Apple's new AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are all available to pre-order today and will launch next week, on Friday 18th September.

The three wearables were unveiled during Apple's 'Surprise and Shine' September event, which also debuted new iPhone models including the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo.

Here's everything you need to know about today's releases:

What's new with AirPods 5?

AirPods 5

AirPods 5 are a major improvement over the previous generation, bringing Pro-level features to the cheaper model.

Available in two configurations, you can buy the cheaper versions without a wireless charging case and touch controls, or spend just £20 extra for more gestures, MagSafe and Find My support on the case.

Active Noise Cancellation

Both models now have active noise cancellation (ANC), which was previously limited to the more expensive AirPods 4 ANC and AirPods Pro models.

Apple also says that the ANC on AirPods 5 is up to 1.5x better than the previous generation, which reviewers already said was very good.

Listening Modes

Apple's listening modes have finally trickled down to the base model AirPods, with support for:

  • Transparency mode
  • Adaptive Audio
  • Conversation Awareness

Live Translation

Previously a Pro-only feature, AirPods 5 now support Live Translation. This is a feature which allows you to speak to someone who doesn't speak your language, as AirPods will pick up their words and feed them back to you in your preferred language.

Volume Swipe

On the wireless charging case model, you can swipe the stem of the AirPod to adjust the volume level, a capability which was also previously exclusive to the AirPods Pro.

This is not on the cheaper model however, which remains with just the Force Touch gestures to pause, play and skip content.

Pricing

  • AirPods 5 - £119
  • AirPods 5 with wireless charging case - £139

New to Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4

Apples new Apple Watch models are centred around AI and heart health, with a new S11 chip that speeds up Siri AI, brings a new always-on heart rate sensor and new Readiness app that provides you will a score based on overnight vitals.

S11

The S11 is the first new processor to the Apple Watch since the S10 was introduced in 2024 with the Apple Watch Series 10. Apple reused this chip in the Series 11 last year, annoyingly putting the numbers out of sync, finally introducing the S11 to the Series 12.

Apple says the S11 is derived from the new A20 Pro, the company's new flagship A-Series chip, and says it has an always-on processor inside.

Heart Rate Updates

The S11's always-on processor enables the new always-on heart rate sensor, that now records heart rate every 5 seconds. This sensor has allowed for a live heart rate widget option on your watch face, in addition to a new live step counter metric that you can also pin to your watch face.

Apple Watch Series 12 is claimed to have the 'most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable', according to Apple's keynote and the heart rate app on the new watches has been redesigned to reflect recent changes.

Readiness App

The new readiness app provides you with a readiness score in the morning, that adjusts throughout the day, telling you if you should push or hold back. It has been designed to take a look at your vitals, training load and overall health to detect whether you should take a rest day, or go for it during the day.

This requires 7 days of usage, so it will take a week after use to show up.

Daytime Vitals

Apple has updated the vitals app with a daytime view on Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 so you can check them as they change throughout the day.

This feature launched a couple of years ago, and was previously limited to overnight when you wore your watch in sleep mode, to bed.

Ceramic Shield 2

Ceramic Shield 2 is now used on the front glass of the aluminium Series 12, for better durability and scratch resistance. The titanium models, and new ceramic models use a stronger sapphire crystal.

New AI capabilities

Apple introduces a suite of new AI features for the Apple Watch, such as Siri Recap, Audio Intelligence and Live Rewind.

Live Rewind is enabled by double-clicking the Digital Crown, which then shows a transcript of what was said in the past 15 seconds. Apple showed a demo of this when a customer couldn't remember what specials the waitress had just listed.

Siri Recap takes notes of your conversation for you to look over later if you missed anything, and does not store these recordings and is end-to-end encrypted for both user and others’ privacy.

There is also a New Siri modular watch face, but this is available to all Apple Watch models running watchOS 27.

Apple Watch Series 12 Prices

  • Aluminium 42mm - £369
  • Aluminium 46mm - £419
  • Titanium 42mm - £649
  • Titanium 46mm - £699
  • Ceramic 42mm - £849
  • Ceramic 46mm - £899

Apple Watch Ultra 4 Prices

  • £749

Watch Bands

Apple has introduced new colours to a variety of its watch bands, including updates to its Nike collection, Hermès collection and other offerings. Watch bands start from £49, with some textile options from £99. This will push up the price of your Apple Watch if you add a more expensive band.