Why I Think the Apple Watch Series 12 Is Worth Upgrading.
When Apple releases a new watch, upgrading isn’t always justified. Last year, the Series 11 had only a few subtle quirks that could have made it worthwhile over the Series 10, and we argued that if you’re happy with your current watch, it’s best to move on . But the Series 12 is a different story, and it’s worth upgrading to it, no matter which Apple Watch model you’re upgrading from.
One of the main reasons to upgrade is that the new Series 12 processor (which, oddly enough, is called the S11 chip) supports some features not available in older Apple Watch models. This is why, for example, step counting is only available in the new models; Apple decided to implement this feature in a way that only the new processor could calculate. If software compatibility breaks, it makes sense to upgrade to a newer model. I expect that new features will be added in the future that will be compatible with the Series 12 but not with earlier models.
The heart rate sensor is a significant improvement.
Apple has updated the hardware on the back of the watch that optically reads your heart rate. (This new sensor is found in both the Series 12 and Ultra 4. ) I tested its accuracy and found it to be significantly better than the sensors in previous Apple Watch models, such as the Series 10 and 11. If you train based on your heart rate during a workout or use post-workout heart rate data to evaluate and plan your workouts, the upgrade is worth it.
Apple claims its sensor provides the most accurate heart rate tracking of any wearable. I tested this claim and can partially agree: it’s as good as Garmin’s top-of-the-line sensor. I wouldn’t say it’s better than Garmin’s, but in my opinion, both sensors are comparable in quality among wrist-based sensors. ( Chest straps are certainly superior to any wrist-based system .)
Having the step count displayed on the watch face is a nice bonus.
I wouldn’t buy a new Apple Watch just for the step counter, but it’s a nice upgrade that I really appreciate. I can add a step counter widget to my watch face (currently, it’s in the corner of my modular watch face), and I have the step counter pinned to my Smart Stack.
If you don’t update your watch, you’ll have to use a third-party pedometer that will display on the watch face. But it’s nice that Apple finally added this feature. Apple claims its step counting is the most accurate; I’ll be testing that out soon.
Heart rate variability readings during the readiness and recovery periods are another nice addition.
Apple Watch has always been able to measure heart rate variability (HRV), but until Series 12 (and Ultra 4), it didn’t use the RMSSD version, which is most useful for assessing stress or recovery. (Instead, it used the SDNN version, which can provide some information about cardiovascular health; newer Apple Watch models can do both.)
This means you can now get overnight heart rate variability (HRV) data similar to what you’d get with an Oura or Whoop ring. I find HRV a useful tool for tracking stress or fatigue, so if you already wear an Apple Watch, it’s nice to be able to get this data from the watch instead of having to use a second device. Apple has also added a Readiness Score, which uses HRV to show how “ready” you are for the day.
What impressed me least about episode 12?
Beyond the features listed above, Apple announced a few new features that it uses as selling points for the Series 12, but I wouldn’t read too much into them. Some are software features, like a minor update to the Workout Buddy app and a major update to the Health app on your phone; you don’t need a new watch for these . Others are truly related to the watch itself, but they wouldn’t be a reason to upgrade, at least not for me personally. These include:
AI Siri
A new version of Siri powered by artificial intelligence has arrived, and it’s available on the watch. It does some things better than the old Siri, like searching for messages and emails, but it seems to have gotten worse in other ways. I wrote about my experience using Siri AI on the watch ; I encountered numerous lags and bugs that negated any small benefits the new algorithm might have offered. I expect it will improve over time, but right now, it’s not very good.
Rewind and recap
Apple introduced two features on the new Watch that I find more terrifying than useful: Live Rewind, which provides a text transcript of all audio heard in the last 15 seconds; and Siri Recaps, which summarizes meetings. Despite Apple’s assurances of privacy, this feature still constantly eavesdrops on you and others who haven’t consented to rewind or summarize. This feature hasn’t launched on my Watch yet, so I can’t comment on how it works, but I’m not particularly impressed with the idea.