Apple Watch Series 12 release date expectations, price estimates and upgrades
The Apple Watch Series 10. | 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
- Blood pressure monitoring may be in the works
- No non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, unfortunately
- New S12 chip
- New watch faces
- 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.
Rumor has it Apple is splitting its releases this time, and the Pro-branded iPhones are coming in the fall, while the non-Pro in the spring next year. The smartwatches are expected to come with the Pro-branded iPhones.
| 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 Apple doesn't raise prices, the timepiece may start at $399 for the smaller size with GPS-only connectivity.
Potential Apple Watch Series 12 prices:
| 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
The device has a ring with eight white lines in it. It is not exactly clear what these sensors may be responsible for, but it makes sense that Apple is looking into adding new health sensors to the future Apple Watch.
Apart from that, Apple may keep the recognizable square design of the timepiece, with buttons on the right side of the display and speakers on the left side. Per tradition, there may be 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, nothing is said just yet. 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, nothing is said just yet. 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. It's likely going to get better viewing angles and improvements in brightness, which is always a welcome upgrade. If there's no major redesign of the watch, as most rumors currently indicate, we're going to get the usual rectangular 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. Usually, Apple's timepieces last around a day or some more. The Cupertino tech giant introduced some changes with the Series 11 and advertised a 24-hour battery life, but the upgrade in itself is not as big as Apple makes it sound.
Battery life has been consistent for Apple Watches. Usually, Apple's timepieces last around a day or some more. The Cupertino tech giant introduced some changes with the Series 11 and advertised a 24-hour battery life, but the upgrade in itself is not as big as Apple makes it sound.
Hopefully, there will be some real improvements in that department with the Series 12.
Apple Watch Series 12 features and software
Now, the Apple Watch Series 12, coming next year, may sport watchOS 27. Given that Apple redesigned watchOS this year, I'm more inclined to believe that the next iteration of watchOS will bring new features but potentially not a huge redesign. It may be more of a quality-of-life update.
However, the rumor about the eight new sensors on a future Apple Watch is interesting. It's not known what these sensors will do, but most likely they will be connected to health features.
Blood pressure monitoring
Blood pressure monitoring was rumored for the Series 11, but the latest rumors indicate that it may not come with the 2025 Apple Watch. Of course, there is the possibility that Apple will not abandon the tech completely, and it may be ready in time for the Series 12 in 2026.
Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring
This one is tricky. 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, and they may not happen with the Series 11. There's a possibility it might happen with the Series 12, but I'm not entirely convinced just yet.
The tech is tricky, though. 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 not ever 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:
Apple Watch Series 12's expected specs:
- CPU: S12 (expected)
- Battery: Up to 24 hours (expected)
- Sizes: 42 and 46 mm (expected)
- Materials: Aluminum and Titanium (expected)
- Connectivity: GPS-only or GPS + Cellular
- Storage: 64GB (expected)
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 another new smartwatch, and you're not necessarily due for an upgrade just yet.
- You should not wait for the Apple Watch Series 12 if you need an upgrade now. After all, the Apple Watch Series 11 is an excellent model, and if you like what it offers, you should go for it. Currently, it appears that there won't be anything huge with the Series 12 to warrant you waiting for a months before getting a new timepiece.
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