Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?

The Apple Watch Series 12 has finally arrived, marking a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Series 10. Released two years after the Series 10 introduced the current slim design, the Series 12 brings a host of improvements, including a new chip, increased RAM, redesigned health sensors, and exclusive features. Priced at $399, it is priced the same as the Series 10 when it launched in 2024. The Series 10, however, has been discontinued, though it may still be found on the secondary market.

The most notable changes between the Series 10 and Series 12 are in the hardware and features. The Series 12 is powered by the S11 chip, compared to the S10 chip in the older model. RAM has doubled from 2GB to 4GB, and the health sensors have been upgraded. The Series 12 now features a third-generation optical heart sensor, a fourth-generation always-on optical heart sensor, and periodic background heart rate tracking.

It also includes a high-frequency background heart rate tracking every five seconds, as well as more comprehensive health metrics such as HRV and overall HRV, measured up to 24 times more frequently.

Apple has also introduced new features like the Vitals app, which provides heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, and sleep duration, along with HRV and overall HRV. The series also offers a day-long readiness score and a redesigned pedometer model for more accurate step tracking. Additionally, the Series 12 boasts a more durable cover glass, with Ion-X front glass for aluminum models, and Ceramic Shield for 60% tougher protection on aluminum configurations.

Battery life has also seen improvements, with the Series 12 offering up to 24 hours of normal use, up from 18 hours on the Series 10. Charging times have also been reduced, with a quick 15-minute charge providing up to 8 hours of normal use on the Series 12, compared to 15 minutes for up to 10 hours on the Series 10. The Series 12 is also available in new materials, including Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver, Dark Bronze, Light Gold, and Titanium, with various case colors such as Pearl White, Night Blue, and Hermès options.

Despite these enhancements, the Series 12 retains many of the design elements of its predecessor, including the 42mm and 46mm size options, a 9.7mm-thick case, and a 416 x 496 pixel display area with 2% less active display space. The Series 12 is also slightly wider and heavier, with aluminum and titanium configurations weighing between 39.5 and 44.9 grams, and the 42mm models weighing between 29.3 and 36.5 grams.

In summary, the Series 12 offers a substantial upgrade over the Series 10, particularly for those focused on health and fitness tracking. With improved health sensors, more advanced features, and better battery life, the Series 12 is a compelling option for existing Series 10 users. However, for those satisfied with their current device, the differences are relatively minor, and an upgrade may not be necessary.