98
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%★ Editors' ChoiceSep 17, 2026
“Apple’s flagship watch just got even better, with a new, faster S11-series chip and improved continuous heart rate monitoring.”
By Jane McGuire · Rated 5/5Full review
Watch
Apple Watch Series 12
Apple · From $399
Release date Sep 18, 2026
89
Critical Gold
Based on 8 Critic Reviews
6 with a published score, 2 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Oct 13, 2026
Early score: only 8 reviews so far
4 Rave4 Positive
Critics' Take
Critics call the Series 12 the best mainline Apple Watch yet, led by a new heart rate sensor that samples every few seconds, a faster chip, a Readiness score and quicker charging. The design and 24 hour battery rating are unchanged, and several audio features were not available at launch. Reviewers advise Series 11 owners to skip it, while owners of a Series 9 or older get a bigger gain.
What critics loved
- New heart rate sensing and HRV tracking
- Faster S11-series chip
- Daily Readiness score
- Quicker charging at an unchanged $399 start
Common gripes
- Same 24 hour battery rating
- Design and display barely changed
- Live Rewind and Siri Recap not available at launch
- Small upgrade over the Series 11
- Some units showed lag or resets (Macworld)
Critic Scorecard
8 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:Tier 1 outlet, weighted 100%100%Tier 2 outlet, weighted 75%75%Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%40%Tier 4 outlet, weighted 20%20%
96
Mark Ellis ReviewsTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Oct 13, 2026
“The aluminium Apple Watch Series 12 remains the sensible buy for most people.”
By Mark Ellis · Rated 9/10Full review
95
EngadgetTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Sep 17, 2026
“The new health sensing system is a meaningful overhaul, while the expansion of gesture support has the potential to enable more hands-free interactions with your watch.”
By Cherlynn Low · Rated 9.1/10Full review
95
Trusted ReviewsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 8, 2026
“Look beyond the lack of visual differences, and the Apple Watch Series 12 is a surprisingly big upgrade to the best smartwatch for iPhone owners.”
By Max Parker · Rated 4.5/5Full review
83
T3Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Oct 6, 2026
“The Apple Watch Series 12 is undoubtedly the best mainline Apple Watch yet.”
By Matt Kollat · Rated 4/5Full review
80
BGRTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Sep 24, 2026
“Ultimately, the Apple Watch Series 12 is worth considering for anyone upgrading from a Series 9 or older — the health sensing platform alone justifies the price.”
By Christian de Looper · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Show 2 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
79
iPhone in CanadaTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Sep 30, 2026
“Series 12 doesn't make the Apple Watch exciting again by radically changing what it is.”
By Steve Vegvari · Unrated, scored from textFull review
76
MacworldTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 6, 2026
“But there are too many missteps: inconsistent battery life and charging speed, moments of sluggishness, and unspecified delays to two flagship new features.”
By David Price · Rated 3.5/5Full review
96
Mark Ellis ReviewsTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Oct 13, 2026
“The aluminium Apple Watch Series 12 remains the sensible buy for most people.”
By Mark Ellis · Rated 9/10Full review
95
Trusted ReviewsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 8, 2026
“Look beyond the lack of visual differences, and the Apple Watch Series 12 is a surprisingly big upgrade to the best smartwatch for iPhone owners.”
By Max Parker · Rated 4.5/5Full review
83
T3Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Oct 6, 2026
“The Apple Watch Series 12 is undoubtedly the best mainline Apple Watch yet.”
By Matt Kollat · Rated 4/5Full review
76
MacworldTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Oct 6, 2026
“But there are too many missteps: inconsistent battery life and charging speed, moments of sluggishness, and unspecified delays to two flagship new features.”
By David Price · Rated 3.5/5Full review
79
iPhone in CanadaTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Sep 30, 2026
“Series 12 doesn't make the Apple Watch exciting again by radically changing what it is.”
By Steve Vegvari · Unrated, scored from textFull review
80
BGRTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Sep 24, 2026
“Ultimately, the Apple Watch Series 12 is worth considering for anyone upgrading from a Series 9 or older — the health sensing platform alone justifies the price.”
By Christian de Looper · Unrated, scored from textFull review
Show 2 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
98
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%★ Editors' ChoiceSep 17, 2026
“Apple’s flagship watch just got even better, with a new, faster S11-series chip and improved continuous heart rate monitoring.”
By Jane McGuire · Rated 5/5Full review
95
EngadgetTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Sep 17, 2026
“The new health sensing system is a meaningful overhaul, while the expansion of gesture support has the potential to enable more hands-free interactions with your watch.”
By Cherlynn Low · Rated 9.1/10Full review
Quick Facts
- Sizes
- 42mm and 46mm
- Chip
- S11-series
- Heart rate sensing
- New sensor system with readings about every five seconds
- Battery life
- About 24 hours
- Finishes
- Aluminum, titanium and ceramic, eight colors
- Software
- watchOS 27, Readiness score
- Price
- From $399 (42mm GPS); 46mm GPS $449; ceramic costs about $500 more per Engadget
