10 September,2026 09:09 AM IST | | mid-day online correspondent
Customers can pre-order the smartwatch from September 10, while the device will be available in stores from September 18. Pic/ X
Apple launched the Apple Watch Series 12 on Wednesday, its latest smartwatch focused on health tracking, fitness, and artificial intelligence, with a new Health Sensing System, the S11 chip, and improved heart rate monitoring.
The Apple Watch Series 12 price in India starts at Rs 56,900.
The new Apple Watch Series 12 is available to pre-order in India from Thursday, September 10, with retail availability beginning September 18. It comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes and is available in aluminium, titanium and a new ceramic finish.
Apple says the Apple Watch Series 12 offers its most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable, with the new Health Sensing System enabling more frequent heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements.
The company has also introduced a new readiness score that uses activity, training load, sleep and health data to assess how prepared a user is for the day.
The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at Rs 56,900 in India. Customers can pre-order the smartwatch from September 10, while the device will be available in stores from September 18.
The smartwatch is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with aluminium models offered in dark bronze, black, light gold and space grey. Titanium models are available in radiant gold and natural titanium, while the new ceramic version comes in pearl white and night blue.
The biggest upgrade on the Apple Watch Series 12 is its new Health Sensing System, which combines new optical and electrical heart sensors with the S11 chip.
Apple claims the new system delivers the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable. The company said a study involving more than 1,000 participants compared Apple Watch's heart rate accuracy with leading wearable devices.
The smartwatch can now measure heart rate every five seconds throughout the day, compared with less frequent measurements on previous models. Apple says the higher-frequency readings are designed to provide a more detailed picture of a user's fitness and physiological state.
The updated system also increases the frequency of HRV measurements by up to 24 times. Apple Watch Series 12 provides recovery HRV and overall HRV readings, with the data available through the Heart Rate app and the Vitals experience.
Apple Watch Series 12 introduces a new readiness feature that analyses recent activity, training load, sleep score and vital signs to provide a score between 0 and 10.
The score is designed to indicate how prepared the body is for the day ahead. Depending on the results, Apple Watch can recommend that users recover, pace themselves, stay ready or push ahead.
The readiness score can change throughout the day as new information becomes available, including after a workout or changes in daytime health metrics.
Apple says the algorithm behind the feature was developed using data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, alongside input from exercise scientists and physicians.
Apple Watch Series 12 continues to offer up to 24 hours of everyday battery life. However, battery life during outdoor workouts has been increased to up to 10 hours, which Apple says is 25 per cent more than the previous generation.
Charging has also been improved. Apple claims that 15 minutes of charging can provide up to 12 hours of additional battery life, representing a 50 per cent improvement over the previous model.
The Apple Watch Series 12 also gets a redesigned pedometer system powered by new machine learning algorithms.
The updated system is designed to improve distance measurements during indoor walking and running workouts while also providing more accurate step counts throughout the day.
Apple claims the Apple Watch Series 12 now offers the most accurate step tracking of any smartwatch. A new Steps complication also allows users to view their step count directly on the watch face.
Apple is expanding Apple Intelligence to the Apple Watch with a new set of Audio Intelligence features powered by the S11 chip, the microphone, Apple Intelligence models on iPhone and Private Cloud Compute.
The features are designed to help users stay aware of sounds around them, remember parts of conversations and remain engaged without constantly checking their phone.
One of the new features is Sound Recognition, which can alert users to sounds such as sirens, alarms, doorbells and a baby crying.
The feature can work even when the user's iPhone is not nearby.
Another feature, Live Rewind, allows users to recall the previous 15 seconds of a conversation as a text snippet. Users can double-press the Digital Crown to access the feature and can ask Siri about the information or save it for later.
Siri Recap can also generate high-level summaries of conversations, including a title and key points. Both Live Rewind and Siri Recap are expected to arrive in beta later this year.
The Apple Watch Series 12 also gets faster Shazam integration, allowing users to identify music playing around them from the wrist.
Apple says privacy is central to the new Audio Intelligence features. According to the company, the features do not create or store audio recordings.
The S11 chip includes a Secure Exclave, a hardware-isolated component that processes audio separately from the rest of the system before deleting the raw audio.
Apple says Live Rewind and Siri Recap do not identify or attribute individual speakers. Siri Recap generates a high-level summary rather than a complete transcript and is designed to exclude sensitive information.
Users can also choose whether to enable individual Audio Intelligence features.
With watchOS 27, the Apple Watch Series 12 supports Siri AI, Apple's new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence.
The updated Siri can understand personal context and provide access to broader world knowledge. Apple is also introducing a new Siri app and a Siri Modular watch face that provides quicker access to the assistant.
Siri AI will initially roll out as a beta in English on September 14, with French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish support expected in October.
Apple Intelligence features require a compatible Apple device and supported language, with availability varying by region.
The Apple Watch Series 12 will ship with watchOS 27, which brings several additional features to the smartwatch.
The update introduces a dynamic app grid featuring Siri-suggested apps based on a user's most-used and recently used applications. It also adds a new single-handed tap gesture that allows users to interact with widgets using their thumb and index finger.
Smart Stack suggestions can now surface relevant information based on context, such as a parked-car reminder or a birthday message.
Apple is also expanding Cycle Tracking with support for perimenopause and menopause, while Workout Buddy is gaining additional fitness data and can work without an iPhone nearby when a Wi-Fi or cellular connection is available.
The aluminium Apple Watch Series 12 models feature Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says is 60 per cent tougher than the Ion-X glass used on previous aluminium models.
The smartwatch is also available in a new ceramic material in pearl white and night blue finishes.
Apple has introduced several new band colours alongside the Series 12, including olive, burgundy, wildflower blue and pale succulent for Sport Bands.
Apple Watch Series 12 is available for pre-order in India from September 10, with sales beginning September 18.
watchOS 27 will be available from September 14 for Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later. The update requires an iPhone 11 or later, or an iPhone SE (second generation or later), running iOS 27 or later.
Apple Intelligence features require a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled device. Siri AI will initially be available in English, with additional languages expected later.
Notably, Apple says Hypertension Notifications will not initially be available in India on the Apple Watch Series 12 or Apple Watch Ultra 4.
The feature is awaiting additional regulatory clearances and is expected to become available next year.
Apple says the Apple Watch Series 12 contains 40 per cent recycled material overall. The aluminium models use 100 per cent recycled aluminium, while the titanium models use 100 per cent recycled titanium.
Apple also says all electricity used to manufacture the Apple Watch Series 12 comes from renewable sources across its supply chain.
The company continues to target carbon neutrality across its entire footprint by 2030.
The Apple Watch Series 12 brings several major changes over its predecessor, with health sensing and AI among the key upgrades.
The new Health Sensing System enables more frequent heart rate and HRV readings, while the readiness score gives users a single daily measure based on activity, sleep and physiological data.
The S11 chip also enables new Audio Intelligence features, while watchOS 27 brings Siri AI and several interface and fitness updates.
With a starting price of Rs 56,900 in India, the Apple Watch Series 12 is positioned as Apple's latest flagship smartwatch for users looking for advanced health tracking, fitness monitoring and AI-powered features on the wrist.
