Apple Watch Series 12 release date expectations, price estimates and upgrades
Apple Watch Series 11 for illustrative purposes. | Image by Apple
Apple Watch Series 12: what to expect
What's expected to change vs the Apple Watch Series 11:
- Some rumors claim a big design overhaul, others that the big design changes are reserved for 2027's model
- Potentially new sensors may be added
- Touch ID, potentially
- Blood pressure monitoring may be in the works
- New S12 chip
- New watch faces
- Non-invasive glucose monitoring not happening
- The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to accompany the iPhone 18 Pro and (potentially) the first foldable iPhone in fall 2026.
Expected price:
- So far, the price of the Series 12 has not leaked.
- Expect a similar price to the Series 11: starting at $399.
Jump to:
Apple Watch Series 12 release date
The Apple Watch Series 12 will likely be announced alongside the iPhone 18 models in September 2026. The exact date is not known currently, but the events are usually on a Tuesday, sometimes in the middle of the month.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 8 | September 7, 2022 | September 16, 2022 |
| Apple Watch Series 9 | September 12, 2023 | September 22, 2023 |
| Apple Watch Series 10 | September 9, 2024 | September 20, 2024 |
| Apple Watch Series 11 | September 9, 2025* | September, 2025* |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | September 2026 | September 2026 |
* - probable dates
Apple Watch Series 12 price
Rumors are still silent about what the Series 12's price may be. If the Cupertino giant doesn't raise prices, the timepiece may start at $399 for the smaller size with GPS-only connectivity.
| Apple Watch model | 41mm (or 42mm) GPS only | 45mm (or 46mm) GPS only | 41mm (or 42mm)GPS + Cellular | 45mm (or 46mm) GPS + Cellular |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 8 | $399 | $429 | $499 | $529 |
| Apple Watch Series 9 | $399 | $429 | $499 | $529 |
| Apple Watch Series 10 | $399 | $429 | $499 | $529 |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | $399* | $429* | $499* | $529* |
*- anticipated price
Apple Watch Series 12 design
Basically, that device has a ring with eight white lines in it, which are believed to be sensors. It is not exactly clear what these sensors may be responsible for.
However, it's been months, and we're not hearing more about these new sensors, so it seems rather unlikely.
Expect the recognizable square design for the Apple Watch, with buttons on the right side of the display and speakers on the left side. Of course, we may see some new Apple Watch bands. A major redesign is not expected; most rumors currently claim that Apple may introduce a new design with the 2027 Apple Watch model.
Expect the recognizable square design for the Apple Watch, with buttons on the right side of the display and speakers on the left side. Of course, we may see some new Apple Watch bands. A major redesign is not expected; most rumors currently claim that Apple may introduce a new design with the 2027 Apple Watch model.
One rumor claims that we may get Touch ID authentication with the Series 12, though, and that would be a very welcome upgrade in my book. Improved security is always a "yes" in my mind, so hopefully, this rumor turns out accurate.
As for sizes, we've not heard any rumors or leaks so far. For reference, the Apple Watch Series 11 is available in two new sizes: 42 and 46mm. You can choose between an aluminum and a titanium case. The aluminum case offers four options for colors (Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black), while the titanium one offers three (Gold, Natural, Slate).
As for sizes, we've not heard any rumors or leaks so far. For reference, the Apple Watch Series 11 is available in two new sizes: 42 and 46mm. You can choose between an aluminum and a titanium case. The aluminum case offers four options for colors (Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black), while the titanium one offers three (Gold, Natural, Slate).
Apple Watch Series 12 display
As for the Apple Watch Series 12 display, expect the usual improvements like better viewing angles or a brighter display.
The display may remain the same size, though, if there's no major redesign coming for the timepiece. For reference, the Apple Watch Series 11 comes with an Always-on Retina display and up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness. It has 1 nit minimum brightness and a resolution of 326 pixels per inch. All in all, it's a great smartwatch display.
We expect similar specs for the Series 12 display.
Apple Watch Series 12 battery
Apple Watches are not the smartwatches with the biggest battery life out there. Yep, Apple manages to squeeze a lot of juice from a tiny battery, but still, there are other competing brands on the market offering more battery life than the Apple Watch.
Battery life has been consistent for Apple Watches and has not seen huge upgrades in recent years. Usually, Apple's timepieces can last around a day or so.
With the Apple Watch Series 11, the Cupertino tech giant introduced some changes and advertised a 24-hour battery life, but the upgrade in itself is not as big as Apple makes it sound. We also have found that the battery life is not ideal in our Apple Watch Series 11 review.
Hopefully, there will be some real improvements in that department with the Series 12. If not, Apple risks its Apple Watch becoming outshined by the competition in this department, if it's not already.
Apple Watch Series 12 features and software
Blood pressure monitoring
Maybe the tech would be fully ready for this year's Apple Watch, but recent rumors claim that Apple may have run into some accuracy issues, so the tech may be delayed for the next Apple Watch.
Apple's main competitor, Samsung, offers blood pressure monitoring on its smartwatches, so the Cupertino tech giant is a bit late to the party here.
It's been a few years since we've been consistently hearing that Apple is working on non-invasive blood glucose monitoring for an Apple Watch. But all these rumors are still to come to fruition. It may remain this way this year too.
The tech is tricky. People who rely on blood glucose monitoring need absolutely accurate information to manage their health. Now, a smartwatch is not a medical device (and may never be), so I wonder how accurate and reliable Apple can make blood glucose monitoring on a smartwatch be.
Apple's main competitor, Samsung, offers blood pressure monitoring on its smartwatches, so the Cupertino tech giant is a bit late to the party here.
Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring
It's been a few years since we've been consistently hearing that Apple is working on non-invasive blood glucose monitoring for an Apple Watch. But all these rumors are still to come to fruition. It may remain this way this year too.
The tech is tricky. People who rely on blood glucose monitoring need absolutely accurate information to manage their health. Now, a smartwatch is not a medical device (and may never be), so I wonder how accurate and reliable Apple can make blood glucose monitoring on a smartwatch be.
Other features
Apart from that, the Series 12 may bring a wide variety of workouts, ECG, blood oxygen, irregular heart rhythm notifications, sleep monitoring, wrist temperature, and other health metrics. Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and Fall Detection are also likely to be there.
Apple Watch Series 12 hardware and specs
We expect a new chip to power the Series 12, as usual. Every year, Apple brings an upgraded chip to power its latest smartwatches, and possibly, it will be the same situation in 2026.
Apple Watch Series 12's expected specs:
- CPU: S12
- Battery: Up to 24 hours
- Sizes: 42 and 46 mm
- Materials: Aluminum and Titanium
- Connectivity: GPS-only or GPS + Cellular
- Storage: 64GB
Not much is known currently about the S12 chip. Likely, as is the trend in the mobile tech world nowadays, it may be designed with AI-related tasks in mind.
Should I wait for the Apple Watch Series 12?
- You should wait for the Apple Watch Series 12 if you're currently sporting the Series 10 or an older smartwatch and you'll be due for an upgrade this year.
- You should not wait for the Apple Watch Series 12 if you have the Apple Watch Series 11. Currently, it appears that there won't be anything huge with the Series 12 that would make it stand out from its predecessor.
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