Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 bring five new health features

Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 introduce five health features as part of a wider Health app update announced alongside the iPhone Duo at Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event.

The Health app can use an Apple Watch paired with an iPhone camera for full-body assessments. These measure VO2 max, flexibility, strength, balance, and movement mechanics through a coach-guided workout. Apple says VO2 max measurement requires an Apple Watch, AirPods Pro 3, or a third-party heart-rate sensor.

Health Age arrives in the Health app’s Longevity tab, combining health-profile factors into a score that compares metrics with average health and fitness levels for a user’s age and gender. Garmin and Whoop already offer comparable Fitness Age and Whoop Age features.

Both watches also have new LED sensor arrays and larger green LEDs. Apple says the sensors can measure heart rate as often as every five seconds and improve heart-rate and heart-rate variability (HRV) measurements.

The Readiness Score uses Vitals, Sleep Score, recent activity, and other metrics to give a score from 0-10. The Insights tab provides timely summaries covering heart, sleep, readiness, fitness, vitals, and cycle tracking, plus personalized recommendations in “For You.”