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Apple Watch Series 12 may add always-on heart-rate tracking and revamped Fitness app; new chip and battery gains could push real-world use past two days

Apple's upcoming Watch Series 12 is set to feature always-on heart-rate tracking and a redesigned Fitness app, enhancing its appeal to health enthusiasts. A new chip and improved battery life may extend usage beyond two days, maintaining its competitive edge in the smartwatch market.

9to5Mac 9to5Mac+1 source30 August 2026 · 17:58 UTC
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Apple's Watch Series 12 is poised to introduce significant health-focused features, including always-on heart-rate tracking and a revamped Fitness app, aimed at enhancing user engagement. The heart-rate sensor will reportedly monitor continuously, not just during workouts, making it more appealing to health-conscious consumers.2

In addition to these features, Apple is expected to unveil a new chip that could improve performance and efficiency. The current Series 11 offers a battery life of 24 hours, but real-world testing has shown it can last up to 43 hours under typical use. With enhancements, the Series 12 could potentially exceed two days of battery life, a significant upgrade for users.

The pricing strategy remains consistent, with the Series 12 likely starting at $399, maintaining its competitive edge against rivals like Google and Samsung, which have recently increased their smartwatch prices. This consistency in pricing, coupled with new features, positions the Apple Watch Series 12 as a strong contender in the smartwatch market.

As Apple continues to innovate, the Series 12's enhancements reflect a growing trend towards integrating advanced health metrics into wearable technology, aligning with the increasing consumer demand for comprehensive health tracking solutions.

Key Insight
“The Series 12 is also expected to come in white and dark gray with many new band colors, while a new chip would support Siri AI in watchOS 27. Apple has kept the starting price at $399 since 2018, making it more value-rich than ever.”
CuriousCats studied:
1
9to5Mac9to5Mac
“According to , Apple has a couple new features in the pipeline for that’ll make it much more appealing for health-conscious users.”
9to5Mac →
2
PCMag
“Apple has kept the starting price of its flagship Series watch consistent since the in 2018.”
PCMag →
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