Apple Watch Series 12: One minute review
While the Apple Watch Series 12 is a decidedly modern-looking smartwatch in a pleasingly thin profile, it’s not a major redesign from the Cupertino-based tech giant. And if you’re upgrading from the Series 11, you’ll probably notice more of a difference in what the watch can do rather than in how it looks. Apple has updated the Health Sensing System (its array of LEDs and sensors used to collect your health data), introduced Readiness Score, and made everyday tracking more useful, with real-time steps and heart-rate information easier to access. I’ve been wearing the Series 12 for more than a month, and Readiness Score is the addition I’ve found myself using the most. It takes your sleep and other health data and turns it into a score out of 10, giving you a quick idea of how ready you might be for the day. I’ve generally found the results match how I feel, and it’s a feature that can genuinely influence what I do, whether that’s heading out for a workout or taking a longer walk with my dog, Rosie. I’ve also been comparing the Series 12 with the Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Ultra 4, as well as the Oura Ring 5 and Pixel Watch 5. That has helped me put Apple’s latest watch into context, particularly when looking at health tracking and heart-rate readings. The Series 12 has generally delivered the sort of everyday experience I’d expect from an Apple Watch, with battery life that’s worked well for me most of the time. A couple of things to consider, though. The design is very familiar, so there’s little reason to upgrade purely for its appearance, and I did have two nights when the battery ran out before morning. Apple’s upcoming AI features are also still a reason to wait rather than buy immediately. If they’re what you’re most interested in. For anyone using an older Apple Watch, particularly a Series 9 or earlier, the Series 12 makes a much stronger case. The combination of newer health features, Readiness Score, performance, and battery life makes this an upgrade worth considering. Apple Watch Series 12: Specs Table
Component
Apple Watch Series 12 (42mm)
Apple Watch Series 12 (46mm)
Price
$399 / £369 / AU$679 for the 42mm
$429 / £399 / AU$699 for the 46mm
Dimension
46 x 40 x 9. 7mm
42 x 37 x 9. 7mm
Weight
31. 5g (without band)
38. 6g (without band)
Case/bezel
Aluminum, Titanium, or Ceramic
Aluminum, Titanium, or Ceramic
Display
42mm Always-On Retina LTPO3 OLED display (up to 2,000 nits)
46mm Always-On Retina LTPO3 OLED display (up to 2,000 nits)
Processor
Apple-made S11 chip
Apple-made S11 chip
GPS
Precision L1 GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou)
Precision L1 GPS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou)
Battery life
Up to 24 hours with normal use
Up to 24 hours with normal use
Connections
4G LTE, Satellite SOS, Wi‑Fi 4 (802. 11n), Bluetooth 5. 3
Wi‑Fi 4 (802. 11n), Bluetooth 5. 3, and 4G LTE
Water resistant
Water resistance 50m
Water resistance 50m

Apple Watch Series 12: Price and availability
$399 / £369 / AU$679 for the 42mm
$429 / £399 / AU$699 for the 46mm
Prices unchanged from last year
The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399 / £369 / AU$679 for the 42mm with a recycled aluminum case and standard strap, and $429 / £399 / AU$699 for the 46mm. LTE-capable models, which can be added to your data plans, as well as optional improvements to the finish — titanium or ceramic — are available at an additional cost. It doesn’t represent outstanding value in the same way as, let’s say, the Amazfit Active 3 Premium might, but it’s fine — the price has actually held steady on Apple Watches for the last couple of years, which is encouraging given the electronics industry is undergoing a supply chain crisis at the moment. Value score: 4. 5/5
Apple Watch Series 12: Design

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol) Same ‘squircle’ and digital crown design
Retains slimmer look from Series 11
Redesigned sensor array and GPS architecture
If you expect the Apple Watch Series 12 to look substantially different from the Series 11, you’ll be disappointed. Apple has kept the familiar rectangular ‘squircle’ design, with the Digital Crown and side button on the case, and the overall look remains very much the same. After using the Series 12 for more than a month and comparing it with the Series 11, I haven’t found the exterior to be a major reason to upgrade. It doesn’t look dramatically different on your wrist, and Apple hasn’t tried to reinvent a design that already works. That’s not necessarily a problem, though. The Apple Watch Series 12 remains a comfortable everyday smartwatch, and wearing it all day and overnight matters when you use it for sleep tracking and the Readiness Score. The biggest changes are on the rear of the case, as Apple has redesigned the LEDs and internal architecture to make its data collection more accurate. However, a watch can have all the health features in the world, but they’re less useful if you don’t want to wear it consistently. (Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol) The Series 12 comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with aluminum and titanium options alongside ceramic, which is returning and still adds a bit more heft. That gives you some choice in look and finish, though the core experience stays the same. The aluminum model is the more straightforward choice for most people, while titanium and ceramic offer alternatives if materials and appearance matter more to you. The always-on OLED display is familiar, too. It lets you glance at the time, check a notification, or see your workout metrics without having to wake the screen manually. That’s one of those features that quickly becomes part of your routine, particularly if you use complications to keep useful information on the watch face. One addition I’ve found handy is the real-time step-count complication. I check steps regularly, and seeing the number at a glance saves me from opening the Fitness app. The heart rate complication works the same way, especially when I want to keep an eye on my readings during the day. Compared with the Ultra 3 and Ultra 4, the Series 12 feels more like a familiar everyday watch. The Ultra models have their own appeal, particularly if you want a larger, more rugged watch, but the Series 12 is easier to recommend to someone who doesn’t need that design. The main point is that the Series 12 doesn’t feel like a new design generation. If you’re upgrading, look at the back of the case, with its improved health features enabling the Readiness Score and overall experience, rather than expecting a noticeable aesthetic change to the watch itself. Design score: 4. 5/5
Apple Watch Series 12: Features

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol) Readiness score is a major boon
More frequent heart rate data collection
Upcoming Audio Intelligence features
The Readiness Score is the biggest reason I’d consider the Series 12, and it stood out most during my testing. It uses overnight sleep and HRV data, along with other health and activity information and some custom processing, to produce a score from 1 to 10. The idea is to give you a quick indication of how ready you might be for the day, rather than leaving you to interpret a collection of separate metrics yourself. Tested against the Garmin Cirqa , our senior fitness editor Matt Evans found both devices provided identical Readiness scores after wearing both for one week’s worth of sleep…