Apple Watch Series 12
Apple · Released September 18, 2026

Watch Series 12

Apple's $399 Series 12 checks heart rate every five seconds and adds a Readiness score; battery is still a day.

Smartwatches
8.8/10What the pros sayExcellentExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Storage
Buying call

Buy the Apple Watch Series 12 if you have an iPhone and want the best everyday health watch: Apple lists it from $399 for 42mm (Oct 8, 2026). Its new sensor updates heart rate every five seconds, a daily Readiness score arrives with no subscription, and reviewers praised its heart-rate accuracy and fast charging. Skip it if you own a Series 11, because the design and screen are unchanged and some launch features are still missing. Apple rates it at 24 hours, so multiday users should look at the $799 Ultra 4. It doesn't work with Android phones.

Full verdict ↓
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Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
Key specs
Water resistance
50 m (ISO 22810:2010) + IP6X
Heart rate
Yes
Display type
Always-On Retina
Highlights

Specs that matter

Display
Panel
OLED
Resolution
416x496
Refresh
1 Hz
Brightness
1 nits
Performance
Processor
64GB capacity · Audio Intelligence (Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Shazam, Sound Recognition) 2 · S11 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor · 4-core Neural Engine
Storage
64GB
OS
RTT Support · Zoom · Color Filters · Bold Text · Text Size · Audio Volume Balance
Audio
Type
Earbuds
Wear
In-ear / earbuds
Body
Weight
1.9 oz (53 g)
Dimensions
Weight (titanium): 36.5 grams · Weight (Pearl White ceramic): 41.7 grams · Width (aluminum, titanium): 40mm · Depth (cer
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

DisplayOLEDOLED
AudioEarbuds · In-ear / earbuds
Chipset64GB capacity · Audio Intelligence (Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Shazam, Sound Recognition) 2 · S11 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor · 4-core Neural Engine
RAM / storage64GBRTT Support · Zoom · Color Filters · Bold Text · Text Size · Audio Volume Balanc
Weight1.9 oz (53 g)Weight (titanium): 36.5 grams · Weight (Pearl White ceramic): 41.7 grams · Width (aluminum, titanium): 40mm · Depth (cer
46 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

Prices from trusted US retailers, updated daily.

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Available in 64GB.
Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy the Apple Watch Series 12 if you have an iPhone and want the best everyday health watch: Apple lists it from $399 for 42mm (Oct 8, 2026). Its new sensor updates heart rate every five seconds, a daily Readiness score arrives with no subscription, and reviewers praised its heart-rate accuracy and fast charging. Skip it if you own a Series 11, because the design and screen are unchanged and some launch features are still missing. Apple rates it at 24 hours, so multiday users should look at the $799 Ultra 4. It doesn't work with Android phones.

Best for

iPhone owners who want accurate heart-rate tracking, a Readiness score and Apple's safety features.

Not for

Android users, Series 11 owners, and anyone who wants multiday battery.

Main strengthRedesigned sensor updates heart rate every five seconds
Main weaknessBattery life still trails rivals
Reasons to buy
Redesigned sensor updates heart rate every five seconds
Daily Readiness score with no subscription
Fast charging and a comfortable, polished design
Strong health and safety feature set
Reasons to avoid
Battery life still trails rivals
Several promised features missing at launch
iPhone only
Measured view8.8/10What the pros say · verified oct 8, 2026.
ScoreVerified Oct 8, 2026
Independent coverage

What other reviewers say

Reviews from other sites and creators. They don't change the Gadget Clash score.

Submit your review
CNET9.2/10
Article · Full reviewApple Watch Series 12 Review: I’m Loving the Subscription-Free LifeVanessa Hand Orellana · Oct 2026Read on CNET ↗
The Verge8/10
Article · Full reviewApple Watch Series 12 review: the start of a new wearable eraVictoria Song · Sep 2026Read on The Verge ↗
WIRED9/10
Article · Full reviewApple Watch Series 12 Review: Finally, a Readiness Score (2026)Boutayna Chokrane · Sep 2026Read on WIRED ↗
DC Rainmaker · Oct 2026Apple Watch Series 12 In-Depth Review: Worth the Upgrade?Watch on YouTube ↗
CNET · Sep 2026Apple Watch Series 12 Review: Creepy or Cool? A Little of Both | All Things MobileWatch on YouTube ↗
Engadget · Sep 2026Apple Watch Series 12 review: Catching up and catching heatWatch on YouTube ↗
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple Watch Series 12
This deviceWatch Series 12
VS
AlternativeWatch Series 11
Chipset
64GB capacity · Audio Intelligence (Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Shazam, Sound Recognition) 2 · S11 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor · 4-core Neural EngineS10 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor
Full comparison
Apple Watch Series 12
This deviceWatch Series 12
VS
Watch SE 3
AlternativeWatch SE 3
Chipset
64GB capacity · Audio Intelligence (Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Shazam, Sound Recognition) 2 · S11 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor · 4-core Neural EngineS10 chip with 64-bit dual core processor
Full comparison
Apple Watch Series 12
This deviceWatch Series 12
VS
AlternativeWatch Series 10
Chipset
64GB capacity · Audio Intelligence (Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Shazam, Sound Recognition) 2 · S11 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor · 4-core Neural EngineS10 SiP with 64-bit dual core processor
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

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8.5
AppleWatch Series 11S10 chip with 64-bit dual-core processor
Watch SE 38.7
AppleWatch SE 3S10 chip with 64-bit dual core processor
8.6
AppleWatch Series 10S10 SiP with 64-bit dual core processor
Watch Ultra 28.7
AppleWatch Ultra 2S9 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Product data

Full specifications

46 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Verified Oct 8, 2026. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Battery

Wireless charging
✓
Charging
Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C

Display

Display type
  • Always-On Retina
  • wide-angle OLED
  • LTPO3 (1Hz refresh)
Pixel density
326 ppi
Brightness
2000 nits peak; 1 nit minimum
Touchscreen
✓
Always-on display
✓
HDR
HDR10+
Color display
✓

Health & Sensors

Heart rate
✓
Sleep tracking
✓
Blood oxygen (SpO₂)
✓
ECG
✓
Skin temperature
✓
Workout tracking
✓
Accelerometer
✓
Gyroscope
✓
Barometer
✓
Compass
✓
Ambient light
✓
Sensors
  • Electrical heart sensor (2nd gen)
  • always-on optical heart sensor
  • blood oxygen sensor
  • temperature sensor
  • compass
  • always-on altimeter
  • high-g accelerometer
  • high dynamic range gyroscope
  • ambient light sensor
  • depth gauge (6 m)
  • water temperature sensor

Performance

Operating system
watchOS

Connectivity

Wi‑Fi
  • Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
  • 2.4GHz and 5GHz
NFC
✓
GPS
✓
Cellular
5G RedCap/LTE
Audio codecs
AAC, SBC

Body

Water resistance
50 m (ISO 22810:2010) + IP6X
Dimensions
42mm: 42 x 37 x 9.7 mm; 46mm: 46 x 40 x 9.7 mm (aluminum/titanium)
Case material
Aluminum, titanium, or ceramic
Colors
  • Aluminum: Dark Bronze
  • Light Gold
  • Black
  • Space Gray
  • Titanium: Radiant Gold
  • Natural
  • Ceramic: Pearl White
  • Night Blue

Launch

Released
September 23, 2023
Vote & discuss

Community says

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