New Delhi: The Apple Watch Series 12 does not look dramatically different from its predecessor, but Apple has made substantial changes under the surface. The latest smartwatch brings a redesigned health-sensing system, faster performance, improved charging speeds and new software features, making it a more capable health and fitness companion.

India Today reviewer Javed Anwer rated the Apple Watch Series 12 8.5 out of 10, praising its design, health tracking and overall package, while noting the absence of a major new headline feature. The review suggests that the Series 12 is more about refining Apple’s existing smartwatch experience than completely reinventing it.

The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at ₹56,900 in India and requires an iPhone for setup and full functionality.

Familiar design with subtle changes

At first glance, the Apple Watch Series 12 looks almost identical to the previous generation. The overall shape remains familiar, although there are small changes to the bezels, glass and sensor module.

The sensor assembly on the underside is thinner, while Apple has introduced additional finish and material choices. The Series 12 is available in aluminium and titanium, while Apple has also brought back a ceramic finish in Pearl White and Night Blue.

The aluminium models get Ceramic Shield 2, designed to improve scratch resistance. Ceramic and titanium versions continue to use sapphire crystal protection, which offers stronger resistance to everyday scratches and wear.

The review notes that the familiar design is not necessarily a weakness. The Apple Watch retains a relatively understated appearance while maintaining the distinctive shape and premium feel associated with the product.

Health tracking gets the biggest upgrade

The most important changes are found inside the sensor system rather than on the outside.

Apple has significantly expanded the health-sensing hardware. The Series 12 features 32 electrodes, compared with four on the previous model for ECG and related functions. The watch also uses larger green LEDs and increases the frequency at which it monitors health data.

One of the most notable changes is continuous heart-rate monitoring. The Series 12 can measure heart rate every five seconds, matching the frequency previously used during workouts.

Heart-rate variability, or HRV, is also measured much more frequently. The watch additionally distinguishes between HRV recorded during activity and HRV while the user is at rest.

The additional data feeds into Apple’s updated health features, with the company aiming to provide users with more meaningful information rather than simply collecting more numbers.

Readiness score adds a new health insight

One of the key additions is the Readiness score, which is designed to provide a quick indication of how prepared the body may be for the day.

The score becomes available after the watch has been worn for around seven days, including during sleep. It is calculated using information such as sleep, heart rate, HRV, blood oxygen levels and breathing data.

The score ranges from 0 to 10. In the India Today review, the Readiness score broadly corresponded with the reviewer’s own experience after nights of poor or good sleep. However, the review also points out that reducing complex physiological factors to a single number has inherent limitations.

Apple is also developing an updated Health app that could make greater use of the additional information collected by the latest Apple Watch models. One planned feature is Health Age, which is intended to provide an indication of overall physiological wellbeing.

S11 chip makes the watch faster

The Apple Watch Series 12 is powered by the S11 chip, which brings a performance improvement over the previous generation.

The faster processor contributes to a smoother overall experience, while also supporting new AI-related functions. The watchOS 27 interface includes an updated app grid that can surface frequently used apps and features through Siri.

Apple has also added a gesture that allows users to quickly open an item from the notification stack by tapping the index finger and thumb together.

The display remains bright and practical, while the overall interface is designed to offer considerable functionality without becoming overwhelming.

Charging is a major improvement

Battery life remains around 24 hours, depending on usage, GPS activity and network connectivity on cellular versions. However, charging speed has improved considerably.

The Series 12 can reportedly charge from zero to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes. That makes it easier for users to keep wearing the watch throughout the day and overnight for sleep tracking.

For someone running low on battery before bedtime, even a short 15- to 20-minute charging session can provide enough power to continue using the watch.

This is arguably one of the most practical improvements in the new model because it addresses the inconvenience of having to remove a smartwatch for extended charging periods.

Siri gets new AI features

The Series 12 is also set to receive new Siri-powered capabilities later this year.

Two features highlighted in the review are Recap and Rewind. Recap is designed to record voice during situations such as meetings or conversations and automatically generate a summary using Siri AI.

Rewind takes a different approach. It is designed to maintain a rolling 15-second audio recording, automatically deleting the previous clip as a new one is recorded. This could allow users to replay something they missed moments earlier.

Both features are expected to be exclusive to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Their usefulness will become clearer once they are widely available.

Is Apple Watch Series 12 worth buying?

The Apple Watch Series 12 is not a radical redesign, and existing owners of recent Apple Watch models may not find enough visual change to justify an immediate upgrade.

However, the internal improvements are more significant. Better health sensing, more frequent heart-rate and HRV measurements, the Readiness score, faster performance and much quicker charging collectively make the Series 12 a more polished device.

The review concludes that the Apple Watch remains a strong choice for iPhone users who want a comprehensive smartwatch. Features such as Fall Detection, Accident Detection, Emergency SOS and heart monitoring add to its appeal beyond basic notifications and fitness tracking.

At ₹56,900, it is firmly positioned as a premium smartwatch. For owners of older Apple Watch models, the Series 12 could represent a meaningful upgrade, particularly for those interested in health tracking. For Series 11 users, however, the decision may depend on how much value they place on the improved sensors, Readiness features and faster charging.

Overall, the Apple Watch Series 12 succeeds through refinement rather than reinvention. Its familiar design hides a more capable health-monitoring system and a faster, smoother user experience, keeping Apple’s smartwatch among the strongest options for iPhone users.