Apple Watch Series 12 Launching in September With These New Features

The new Apple Watch Series 12 is almost here, with its expected launch just two months away. As the excitement builds, we've gathered all the whispered rumors about its potential new features. Some of these predictions seem quite likely to happen, while others are less certain. Join us as we explore what might be coming to your wrist next!

Below, we've broken down all the rumored features we've heard about for the Apple Watch Series 12 so far. We'll start with the changes that are expected to be more probable.

What's More Likely to Happen

A Brand New Chip After a Year's Break

For those who've been keeping track, the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 all used the same S10 chip that was in the models from the year before. This meant there wasn't a big jump in performance for a whole year. But good news! Leaked information from Apple's own code suggests that the Apple Watch Series 12 will finally get a new chip.

It's not clear yet whether this new chip will be called the S11 or the S12. However, what is certain is that after a year without major chip upgrades, users can definitely expect to see better performance. This could mean apps load faster, the watch feels snappier, and overall operations are smoother. This change is a significant one for users who want their smartwatches to keep up with the latest technology and offer a more responsive experience.

Significantly Longer Battery Life

One of the most requested features for any portable device is a longer battery life, and it seems Apple is listening! A well-known leaker on Weibo, a popular Chinese social media platform, has indicated that Apple is really focusing on improving the battery life for the Apple Watch Series 12. This is great news for everyone who wants to use their watch for longer without having to constantly charge it.

To put this into perspective, the current Apple Watch Series 11 is advertised to last up to 24 hours on a single charge. If you use its Low Power Mode, that can extend to about 38 hours. With the Series 12, we could see these numbers improve, meaning less time tethered to a charger and more time enjoying your watch's features throughout the day and possibly even for a couple of days on a single charge under certain conditions. This emphasis on battery life suggests Apple understands the importance of convenience and reliability for its users.

What's Less Likely to Happen (But Still Rumored)

Touch ID for Unlocking Your Watch

Imagine unlocking your Apple Watch with just a touch of your finger, much like you might do with an iPhone or iPad. This convenience might be coming to the Apple Watch Series 12, according to some leaked Apple code. The idea is that the Touch ID sensor would probably be built directly into the side button of the Apple Watch. This would allow you to unlock your device using your fingerprint instead of having to type in a passcode every time.

While finding references to Touch ID in Apple's code is exciting, it's important to remember that such findings don't always guarantee a feature will make it into the final product. Apple often experiments with different technologies, and some ideas never leave the testing phase. In fact, one leaker has already denied this specific rumor. Furthermore, trusted sources who usually have accurate information, like Mark Gurman from Bloomberg and Apple supply chain expert Ming-Chi Kuo, haven't mentioned Touch ID coming to the Apple Watch this year. This makes the possibility of Touch ID appearing on the Series 12 less probable, despite the initial code discovery. It's a promising idea, but we might have to wait a bit longer for it.

Health Sensors Built Into the Watch Band

This rumor is quite interesting and would be a significant change for the Apple Watch. A leaker known as Kosutami has made a rather bold claim: that the Apple Watch Series 12 will feature a watch band that contains at least one health sensor. This would be a first for the Apple Watch lineup. Currently, all existing Apple Watch models have their health sensors built directly into the main body of the watch, specifically on the back that touches your wrist.

Moving sensors into the band could open up new possibilities for health tracking, perhaps allowing for different types of measurements or more accurate readings from a different part of the wrist. However, this is considered a "sketchy" rumor, meaning it's not from a source with a consistently strong track record, or the claim itself seems a bit far-fetched without further corroboration. Integrating sensitive electronics into a flexible watch band presents unique engineering challenges, including durability, water resistance, and how the band connects and communicates with the watch. While innovative, the technical hurdles and the lack of strong support from more reliable sources make this feature seem less likely for the upcoming Series 12. It's certainly a concept that could revolutionize wearables, but it might be something for the distant future rather than the immediate next generation.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11

This article, "Apple Watch Series 12 Launching in September With These New Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com.

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