Apple has announced the Apple Watch Series 12, its latest wearable designed to deliver more precise health monitoring and new intelligent features. Central to the update is the Health Sensing System, powered by the new S11 chip, which provides continuous, high-frequency heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. This system enables enhanced health insights, including a readiness score that evaluates a user’s daily physical capacity based on recent activity, sleep, and vital signs.
The Series 12 watch offers the most accurate heart rate sensing among wearables, supported by a study involving over 1,000 participants. It measures heart rate every five seconds using upgraded optical sensors, improving fitness tracking and real-time monitoring. HRV is now tracked up to 24 times more frequently, offering deeper understanding of stress and recovery.
Alongside health improvements, the watch introduces Audio Intelligence features that help users stay aware of important sounds and recall conversations. These include Sound Recognition alerts for critical noises, Live Rewind to review recent conversation snippets, and Siri Recap to summarize discussions. These features emphasize user privacy by processing audio locally on the device without storing recordings.
The Apple Watch Series 12 also benefits from longer workout battery life, faster charging, and the most accurate step tracking available on a smartwatch. The redesigned Health app on iPhone will provide a holistic view of long-term health trends, including a new Longevity tab and Health Age metric.
With watchOS 27, the device supports an updated Siri AI that offers improved personal context understanding and access to broad knowledge, enhancing the watch’s role as a smart companion.
Available in multiple materials including aluminum, titanium, and ceramic, the Apple Watch Series 12 introduces new finishes and band options. It is available for pre-order now, with retail availability starting September 18, starting at $399 in the U.S.
This release underscores Apple’s ongoing focus on integrating advanced health technologies and intelligent features into wearables, aiming to provide users with actionable health insights and enhanced daily assistance while maintaining strong privacy protections.