Apple Watch Series 12 Gets a New Health Sensing System and a Ceramic Option
Apple's most popular watch gains more frequent heart readings, a daily Readiness score and a striking ceramic finish. It starts at A$649 in Australia.
Apple Watch has always been as much a health device as a smartwatch, and the Series 12 leans further into that role than any model before it. The big change is under the back glass: a new Health Sensing System that Apple says delivers the most accurate heart rate readings of any wearable.
More frequent, more accurate readings
Paired with the new S11 chip, the Health Sensing System takes heart rate readings every five seconds and heart rate variability (HRV) readings every five minutes. That is a big jump in resolution, and it feeds a new Readiness score, a daily read on how prepared your body is to take on the day. Fitness bands and smart rings have leaned on this kind of metric for years, so it is good to see it arrive natively on Apple's mainstream watch.
One caveat for Australian buyers: hypertension notifications will not be available on the Series 12 here at launch while Apple waits on local regulatory clearance. The company expects the feature to arrive later this year.
Battery and charging
Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours of everyday use, but the more practical improvement is charging. Fifteen minutes on the charger now adds up to 12 hours of use, so a quick top-up while you shower is enough to cover the rest of the day and a night of sleep tracking.
Siri AI on your wrist
With watchOS 27, the Series 12 gets Siri AI, Apple's rebuilt assistant, which can draw on your personal context and broad world knowledge. Audio Intelligence features, designed to help you remember key moments from conversations and stay alert to important sounds, are due later this year.
A finish for every taste
The range is wider than ever. Aluminium comes in dark bronze, black, light gold and space grey, titanium in radiant gold and natural, and there is a new ceramic model in pearl white or night blue. The ceramic versions in particular push the Series 12 closer to traditional luxury watch territory.
Price and availability in Australia
- Price: from A$649
- Finishes: aluminium, titanium and new ceramic
- Availability: on sale now
Apple has only published the entry price locally, so check the Apple Store for larger cases, cellular models and the titanium and ceramic versions.
Source: Apple Newsroom Australia. Image courtesy of Apple.
