Apple Watch Series 12: Familiar Design, Different Everywhere Else

Apple has unveiled its latest Apple Watch Series 12 alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4, new iPhone 18 models and the foldable iPhone Duo at its September launch event. While the new watch retains the familiar Apple Watch design, Apple has upgraded its internal hardware, introducing a new S11 processor and reengineered health sensors.

These enhancements offer improved heart rate accuracy, deeper recovery insights, and an AI-powered Audio Intelligence feature capable of playing back, transcribing, and saving crucial conversations.

The most significant change is the unchanged price, with the Series 12 starting at $399 and the Ultra 4 at $799. The S11 chip, which Apple has used for the first time, delivers a faster GPU, CPU, and neural engine, potentially benefiting WatchOS 27, which introduces the AI-powered Siri to the Apple Watch. However, some lag may be present due to the software still being in beta.

Apple's new Readiness app consolidates biometric signals from sleep, stress, and recovery to provide a snapshot of the body's preparedness for the day. Additionally, WatchOS 27 brings AI insights and biometrics to the Health app, offering daily summaries and personalized health recommendations. The watch also features a redesigned health app, a VO2 max test using phone cameras, and the option to include blood test results through an order directly from the app.

In terms of aesthetics, the Series 12 comes in black, silver, gold, and a new bronze aluminum finish, while maintaining its rectangular, all-screen display. It is available in ceramic, aluminum, and titanium options, with new band styles and colors. The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399 for the 42mm aluminum Wi-Fi model and is currently available for preorder.

Despite primarily being an incremental update, the Series 12 offers enough improvements to warrant an upgrade, particularly for users transitioning from older models.