The countdown to Apple’s September event has begun. Next Wednesday, September 9, the Cupertino-based company will hold its traditional fall keynote. While the media focus will undoubtedly be on the iPhone 18 Pro and the highly anticipated foldable phone, smartwatches will also take center stage. What we’re talking about… The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are both devices that will bring bigger changes than people initially expected, according to the latest leaks.
The information that has come to light in recent weeks, mainly from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, has unanimously stated that the exterior design will remain basically unchanged. But it’s not all bad news for those looking forward to a new car refresh. The interior will take a long-awaited leap, equipped with a new processor, bringing more powerful health functions and more powerful Siri. Let’s review everything we know so far.
The design isn’t unexpected, but it pays off in a very special way.
Sources consulted agreed: Apple Watch Series 12 will maintain the same rectangular appearance. We’ve seen this problem with recent generations of products. Mark Gurman warned back in March that there wouldn’t be any major design changes this year. Another Chinese tipster, Instant Digital, went even further, claiming that a major facelift won’t arrive until 2028 at the earliest. Therefore, those users who are looking forward to aesthetic innovation may have to wait a while longer.
However, one detail aroused great interest. According to Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly preparing… a Series 12 Special Edition with a ceramic case made of a material we haven’t seen in watches for generations. Two finishes are currently being considered: traditional white and dark grey, the latter of which is more in line with the range’s high-end aesthetic. The watch will be launched alongside existing aluminum and titanium cases, and every indication is that it will become the most expensive model in the series.
As for the straps, a number of new colors and combinations are expected, but there won’t be any changes to the way they connect. There’s also no sign of Touch ID functionality being added, although it was previously rumored to be included but never materialized. Gurman hasn’t found any conclusive evidence yet, so we’ll likely still be using a passcode or iPhone to unlock the watch.
S12 chip: a leap that took three years to build
This is undoubtedly the most striking aspect of the new generation. Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 continue to use the S10 chip, the same S9 chip found in Series 9. In other words, the performance of this watch has been stagnant for three years. This directly affects compatibility with watchOS 27, rendering some models that have only been on the market a few years unusable.
There are indications that Series 12 and Ultra 4 will be equipped with a new processor, which is likely to be named S12. In fact, some leaked internal code mentions the technical reference number T8320, confirming that this chip already exists. Apple may skip the S11 name entirely, as it did with the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. The reason may be to avoid using numbers, since the pronunciation of S11 is similar to a certain swear word in English.
This leap is mainly reflected in energy efficiency, and performance per watt will be significantly improved. This means longer battery life and the ability to run heavier tasks without increasing battery capacity. And the most important thing is: Siri AI is launched with watchOS 27 and requires powerful hardware support. For smooth operation. Older models with S9 or S10 chips are not included in this new experience.
Health: 24/7 heart rate sensor and new apps
According to leaked information, the biggest new features of this generation are related to health. Apple is reportedly testing a heart rate sensor that can continuously record data throughout the day, not just during workouts. This will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the user’s physical condition, providing indicators such as recovery, fatigue and daily exercise readiness.
This constant monitoring consumes energy, so Apple is reportedly working on a measurement system that doesn’t continuously emit light to avoid putting too much strain on the battery. The system will complement traditional measurement methods, taking measurements during peak periods of user activity. If Apple can pull this off without sacrificing battery life, it would be one of the most useful health improvements in recent years.
In addition to the new sensor, Apple will also overhaul its health and fitness apps. The goal is to… Show overall health metrics, not just exercise metrics Similar to popular apps like Whoop and Oura, this means users can clearly see a score on how their body responds to stress, whether they’re getting enough rest, or if they should take a day off before their next workout.
Screen, battery and price: expected performance
Regarding the display, no major changes are expected in terms of size and bezels. Apple is expected to keep the same dimensions as the Series 11, but may increase the peak brightness to be closer to the 3,000 nits of the Apple Watch Ultra. They will also work to improve the energy efficiency of LTPO panels, thereby extending battery life without the need for larger batteries.
As for battery life, everyone’s expectations are quite satisfactory. The battery life of the Series 11 has been significantly improved compared to its predecessor, so major upgrades are not expected. However, the more efficient chip and optimized screen should result in slightly longer battery life in daily use. There are no rumors about a larger battery capacity yet, so everything depends on the power management capabilities of the new processor.
The price will remain the same as the Series 11, with the base model starting at 449 euros. However, tariffs and currency fluctuations may result in price adjustments during the initial launch period. If the ceramic version is finalized, it will be the most expensive version of the series, like previous generations.
What to look forward to at the event on September 9th
Apple will hold a keynote speech at the Apple campus in Cupertino. This will be the first conference since John Turners took over as the new CEO after Tim Cook left. In addition to the Apple Watch, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are also expected to be released, as well as the company’s first foldable phone. The release dates of iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and other operating systems will also be announced at this conference.
Regarding watches, information shows: Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 will be equipped with a new S12 chip, an all-weather heart rate sensor and ceramic case options. The design won’t change, but performance and health features will take a leap that could revolutionize Apple’s product line. The question is whether Apple can maintain battery life while continuously monitoring it, something that won’t be known until the first batch of reviews is released.
Finally, we can’t forget that blood sugar is still a concern, but not something to worry about this year. According to Gurman, glucose sensor technology is still in the miniaturization stage and won’t be available until 2027 at the earliest. So, now we just have to wait and see what news the keynote brings and whether these leaks are true.
Considering all the above factors, the update focus of Apple Watch Series 12 is more on the internals than the externals. A new chip, continuous heart rate monitoring and the addition of Siri AI are the three pillars of Apple’s next-generation smartwatch. If the leaked information is true, we’ll be looking at a watch with improved internal performance while the external design remains the same, setting the stage for a major redesign in 2027 or 2028. We’ll have to wait until September 9 to find out.
