Apple Watch Series 12 debuts with new health sensing system, HRV, S11 chip

Apple has introduced the Apple Watch Series 12 with a new Health Sensing System, S11 chip, higher-frequency heart rate and HRV monitoring, and a new readiness score. The smartwatch starts at Php 28,990 in the Philippines.

The Apple Watch Series 12 measures heart rate every five seconds throughout the day through its updated optical heart sensor. Apple also increased HRV measurement frequency by up to 24 times and added recovery HRV and overall HRV data to the Heart Rate app.

The new readiness feature uses recent activity, training load, vitals, and sleep score to generate a 0–10 score. It then gives one of four recommendations: Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, or Go For It. The score can change throughout the day as new health and workout data comes in.

Battery life remains at up to 24 hours for everyday use, while outdoor workouts can now run for up to 10 hours. Apple also improved charging, with 15 minutes of charging providing up to 12 hours of additional battery life.

Apple also redesigned the pedometer model with new machine learning algorithms. The updated system improves distance measurements during indoor walking and running workouts, while the S11 chip improves step counting throughout the day. A new Steps complication puts the count directly on the watch face.

The S11 chip also brings Sound Recognition and Shazam to the Apple Watch. Sound Recognition can detect sounds such as sirens, alarms, doorbells, and a baby crying. Shazam can identify music and show the song title and artist through the Smart Stack. Apple says the audio processing happens on-device through the S11 chip's Secure Exclave, with no audio recordings stored.

For users in the Philippines, watchOS 27 adds sleep apnea notifications to the Apple Watch. The feature analyzes breathing disturbance data every 30 days and can alert users when the data shows consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea.

The update also adds a dynamic app grid, a new single-handed tap gesture for Smart Stack widgets, smarter widget suggestions, and support for perimenopause and menopause in Cycle Tracking.

Apple Watch Series 12 comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with aluminum, titanium, and ceramic options. Aluminum models come in dark bronze, black, light gold, and space gray, while titanium models come in radiant gold and natural titanium. The ceramic version comes in pearl white and night blue.

Apple Watch Series 12 is coming soon to the Philippines with a starting price of Php 28,990. watchOS 27 will roll out on September 14 for compatible Apple Watch models.

Source: Apple