The launch of the Apple Watch Series 12 is scheduled for September 2026, with its presentation scheduled for an Apple event next week, alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Expectations are high for three new features that should debut on the model.
New S-line processor for improved performance
Apple doesn’t tend to introduce major updates to its S series chips very often, even changing the numbering annually. Significant CPU improvements are rare; the previous year, for example, the company kept the S10 chip without launching an S11.
However, recent rumors point to the arrival of an improved S processor in the Apple Watch Series 12, possibly called S12 or S11. This new component promises greater processing power and speed, marking it as the first watch chip in the era of artificial intelligence.
Siri AI is one of the most important innovations in watchOS 27, and it is expected to operate at maximum efficiency on the new chip. In addition, several other day-to-day features should also benefit from improved performance.
News in health with permanently active heart rate sensor
Rumors have long been circulating that the Apple Watch Series 12 will bring new health features. Among expectations, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would have reviewed an improvement in hypertension reporting, with a launch expected next week.
Another specific rumor indicates that the heart rate sensor will operate continuously. This functionality is already present in competing products, such as WHOOP, which increases the Apple Watch’s competitiveness.
According to information from Mark Gurman, the new Series 12 sensor will be able to collect health data uninterruptedly throughout the day, and not just during intense activities or at irregular intervals.
Ceramic case option in two different colors
In addition to the traditional new straps and case options, Apple is expected to reintroduce a ceramic version for the watch, something that has not happened since the Series 5 model, launched in 2019.
The Apple Watch Series 12 should be available in two ceramic shades: white and dark gray. Reports from Bloomberg indicate that the company carried out tests with both configurations for the Series 12’s ceramic cases.
It’s not yet clear what the additional value of the ceramic case will be in the final price of the Series 12. The last time this option was offered, it started at $1,299, a considerably higher cost than the Apple Watch Ultra currently costs.
