Here’s why I upgraded from the Apple Watch Series 10 to Series 12

I am not someone who typically upgrades my Apple Watch immediately when a new model is released. My previous Apple Watch Series 10 had only been purchased this January, even though it was officially launched in September 2024. However, the Apple Watch Series 12 proved to be a highly compelling purchase, despite sharing a similar design language with its predecessor. This upgrade was primarily due to the intriguing features offered by the Series 12.

Firstly, the bezels on the Series 12 are slightly thicker, which might seem like a regression from the Series 10. Yet, this didn't bother me as I primarily use a watch face with a black background. Nonetheless, the new features of the Series 12 were truly enticing. The improved heart-rate monitor and the introduction of the 'Readiness' app were two major factors that caught my attention.

Additionally, everything on the Series 12 felt significantly faster, particularly Siri. Previous Apple Watches had never quite met my expectations when it came to health tracking, but the Series 12 provided much more comprehensive insights.

Before upgrading, my health tracking experience was limited to activity rings and scattered data in the Health app. With the Series 12, the new Health app delivers a comprehensive overview of vital health information in a highly useful format. Although I still wear my WHOOP for comparison purposes, the Apple Watch Series 12's health tracking features now hold up quite well.

Moreover, the WHOOP subscription costs $239 per year, and its offerings have become increasingly similar to Apple Health. Ultimately, my purchase of the Apple Watch Series 12 signifies the Apple Watch's significant advancement in becoming a serious health wearable. It is no longer an afterthought.