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Apple’siPhone 18, AirPods 5 and Apple Watch Series 12 officially hit shelves today, and if you’re trying to decide whether it’s time to upgrade — or which items actually make sense for you — I’ve got you covered. I’m breaking down everything you need to know about this newest lineup, from what’s actually different to pricing and availability.
Apple’s latest launches
The AirPods 5 deliver up to 1.5 times more active noise cancellation than the previous generation and are powered by a new H2 chip. They also have dynamic head tracking, adaptive audio to switch between noise cancelling and transparency mode, depending on your environment. Similar to other AirPod models, they also have IP57 rating for dust, sweat, and water resistance.
On the software side, they offer hands-free access to the new Siri AI and real-time Live Translation. Battery life is up to four hours with ANC with the base model, or five hours (22 total with the case) with the USB-C Wireless Charging Case option, which also supports Qi and Apple Watch charging.
NBC Selected senior editor Shalwah Evans tried out the AirPods 5 after receiving a pair from the brand and immediately noticed that the open earbuds fit more comfortably than previous models. “I was pleasantly surprised that these pods with no rubber tip didn’t budge,” she says. “I also love how crisp the ambient sound is when ANC is turned off, which is a huge plus for when I’m walking my dog and need to be aware of my surroundings crossing busy streets.”
The new AirPods 5 start at $129 and are available now.
The new iPhone 18 Pro holds onto its familiar silhouette, but the real story is underneath. Both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max (also available today) now run on Apple’s new A20 Pro chip paired with a redesigned vapor chamber that Apple says delivers up to 40 percent better sustained performance than last year’s model. The camera system gets a meaningful bump too, with a 48-megapixel main camera that now features variable aperture, letting the lens physically adjust for sharper low-light shots and more control over depth. This marks the first time that technology has appeared on an iPhone.
The biggest difference between the two models is screen size — 6.3 inches on the Pro versus 6.9 inches on the Max — and battery life, which Apple is calling the largest leap in iPhone history. Under Apple’s “typical use” metric, the Pro is rated for up to 24 hours per charge, while the Max stretches to 30 hours. Both phones also charge faster than before, reaching 50 percent in about 15 minutes with a compatible adapter.
In terms of pricing, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, a $100 increase from the previous model, while the Pro Max starts at $1,299. Both phones are available for purchase now.
The Apple Watch Series 12 centers on a completely reworked Health Sensing System, powered by the new S11 chip. Larger, more power-efficient green LEDs let the optical and electrical sensors work harder in the background — taking heart rate readings every five seconds and measuring heart rate variability up to 24 times more often than the Series 11, according to Apple. That stream of data feeds directly into a new Readiness score: a single number, calculated each morning from your recent activity, vitals and sleep, meant to tell you at a glance how much you can take on that day.
The design has gotten an upgrade too. It’s available in eight finishes, including two ceramic options in Pearl White and Night Blue, and the aluminum models now use Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says is 60 percent tougher than the previous Ion-X glass.
Beyond health tracking, Series 12 leans into AI with new Siri-powered features, including Live Rewind, which lets you replay the last 15 seconds of audio you just missed, and Siri Recap, which generates quick summaries of conversations picked up by the watch’s microphone (a feature you program and can customize). It keeps the familiar 42mm and 46mm case sizes, along with standard safety staples like Fall Detection and Emergency SOS, and is rated WR50 and IP6X for water and dust resistance.
It starts at $399 — the same price as the Series 11 — and is available now.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is built around the same S11 chip and redesigned Health Sensing System as the Series 12, but tuned for endurance athletes and outdoor use. Battery life gets a major boost too: Apple rates it for up to 50 hours of everyday use, up to 18 hours of standard workout tracking with full GPS and heart rate monitoring, and up to 45 hours in a new Max Extended Workout mode — enough to cover a 100-mile race. It’s available in two titanium finishes, natural and black, and retains the built-in satellite communications that let wearers stay connected off the grid.
Like the Series 12, the Ultra 4 also has Siri AI and Audio Intelligence features powered by the S11 chip, plus the ability to start a request on iPhone and pick it up seamlessly on the watch. It keeps the rugged design and precision dual-frequency GPS that have defined the Ultra line. Pricing holds steady at $799, the same as the Ultra 3, and it can be purchased now.
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Why trust NBC Selected?
I am a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers wellness, lifestyle and more. I have written about the “no-touch” phone law, the best screen protectors and more. For this story, I researched all of Apple’s new offerings and watched their announcement event.
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