Apple Watch Series 12 Launched in India at ₹56,900: New Health Sensors, Readiness Score and S11 Chip

Apple has launched the Apple Watch Series 12 in India alongside the new Apple Watch Ultra 4, bringing upgraded health sensors, more frequent heart-rate monitoring, a new Readiness score and Apple Intelligence-powered features to its smartwatch lineup.

The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at ₹56,900 in India, while the Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at ₹1,09,900. Pre-orders begin on September 12, with both models scheduled to go on sale from September 18.

The biggest upgrade is Apple’s new Health Sensing System, which combines redesigned optical and electrical heart sensors with the new S11 chip. Apple says the system delivers its most accurate heart-rate sensing in a wearable, based on a study involving more than 1,000 participants.

Apple Watch Series 12 Health Tracking Features

The Apple Watch Series 12 can measure heart rate every five seconds throughout the day using larger, power-efficient green LEDs in its optical heart sensor.

This continuous monitoring is designed to provide more detailed information about fitness and physiological changes while also improving the accuracy of Apple’s Exercise and Move activity measurements.

Apple has also increased the frequency of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measurements. HRV can now be measured as often as every five minutes, which Apple says is up to 24 times more frequently than before.

The watch provides two HRV measurements: Recovery HRV, aimed at identifying daily stress and recovery signals, and overall HRV, intended to provide broader health and cardiovascular insights.

The Overnight Vitals feature can also compare Recovery HRV against a user’s personal baseline, while a new daytime view allows users to switch between daytime and overnight health measurements.

Apple Watch Series 12 Readiness Score Explained

One of the headline additions is the new Readiness feature.

The Apple Watch Series 12 analyses recent activity, training load, vitals and sleep data before producing a daily score from 0 to 10.

The score comes with one of four recommendations:

• Recover
• Pace Yourself
• Ready
• Go For It

The idea is to help users understand how prepared their body is for the day, whether they are planning a workout or simply deciding how much activity to take on.

Apple says Readiness can update during the day as new information, such as an intense workout or changes in daytime vitals, becomes available.

New S11 Chip Improves Step Tracking

The S11 chip powers the Apple Watch Series 12 and enables several of its new capabilities.

Apple has redesigned the watch’s pedometer system using new machine-learning algorithms to improve distance measurements during indoor walking and running workouts.

The company also says the S11 chip enables more accurate step counting throughout the day. A new Steps complication lets users see their step count directly from the watch face.

Apple Watch Series 12 Gets Audio Intelligence

Apple is also bringing Audio Intelligence features to the Apple Watch Series 12.

The feature uses the built-in microphone, S11 chip and Apple Intelligence to help users catch sounds or parts of conversations they may have missed and remember important moments.

Features include Live Rewind, Siri Recap and Sound Recognition.

Live Rewind can show a text snippet from the previous 15 seconds of detected audio. Siri Recap can generate a high-level summary of a conversation that users can review later.

Apple says users remain in control of these features. The company also states that Audio Intelligence does not create or store audio recordings, with raw audio processed in an isolated hardware environment and immediately deleted.

These features are designed with privacy indicators and controls, including an audible signal when Live Rewind is activated.

Siri AI Comes to Apple Watch

With watchOS 27, the Apple Watch Series 12 also gains Siri AI capabilities powered by Apple Intelligence.

Apple says Siri can use personal context and broader world knowledge to provide more useful responses directly from the wrist.

A new Siri Modular watch face also makes it easier to access Siri throughout the day.

The watch can additionally use Shazam to identify music playing nearby and display the song information directly on the device.

Apple Watch Series 12 Battery Life and Charging

Despite the additional health and AI capabilities, Apple says the Apple Watch Series 12 can provide up to 24 hours of everyday battery life.

During an outdoor workout, it can deliver up to 10 hours of battery life, which Apple says is 25% more than the previous model.

Charging has also been improved. A 15-minute charge can provide up to 12 hours of additional battery life, according to Apple.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 Battery Life

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is designed for users who need longer battery life for outdoor activities.

It offers up to 50 hours of normal battery life, while Low Power Mode can extend this to as much as 84 hours.

For outdoor workouts with full GPS and heart-rate readings, the new Extended Workout mode can provide up to 25 hours of tracking.

A Max Extended Workout mode can extend outdoor running, walking and hiking tracking to 45 hours, with GPS readings taken every second.

Apple Watch Series 12 Design and Sizes

The Apple Watch Series 12 comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes.

Aluminium models are available in dark bronze, black, light gold and space gray finishes. Titanium versions are offered in radiant gold and natural titanium.

Apple has also introduced ceramic versions of the Series 12 in pearl white and night blue finishes.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is available in natural titanium and black titanium.

Apple Watch Series 12 Price in India

The Apple Watch Series 12 price in India starts at ₹56,900.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 price in India starts at ₹1,09,900.

Both models are available for pre-order from September 12, with retail availability beginning September 18.

Apple Watch Series 12: Key Features

The major features of the new Apple Watch Series 12 include:

• New Health Sensing System
• Heart-rate measurements every five seconds
• Higher-frequency HRV measurements
• New 0-10 Readiness score
• Recovery HRV and overall HRV
• Redesigned Vitals experience
• S11 chip
• Improved step and distance tracking
• New Steps complication
• Audio Intelligence
• Live Rewind
• Siri Recap
• Sound Recognition
• Siri AI with watchOS 27
• Up to 24 hours of everyday battery life
• Up to 10 hours during outdoor workouts
• Faster charging
• 42mm and 46mm size options
• Aluminium, titanium and ceramic finishes

Apple Watch Series 12 vs Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Apple Watch Series 12 is positioned as the mainstream model, while the Ultra 4 targets athletes and outdoor users who need longer battery life and more rugged hardware.

Both models share the new Health Sensing System and S11 chip, along with the Readiness experience and new intelligence features. The Ultra 4 adds up to 50 hours of battery life and up to 45 hours of outdoor workout tracking.

For everyday users focused on health, fitness and smart features, the Series 12 offers the broader value proposition. The Ultra 4 is aimed more at users who regularly take part in long outdoor workouts, hikes and endurance activities.

Apple Watch Series 12: What Makes It Different?

The Apple Watch Series 12 represents a shift toward more continuous health monitoring rather than simply tracking steps and workouts.

The ability to measure heart rate every five seconds, monitor HRV more frequently and combine activity, sleep and vitals into a Readiness score gives users more context about their daily physical condition.

At the same time, Apple’s S11 chip introduces a new layer of on-device intelligence through features such as Audio Intelligence and improved Siri capabilities.

With a starting price of ₹56,900 in India, the Apple Watch Series 12 is positioned as Apple’s latest mainstream smartwatch, while the Ultra 4 provides the company’s higher-end option for demanding outdoor and fitness use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Apple Watch Series 12 price in India?

The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at ₹56,900 in India. Pre-orders begin September 12 and sales start September 18.

What is new in the Apple Watch Series 12?

The biggest additions include the new Health Sensing System, heart-rate readings every five seconds, higher-frequency HRV measurements, the 0-10 Readiness score, S11 chip and new Audio Intelligence features.

How much battery life does the Apple Watch Series 12 offer?

Apple says the Series 12 provides up to 24 hours of everyday battery life and up to 10 hours during outdoor workouts. A 15-minute charge can provide up to 12 hours of additional battery life.