Next Wednesday, September 9, Apple will hold its traditional autumn new product launch. In addition to the highly anticipated iPhone 18 Pro and the first foldable iPhone, the new Apple Watch will also be unveiled. Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 They will be the main focus on the wrist, although leaks suggest… The exterior design will remain largely unchanged. …It follows the familiar rectangular shape from the previous generation. The real transformation, therefore, lies not on the outside, but on the inside.
These rumors, mostly driven by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, agree: The update will focus on the processor and health features. The new S12 chip is expected to break the three-year situation of no substantial improvement in performance, and the all-weather continuous heart rate monitoring function is expected to completely change our understanding of daily health conditions. Below, we review everything we know so far.
Design and Materials: Ceramics are back
Sources agree: there will be no major facelift this year. Mark Gurman made this clear back in March. There are no major changes to the Series 12 design. Other tipsters, such as Instant Digital, believe that this major facelift will not arrive until 2028 at the earliest. The rectangular appearance, screen size, and existing straps will remain the same, but some new color schemes will be available.
The only notable physical change will be… a ceramic case back… a material not seen since the Apple Watch Series 5 in 2019. According to the leaked information, Apple will offer it in two color options: white and dark gray. This brings back a high-end configuration that was once one of the most expensive options in the catalog. Additionally, the introduction of Touch ID has been ruled out for now, although this rumor has been circulating for some time but Gurman has never confirmed it.
Performance: S12 chip, three years later
This is one of the most interesting parts, even if it’s not the most visually striking. The Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 still use the S10 chip, which is actually the S9 processor launching in 2023. That means the watch’s performance has been stagnant for three years, and Apple may change that with the new S12 chip.
The leak suggests that this new processor will exist under the codename T8320. This will represent a significant increase in efficiency and performance. This advancement not only improves battery life, but also provides enough processing power for the Siri AI included in watchOS 27 to run smoothly. Compatibility with the new operating system already excludes previous models, confirming that this chip marks the beginning of a new era for Apple Watch.
Health: Continuous heart rate monitoring and updated apps
The most important new health feature is undoubtedly the continuous heart rate monitoring. Currently, Apple Watch only continuously records heart rate during exercise; the rest of the time, it measures in intervals. Series 12 is expected to implement this functionality. The sensor is working 24 hours a day. Utilizing low-energy technology, data can be collected permanently without the need to emit light.
This continuous monitoring will be accompanied by a comprehensive upgrade of health and fitness apps. The goal is to: Provide indicators related to overall well-being not only through sports, but also taking a page from apps like Whoop or Oura. This results in a health score similar to a sleep score, but more comprehensive, showing whether we are tired, stressed out or at our best.
Autonomy, price and availability
Regarding the battery, there are currently no rumors that Apple will increase the physical size of the battery. The improvement in battery life will benefit from the higher energy efficiency of the S12 chip and a more optimized LTPO display, which may bring a few extra hours of use every day. While this isn’t a revolutionary leap, it’s certainly a welcome improvement for the most demanding users.
As for price, leaked news indicates that the starting price of Apple Watch Series 12 will remain around 449 euros. However, rising component costs may cause the price to rise to 499 euros in some markets. The product is set to launch on September 9, with the first batch expected to arrive in stores within a few days of the launch.
Finally, it should be noted that Apple has not officially confirmed these features. These rumors come from Mark Gurman and other analysts, and their reports are often very accurate. With the launch event approaching, in less than a week, all the rumors will become reality, and we will see if the Apple Watch Series 12 lives up to expectations, or if Apple will surprise us again.
