Apple Watch Series 12 keeps the Series 11 look but changes what is underneath

TechRadar’s Jacob Krol has worn the Apple Watch Series 12 for a week after switching from an Ultra 3 or Series 11. Unveiled at Apple’s September 9, 2026 event, the new model looks much like the Series 11 but adds a redesigned rear health-sensing system and a new chip.

The watch is available with Ceramic, Titanium, or Aluminum cases and 44mm or 46mm displays. Its Always-On OLED remains close to the edges, while existing bands still work. The rear sensor layout uses new electrode and diode positions, along with a more efficient green LED.

The S11 chip, described as a derivative of the A20 Pro in design and components, uses a Secure Enclave and an always-on processor section. This enables continuous HRV and real-time heart-rate tracking, while also improving step tracking. Readiness Score, part of the upgraded Vitals experience, generally needs seven nights of wear to calculate.

Sound Recognition and faster Shazam are available now. Live Rewind and Siri Recap are planned for later this year, initially as beta features in the U.S. Live Rewind uses a rolling 15-second buffer to capture and transcribe recent conversation. Krol says more testing is needed before judging their impact. The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, £369, or AU$649 and begins shipping September 18, 2026.