Apple officially announced two new watches: the Apple Watch Series 12 and, as a more robust version, the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Although the external design remains very similar to previous models, the new generations incorporate a more powerful processor and several unprecedented features.
In the case of the Apple Watch Series 12, the design maintained few changes, but the performance was significantly updated. Unlike the Apple Watch Series 11, which uses the S10 chip present in its predecessor (Series 10), the Series 12 now features the S11 chip, which offers greater speed.
The smartwatch operating system, watchOS 27, although it seems to require more hardware resources, remains compatible with the S9 and S10 chips. Considering that the Apple Watch Series 12 presents new or improved features, this may require additional processing.
One of the notable advances lies in the health sensor system, which received substantial improvements. Optical parameter reading now provides more reliable data, even in circumstances where wrist readings are more challenging.
This improvement directly impacts the accuracy of strength training monitoring, allowing for detailed recording of sets, repetitions, weight, equipment, and workout duration.
Additionally, the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) feature has been introduced, which measures heartbeats every five seconds. This allows for a more accurate tracking of this parameter, even when the user is not physically active.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 adopts a similar strategy to the Series 12: its external look does not undergo major changes, but it also receives the new S11 chip and incorporates all the previously mentioned features.