Apple has released the Apple Watch Series 12, the successor to the Series 10 that arrives after a two-year gap. The Series 10, introduced in 2024, has been discontinued by Apple, though it may remain available through third-party, refurbished, and second-hand sellers. The Series 12 starts at $399, the same launch price the Series 10 carried in 2024.
Price and availability
At $399, the Series 12 enters the market at a familiar price point. The Series 10 is no longer sold directly by Apple, but buyers can still find it through other channels. This creates a straightforward comparison: a new Series 12 at full price versus a discounted Series 10 from a third party.
Design and display
At a glance, the Series 12 and Series 10 share the same overall design language, display brightness, resolution, and storage options. But the details reveal meaningful differences. The Series 12 retains the 42mm and 46mm case sizes and a 9.7mm thickness, yet its cases are 1mm wider than the equivalent Series 10 models. It is also heavier: aluminum and titanium configurations add between 2.1 and 3.3 grams compared to the Series 10.
Despite the wider case, the Series 12’s display area is about 2% smaller than the Series 10’s. Resolution remains unchanged, and the screen borders are thicker. The Series 12 also introduces a ceramic case option for the first time since the Series 5 Edition in 2019. Ceramic models are larger and heavier than their aluminum and titanium counterparts. The 46mm ceramic case measures 47mm x 41mm x 9.85mm and weighs 51.3 grams in Pearl White or 52.9 grams in Night Blue. The 42mm ceramic case measures 43mm x 37mm x 9.85mm and weighs 41.7 grams in Pearl White or 42.8 grams in Night Blue.
Chip, RAM, and performance
Under the hood, the Series 12 runs on the S11 chip, while the Series 10 uses the S10 chip. The newer model also doubles RAM to 4GB, up from 2GB in the Series 10. This should translate to smoother performance and better multitasking, though the Series 10 remains a capable device.
Health and fitness features
The most substantial upgrades in the Series 12 are in health sensing. The Series 12 uses a new Health Sensing System with a second-generation electrical heart sensor, compared to the standard electrical heart sensor in the Series 10. It also features a fourth-generation always-on optical heart sensor, up from the third-generation sensor in the Series 10.
Background heart rate tracking is now every five seconds on the Series 12, whereas the Series 10 tracks periodically. The Series 12 measures Recovery HRV and overall HRV up to 24 times more frequently than the Series 10. The Vitals app on the Series 12 includes heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, HRV, and daytime vitals. The Series 10’s Vitals app covers heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, and sleep duration.
Apple has also added a Readiness app to the Series 12, which provides a daily score and recommendation. Step tracking has been improved with a redesigned pedometer model for more accurate all-day step counting, and a new Steps watch face complication is available. The Series 10 offers standard step tracking.
Audio Intelligence and other features
The Series 12 introduces Audio Intelligence features including Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Sound Recognition, and faster Shazam. Sound Recognition may be particularly useful for deaf or hard-of-hearing users. The Series 10 does not include these features.
Materials, colors, and durability
Aluminum models of the Series 12 use Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says is 60% tougher than Ion-X. The Series 10 aluminum models use Ion-X front glass. The Series 12 also has a case-matched metal or ceramic and zirconia back, while the Series 10 has a metal and sapphire crystal back.
Case options for the Series 12 include aluminum, titanium, and ceramic. The Series 10 was available in aluminum and titanium. Aluminum colors for the Series 12 are Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, and Space Gray. The Series 10 came in Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Silver. Titanium colors for the Series 12 are Radiant Gold and Natural, compared to Slate, Gold, and Natural for the Series 10. Ceramic colors are Pearl White and Night Blue. Hermès titanium colors for the Series 12 are Silver and Radiant Gold, while the Series 10 Hermès titanium was only available in Silver.
Connectivity and battery
Cellular models of the Series 12 support LTE and 5G RedCap. The Series 10 cellular models support LTE and UMTS. Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours of normal use and 38 hours in Low Power Mode for the Series 12. The Series 10 was rated at up to 18 hours of normal use and 36 hours in Low Power Mode. However, Apple changed its battery testing methodology, so the ratings are not directly comparable.
Charging is faster on the Series 12: 15 minutes provides up to 12 hours of normal use, and 5 minutes provides up to 10 hours of sleep tracking. The Series 10 charged to 8 hours of normal use in 15 minutes and 8 hours of sleep tracking in 8 minutes.
Upgrade advice for Series 10 owners
MacRumors, which published a buyer’s guide comparison, describes the Series 12 as a meaningful cumulative upgrade over the Series 10, but not an essential replacement. The Series 10 remains capable and modern, supporting watchOS 27 and Siri AI. It still offers an always-on display, ECG, temperature sensing, sleep apnea and hypertension notifications, and advanced workout tracking.
The Series 12 is worth upgrading for mainly if you value health and fitness tracking. It offers more useful training and recovery data, and the Sound Recognition feature may appeal to users with hearing challenges. The addition of 5G, faster charging, tougher cover glass on aluminum models, and the ceramic case option further distinguish it.
Buying advice: Series 12 vs discounted Series 10
At $399, MacRumors calls the Series 12 the obvious choice over a Series 10 near its original price. However, a used Series 10 becomes attractive if it is at least $150 cheaper than an equivalent Series 12 and in excellent condition. Buyers should check battery health and warranty coverage on any used Series 10.
For those who already own a Series 10, the decision is less urgent. The Series 10 introduced in 2024 remains a solid device, and the Series 11 brought only four changes. The Series 12 is a more substantial update, but it is not a must-have for every Series 10 owner. If health and fitness tracking is a priority, the Series 12 delivers clear improvements. Otherwise, a well-priced Series 10 can still serve well.
