Apple Launches Series 12 Watch Featuring Ceramic Finish and Upgraded Sensors

Apple has introduced the Watch Series 12 alongside the Watch Ultra 4, bringing a polished ceramic finish back to the lineup for the first time since 2019. The new smartwatch range also includes aluminium and titanium models, with the ceramic version available in pearl white and night blue. Pricing in India starts at Rs 56,900 for the aluminium model, Rs 99,900 for the titanium version, and Rs 124,900 for the ceramic finish. The ceramic edition features a durable sapphire front crystal to handle daily wear and workouts.

Hardware and Health

The device features a redesigned sensor array shared with the Watch Ultra 4, upgrading the electrical heart sensor from two electrodes to 32 for more consistent ECG readings. Background heart-rate checks now occur every five seconds instead of every five minutes. These frequent readings feed into a new readiness score that updates throughout the day without requiring a subscription. The S11 chip separates background tasks from main functions and includes a secure subsystem to protect personal and health data.

Battery and Charging

Battery life reaches up to 24 hours of normal use or 38 hours in Low Power Mode, while outdoor workout tracking lasts up to 10 hours. The watch charges faster, reaching 80 per cent power in about 30 minutes. A 15-minute charge provides up to 12 hours of normal use, and a five-minute charge supports up to 10 hours of sleep tracking. Some audio intelligence tools like Live Rewind and Siri recap have not launched yet, and the watch requires an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 27.

Context

Wearable fitness devices have increasingly shifted toward continuous health tracking and recovery metrics rather than just step counting during workouts. Brands often use subscription models for advanced insights like readiness scores, making free feature integration a notable choice in the market. Upgrading depends heavily on which older generation a user is currently carrying.