Apple Watch Series 12 one week later: There’s so much more than meets the eye

When Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12, there were two standout features: the new Siri Recap and an improved heart rate monitor. However, there's so much more to this latest iteration than initially meets the eye. While the battery life may not have been explicitly mentioned on Apple's website, it certainly feels like it lasts longer when compared to the Series 11.

In fact, I've noticed that I've stopped using the WHOOP for sleep tracking after making the switch to the Series 12, as the built-in feature is now seamless.

One noticeable improvement is the charging time. Apple claims that just 15 minutes of charging can provide up to 12 hours of usage, which is a significant improvement in convenience. The new S11 chip, derived from the A20 Pro's 2nm design, is a major contributor to the enhanced battery life. The Series 12 feels faster overall, particularly when using Siri.

Additionally, Apple has added a proper step counter as a complication, which I appreciate seeing in my smart stack. It would be great if this feature could be available on older Apple Watches as well.

Another noteworthy addition is the Readiness app, which offers a comprehensive overview of how well you're doing based on your sleep, activity, and vital signs from the previous day. This feature is reminiscent of the recovery score on WHOOP, and I find it quite valuable. Although it's exclusive to the Series 12, it makes sense that Apple wouldn't include it without accurate data.

Lastly, the Ceramic Shield 2 on the aluminum models of the Series 12 provides better scratch resistance compared to previous iterations. While I haven't owned it long enough to fully test this, my watch appears to be holding up exceptionally well. Overall, the Apple Watch Series 12 represents a substantial upgrade, offering additional functionality beyond just a cosmetic change. If you're looking for a watch that does more, the Series 12 is certainly worth considering.