Among the many new products Apple is launching this fall is the Apple Watch Series 12. Here are four new features rumored for this year’s Apple Watch update.
#1: New chip (actually)
Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and 11 all have essentially the same chip. However, there are rumors that an actual chip upgrade is in the works for this year’s Apple Watch Series 12.
mac world We reported this change as follows:
The 2026 model is identified as the “Watch8,” hinting at a big leap forward in hardware. For example, Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Series 11 are all part of the “Watch7” family due to similarities.
The Watch8 family, on the other hand, consists of the N237, N238, and N240 models (Apple Watch Series 12 with GPS and Cellular, and Ultra 4) powered by a new CPU called T8320.
The last time Apple actually introduced a new processor for the Apple Watch was in 2023 with Apple Watch Series 9. This upgrade provides faster CPU and GPU performance.
With Apple bringing Siri AI to Apple Watch with watchOS 27, performance upgrades are key to future AI features.
#2: Battery life
Improving battery life is said to be a big focus of the upcoming Apple Watch Series 12. In addition to increasing the physical size of its devices’ batteries, Apple is also reportedly focusing on improving efficiency in other areas.
As Apple continues to push features like sleep tracking on the Apple Watch, extending battery life is a big priority for the company.
#3: New health features
According to digitimes According to reports, Apple has submitted its new high blood pressure notification feature to the FDA for review.
watchOS 26 adds high blood pressure notifications to Apple Watch for the first time. It’s unclear how this rumored new hypertension feature will differ from the Apple Watch’s current implementation.
The current Apple Watch’s high blood pressure feature doesn’t actually provide blood pressure readings. Instead, it uses data collected by your Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor to notify you if it detects a “pattern of high blood pressure” during a 30-day evaluation period.
It remains to be seen if Apple Watch Series 12 will have other health upgrades. Apple is still working on non-invasive blood sugar monitoring for the Apple Watch, but it will be years before the feature is ready.
#4: New watch face
bloomberg Apple is reportedly developing a new Apple Watch face that “simplifies the Modular Ultra design.”
It features the same large watch as the Ultra Face, but the large central complication option has been removed and three smaller complications line up above the time and information placed around the bezel. The result is a large clock that takes up the top two-thirds of the display, with three smaller complications lined up below.
This is essentially a toned-down version of the Apple Watch Ultra’s popular Modular Ultra face for a standard “series” watch.
This new modular watch face may roll out to other Apple Watch models, but is expected to be announced at the Apple Watch Series 12 event.
Bonus: Don’t expect anything.
There were rumors that Touch ID support might be added to the Apple Watch Series 12, but that doesn’t seem to be happening anymore.
Rather, a more recent rumor is that Apple has decided that new health features and a larger battery are more important to the Apple Watch, and has removed the features.
New features in Apple Watch Series 12: Summary
Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to be announced in September along with Apple Watch Ultra 4.
What new Apple Watch feature are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.
If you don’t want to wait for the Apple Watch Series 12, the Apple Watch Series 11 is currently $100 off on Amazon.
My favorite Apple Watch links:
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