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 are already open in India. Both models are expected to reach stores and begin customer availability on September 18, 2026.
For buyers deciding between the two, the basic choice is straightforward. The Series 12 is the less expensive option and focuses heavily on everyday health and fitness. The Ultra 4 costs considerably more but offers a larger rugged design, titanium construction and longer outdoor workout tracking.
Final word
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 mark a clear shift toward more detailed health tracking. Their new Health Sensing System collects heart-related information more frequently, while the new Readiness score turns some of that information into a simple daily guide.
The Series 12 starts at ₹56,900 in India, while the Ultra 4 starts at ₹1,09,900. With preorders now open and both watches arriving on September 18, the main decision for buyers will come down to price, size, battery needs and how seriously they plan to use the watch for sports and outdoor activities.