MacRumors reports that new features have been confirmed from the developer beta versions of watchOS27 and iOS27 for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, which are expected to be announced at an event that Apple will hold from 2:00 a.m. on September 10, 2026, Japan time.
The new features are mainly related to healthcare, but there is also the possibility of increasing storage capacity.
New apps, sensors, and more storage space
Based on information posted on the MacRumors forum, here are the new features likely to be available for Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
- Addition of “Readiness” app
- Strengthen your strength training records
- Equipped with new optical sensor “Sunstone4p0”
- Storage capacity increased to 128GB
“Readiness” app
Since the “Readiness” app is placed next to the workout app, MacRumors speculates that it will provide related “readiness” and “recovery” functions.
This could be an app that records and analyzes your physical condition before a workout and your recovery status after a workout, allowing you to check your readiness for the next training session.
The current Apple Watch can also acquire multiple health data such as heart rate, sleep, and biosignals, so it is possible to have a function that combines them to show the condition of the body.
Strengthen your strength training records
Another thing we’ve seen is a significant expansion of data structures related to strength training. A mechanism has been added to the code that allows you to record the number of reps per set, the weight, the equipment used, which side of the body was used, the duration of the exercise, and more.
Although it is currently not possible to create this data from the app, this may be in preparation for future workout enhancements.
When combined with the “Readiness” app, we can expect it to develop into a system that integrally manages the content of strength training and recovery status.
new optical sensor
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are rumored to have improved high blood pressure pattern notifications with improved accuracy.
This may be realized by the optical sensor “Sunstone4p0” that may be newly installed.
This optical sensor not only improves the accuracy of detecting biological signals, but also incorporates a mechanism to switch to the optimal sensing method depending on how the Apple Watch is worn.
For example, we can consider a mechanism that compensates for differences in measurement conditions depending on whether the Apple Watch is worn on the left or right wrist or on which side the Digital Crown is placed.
If these improvements are realized, it is expected that they will not only improve the accuracy of measuring heart rate and other biological information, but also improve the accuracy of high blood pressure notifications.
“Sunstone4p0” may be featured as a “4th generation optical heart rate sensor.”
Storage capacity doubled to 128GB
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 may increase storage capacity to 128GB.
If realized, it would double the 64GB of Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
The reason for the increase in storage capacity is unknown, but it may be due to the increase in storage capacity for the new watch face, “Readiness” app, healthcare-related data, etc. installed in watchOS27.
Furthermore, if the updated version of Siri and Apple Intelligence-related functions operate on Apple Watch, the data and executable files required for them are likely to be a factor in the increase in capacity.
If the price of NAND flash memory is soaring, Apple probably has a clear reason for doubling its storage capacity.
New S series chip
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected to be equipped with a new system-in-package (SiP) S-series chip.
The chip name is expected to be S11 or S12, and there is a possibility that it will be named “S12” to match Apple Watch Series 12.
The new S series chips are expected to improve processing performance and power efficiency, and are expected to contribute to the operation of new features added in watchOS27.
If we can reduce power consumption, we can expect to extend battery life by reducing battery capacity and display power consumption.
Source: MacRumors
Photo: Apple Hub/Facebook, Apple
Source: iPhone Mania
