Apple Watch Series 12 Launch: Key Features and Pricing Explained

Apple has introduced its latest flagship smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 12, at a recent product unveiling event held on September 9. Alongside the launch of various devices including the new iPhone 18 Pro, Apple showcased the advancements in the Series 12 as a significant update in health and fitness technology. Kaiann Drance, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, described the Series 12 as 'the most advanced health and fitness companion we’ve ever created.' Despite its advanced features, the external design of the Series 12 remains nearly identical to its predecessor, the Series 11.

Pricing for the Series 12 begins at $399 for the 42mm aluminium model, matching the initial cost of the Series 11. The price for the larger 46mm model has increased to $449, up by $20 compared to last year. The titanium versions of the Series 12 maintain the same pricing as the Series 11, starting at $699 and $749 for the 42mm and 46mm models, respectively. Notably, a new ceramic variant is introduced, which has not been available in previous models, priced at $899 for 42mm and $949 for 46mm.

The external design has not seen significant changes, as the appearance has remained consistent since the 2024 Series 10 release. The Series 12 continues to offer dust and water resistance, rated at IP6X and capable of withstanding submersion in water up to 50 metres. However, the Series 12 features a new and improved Ceramic Shield 2 glass, which Apple asserts is 60 percent more robust than the Ion-X glass found in the Series 11.

Both models share the same high-visibility always-on OLED display, with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. The colour options for the Series 12 aluminium case include Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, and Space Grey, while the titanium models present Radiant Gold and Natural shades. The ceramic case offers new colours, Pearl White and Night Blue, in contrast to the Series 11, which had fewer options.

Significant internal differences are also present. The Series 12 is powered by the new S11 chip, which Apple claims to be their most powerful wearable chip to date. This upgrade enables several new functionalities. Remarkably, a report from MacRumors indicates that the Series 12 features double the memory of its predecessor, with 4GB compared to the 2GB in the Series 11. Despite the rising costs of RAM, Apple has maintained similar pricing for the Series 12.

Storage capacity remains unchanged at 64GB across both models, and both offer 5G cellular connectivity—a $100 upgrade for aluminium models but standard in titanium and ceramic versions. Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours per charge, with an extended usage time of up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. Notably, the Series 12 boasts improved charging speeds, where a 15-minute charge can provide up to 12 hours of typical usage, compared to 8 hours from the Series 11.

The Series 12 introduces a new Health Sensing System that enhances heart rate monitoring with upgraded sensors, allowing continuous heart rate tracking every five seconds. It also provides heart rate variability (HRV) data, significantly increasing the frequency of measurements.

In terms of software, both the Series 12 and Series 11 operate on watchOS and feature numerous health and safety functionalities, including Sleep Score and Fall Detection, among others. However, the Series 12 offers exclusive new features powered by its enhanced chip and sensors, such as readiness assessments for fitness based on user activity and health data, as well as improved audio intelligence functionalities.

The Series 12 is available to preorder now, and it will be interesting to see whether the enhancements justify an upgrade for current Series 11 users. A detailed review of the Series 12 is anticipated soon, providing further insights into its capabilities and practical applications.