AirPods 5 and Apple Watch Series 12 Hit Stores With Ultra 4

CUPERTINO, Calif. - Apple’s AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, and Apple Watch Ultra 4 went on sale Friday in stores and online in a first-wave set of markets that Apple says spans the United States and more than 50 to 65 other countries and regions, the same retail day as iPhone 18 Pro but a separate wearables beat focused on open-ear noise cancellation and a new Health Sensing System.

Apple’s Newsroom stores note for Sept. 18 shows the Watch and AirPods lineup arriving alongside the Pro iPhones at Apple Store locations worldwide, including launch-day photos from Apple The Exchange TRX in Kuala Lumpur. Pre-orders opened earlier in September. First deliveries and walk-in pickup begin today where stock allows. Apple advises checking the Apple Store app or apple.com for model and finish availability before traveling to a store.

Photo: Apple

Photo: Apple

AirPods 5 put Active Noise Cancellation on Apple’s open-ear buds from $129. Apple says the open-ear ANC removes up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, using a multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ, with a more natural Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio that blends the two. Live Translation is available when paired with a compatible Apple device.

Photo: Apple

Photo: Apple

Photo: Apple

Two configurations share the same earbuds. The $129 model uses a USB-C charging case. AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case cost $149 and add longer published listening time, wireless charging (including Apple Watch chargers and Qi-compatible pads), and on-stem volume swipe via a force sensor, which Apple calls a first for its open-ear form factor. Apple rates the Wireless Charging Case model at up to five hours of listening with ANC on a charge and up to 22 hours with the case when listening with ANC. Both models list improved dust, sweat, and water resistance versus prior open-ear AirPods.

Photo: Apple

Apple Watch Series 12 pairs a new S11 chip with Apple’s redesigned Health Sensing System, including new optical and electrical heart sensors. Apple says the combination delivers higher-frequency heart rate and heart rate variability measurements and powers a readiness score that indicates how prepared the body is for the day ahead. Series 12 comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes and starts at $399.

Photo: Apple

Case materials include aluminum finishes (dark bronze, black, light gold, and space gray), titanium (radiant gold and natural), and a returning ceramic option in pearl white and night blue. Aluminum models use Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass, which Apple says is 60 percent tougher than the Ion-X glass on prior aluminum models. Audio Intelligence features, including Live Rewind and related conversation tools, are scheduled to arrive later this year on watchOS 27, Apple said.

Photo: Apple

Photo: Apple

Apple Watch Ultra 4 also launches today from $799. It keeps the Ultra exterior in natural and black titanium and adds the same Health Sensing System and S11 chip as Series 12, including the readiness insights and higher-frequency heart sensing Apple highlights across the new lineup. Apple says Ultra 4 also gains longer battery life and faster charging versus the prior Ultra.

Photo: Apple

Techtember’s live iPhone 18 Pro launch-day piece covers store queues and Pro phone availability. This story is the wearables counterpart: AirPods 5 pricing and ANC, Series 12 health hardware and ceramic finishes, and Ultra 4’s same-day retail start.