{
  "id": 8024649,
  "title": "I’ve worn the Apple Watch Series 12 for a week — the biggest changes are underneath",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/ive-worn-the-apple-watch-series-12-for-a-week-the-biggest-changes-are",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-17T12:02:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/ive-worn-the-apple-watch-series-12-for-a-week-the-biggest-changes-are-underneath"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12 on September 9, 2026, at its \"Surprise and shine\" event. This new mid-range Apple Watch, positioned between the SE third-gen and Ultra 4, doesn't drastically change in appearance from its predecessor, the Series 11. However, it introduces a redesigned rear housing part of a new health-sensing system, a new SoC (System on a Chip) for supporting new features, and AI capabilities powered by watchOS 27. The watch comes in two sizes: 44mm and 46mm, and retains the Always-On OLED display with a curved edge.\n\nThe new Series 12 utilizes a Secure Enclave and an always-on processor section on the S11 chip, improving heart rate variability (HRV) and real-time heart rate tracking. This advancement allows the Apple Watch to monitor HRV and heart rate whether the app is open or displayed as a complication, and speeds up pedometer performance for faster step tracking.\n\nOne of the most significant improvements in the Series 12 is Readiness, Apple's new feature that contextualizes all data in a Vitals experience. After a week of wear, the watch calculates a Readiness Score, providing insights into overall health and wellness. While the watch maintains a similar design to the Series 11, the back houses a new health-sensing system with electrodes and diodes arranged in a sundial-like layout. The green LED in this system is more efficient at obtaining readings.\n\nApple retains compatibility with all previous bands, and the watch still sits comfortably on the wrist without protruding excessively. The new chip, a derivative of the A20 Pro, enables improved sampling rates and faster performance for various features. The Series 12 also introduces AI functionalities like Sound Recognition, faster Shazam, Live Rewind, and Siri Recap. These features, initially available in beta form in the U.S., represent Apple's push to make the Apple Watch more than just an activity and health tracker, but also an AI-powered wearable.",
  "summary": "The Apple Watch Series 12 isn’t a radical redesign, but new health-tracking capabilities, faster processing, and AI features make this more than a spec bump.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "TechSpot",
        "title": "Apple iOS 27 is draining iPhone batteries faster, but it should be temporary",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/apple-ios-27-is-draining-iphone-batteries-faster-but-it-should-be",
        "published": "2026-09-17T11:58:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TechRadar",
        "title": "Finally, Readiness score comes to Apple Watch — Apple explains how it works and why now was the ‘right time’ to launch it",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/finally-readiness-score-comes-to-apple-watch-apple-explains-how-it",
        "published": "2026-09-17T12:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Verge",
        "title": "The Apple Watch Series 12 is the start of a new wearable era",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/the-apple-watch-series-12-is-the-start-of-a-new-wearable-era",
        "published": "2026-09-17T12:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Mac",
        "title": "Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 review: More personal than ever before",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/apple-watch-series-12-and-ultra-4-review-more-personal-than-ever",
        "published": "2026-09-17T12:00:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MacRumors",
        "title": "Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Reviews: Look Out, Oura Ring",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/apple-watch-series-12-and-ultra-4-reviews-look-out-oura-ring",
        "published": "2026-09-17T14:23:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}