Bottom line
If you use an iPhone and want an Apple Watch that doesn’t go overboard, the Apple Watch Series 12 is the one that makes the most sense for everyday use.
It isn’t the cheapest Apple Watch. It isn’t the giant, rugged Ultra either. Instead, it sits right in the middle and tries to give you the features most people will actually use.
And honestly, that’s probably why it will appeal to so many iPhone owners.
What’s actually new?
The biggest change isn’t something you’ll notice just by looking at the watch.
The Series 12 runs on Apple’s new S11 chip, and that chip works alongside a redesigned Health Sensing System. Apple says the new system can measure heart rate every five seconds throughout the day, while the higher-frequency data also feeds Apple’s new readiness experience.
In other words, the watch is collecting much more health information in the background instead of simply checking in occasionally.
That’s important because the real purpose isn’t just collecting numbers.
It’s what Apple does with those numbers.
The new Readiness feature
The new Readiness experience gives you a daily score from 0 to 10 and is designed to help you understand whether your body is ready for a demanding day or whether taking things a little easier makes more sense.
For someone who trains regularly, this could be genuinely useful.
Instead of staring at a bunch of heart-rate and HRV numbers and wondering what they mean, you get something much easier to understand.
“Am I ready to train today?”
That’s a much more useful question.
The display
The Series 12 comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes.
Apple has also upgraded the front glass on aluminum models to Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says is 60 percent tougher than the Ion-X glass used on previous aluminum models.
There are also ceramic options in Pearl White and Night Blue if you want something that looks a little different from the usual Apple Watch.
Battery life
Apple rates the Series 12 for around 24 hours of normal use and up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode.
Fast charging can take it to around 80 percent in about 30 minutes.
So, no, this isn’t the smartwatch for someone who wants to forget about charging for an entire week.
But if you’re already comfortable putting your watch on the charger before bed, the battery situation is much easier to live with.
Who should buy it?
- iPhone owners who want a modern Apple Watch
- People interested in health and fitness tracking
- Users who charge their watch regularly
- People who don’t need the rugged Ultra design
Who shouldn’t?
If you’re an endurance athlete who regularly spends hours away from a charger, the Ultra 4 is built for a different kind of user. And if you’re simply looking for the cheapest possible Apple Watch, some of the Series 12’s newer health features may not be worth paying extra for.