Apple has introduced the Apple Watch Series 12, featuring a new Health Sensing System, upgraded heart-rate monitoring, a daily readiness score and a suite of artificial intelligence-powered features designed to make the smartwatch a more comprehensive health and fitness companion.
Powered by Apple’s new S11 chip, the Series 12 offers higher-frequency heart rate and heart rate variability, or HRV, measurements. Apple says the redesigned system provides its most accurate heart-rate sensing in a wearable to date, following a study involving more than 1,000 participants.
The watch can now measure heart rate every five seconds throughout the day, while HRV measurements are taken up to 24 times more frequently. Users will also be able to view daytime and overnight vital signs to better understand changes in stress, recovery and overall health.
New readiness score evaluates daily recovery
Among the biggest additions is a new Readiness feature, which analyzes recent activity, training load, vital signs and sleep data to provide a daily assessment of a user’s physical capacity.
The feature generates a score from zero to 10 and provides one of four recommendations: Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready or Go For It. The score can change throughout the day as the watch receives new information from workouts and health measurements.
Improved battery life and faster charging
Apple Watch Series 12 continues to provide up to 24 hours of battery life for everyday use, while outdoor workout battery life has increased to as much as 10 hours — 25 per cent more than the previous model.
Charging has also been accelerated, with Apple saying a 15-minute charge can provide up to 12 additional hours of battery life.
Apple has also redesigned its pedometer system using new machine-learning algorithms. The company says the changes improve step counting throughout the day and distance measurements during indoor walking and running workouts.
Health app gets major redesign
The Health app on iPhone is also being revamped with Apple Intelligence. A new Insights tab will highlight relevant health information, while a Longevity section will analyze longer-term health trends.
The Longevity tab includes a Health Age feature that compares certain health metrics with a user’s actual age.
In the United States, users will also be able to schedule and purchase laboratory testing covering more than 50 biomarkers through the Health app at approximately 2,000 Quest Diagnostics locations. The service is priced at US$119.
Audio Intelligence brings new AI capabilities
Apple is also introducing Audio Intelligence, a collection of features designed to help users recognize important sounds and recall information from conversations.
Sound Recognition can alert users to noises such as sirens, alarms, doorbells or a baby crying. Live Rewind can display the previous 15 seconds of a conversation as text, while Siri Recap can generate brief summaries and key points from conversations for users to review later.
The watch can also automatically identify nearby music through Shazam and display the song and artist information.
Apple says the Audio Intelligence system was developed with privacy protections at its core. The features do not create or retain audio recordings, according to the company, while audio processing takes place in a hardware-isolated section of the S11 chip before the raw audio is deleted.
Users can choose whether to enable individual Audio Intelligence features, while Live Rewind produces an audible chime and displays an on-screen indicator when activated.
Siri AI comes to the wrist
With watchOS 27, the Series 12 will also support a new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. Apple says the assistant will be able to understand personal context and draw on broader world knowledge, allowing users to continue AI-powered interactions directly from their wrist.
Other watchOS 27 additions include a dynamic app grid, a new one-handed tap gesture, Smart Stack suggestions, expanded Cycle Tracking support for perimenopause and menopause, and improvements to Workout Buddy.
New colours, materials and bands
Apple Watch Series 12 will be offered in 42mm and 46mm sizes. Aluminum versions will be available in dark bronze, black, light gold and space gray, while titanium models will come in radiant gold and natural titanium.
Apple is also introducing a ceramic Series 12 in pearl white and night blue, along with new Sport Band, Sport Loop and Nike band colours. The Apple Watch Hermès Series 12 will also be offered in radiant gold titanium for the first time.
Apple says the Series 12 is made with 40 per cent recycled material overall, including 100 per cent recycled aluminum in aluminum cases and 100 per cent recycled titanium in its 3D-printed titanium cases.
Apple Watch Series 12 is available for pre-order now, with general availability beginning Friday, September 18.
