The Apple Watch Series 12 is now available, two years after the Series 10 introduced the current slimmer design. But is it worth upgrading?
While last year’s Series 11 only brought four changes, the Series 12 is a much more substantial update, with a new chip, twice the RAM, redesigned health sensors, exclusive health and audio features, tougher cover glass, 5G connectivity, and new case materials.
The Series 12 starts at the same price of $399 as the Series 10 in 2024. Apple has now discontinued the Series 10, but remaining units may still be available from third-party retailers and on the refurbished or used market. Here are all the main hardware and functional differences between the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Series 12:
| Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch Series 12 |
|---|---|
| S10 chip (2024) | S11 chip (2026) |
| 2 GB of RAM | 4 GB of RAM |
| Electric heart sensor | Health detection system with second generation electric heart sensor |
| Third generation optical heart sensor | Fourth generation permanent optical heart sensor |
| Periodic background heart rate tracking | Background heart rate tracking at high frequency every five seconds |
| Heart rate variability | Recovery HRV and overall HRV, measured up to 24 times more frequently |
| Vitals app with heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature and sleep duration | Vitals app with heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration and HRV, plus daytime vitals |
| Preparation app with daily score and recommendation | |
| Follow standard steps | Redesigned pedometer design with more accurate step tracking throughout the day |
| Watch face complication steps | |
| Audio intelligence including Live Rewind, Siri Recap, sound recognition and faster Shazam | |
| Ion-X front glass (aluminum models) | Ceramic Shield 2, 60% stronger than Ion-X (aluminum models) |
| Metal back and sapphire crystal | Back in metal or ceramic and zirconia matching the case |
| Aluminum or titanium housing | Aluminum, titanium or ceramic housing |
| Aluminum: Jet black, Rose gold and Silver | Aluminum: Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black and Space Gray |
| Titanium: Slate, Gold and Natural | Titanium: Radiant and Natural Gold |
| Ceramic: Pearl White and Midnight Blue | |
| Hermes: Silver titanium | Hermes: Titanium Silver and Radiant Gold |
| LTE and UMTS (cellular models) | LTE and 5G RedCap (cellular models) |
| Up to 18 hours of normal use | Up to 24 hours of normal use |
| Up to 36 hours in low power mode | Up to 38 hours in low power mode |
| 15 minutes of charging for up to eight hours of normal use | 15 minutes charge for up to 12 hours of normal use |
| Eight minutes of charging for up to eight hours of sleep tracking | Five minutes of charging for up to 10 hours of sleep tracking |
| Now abandoned | From $399 |
Design and display
The 12 Series retains the same basic design introduced by the 10 Series, including 42mm and 46mm size options and a 9.7mm thick case. Nonetheless, Apple has made some subtle dimensional changes. Both sizes are now 1mm wider and each equivalent aluminum or titanium configuration weighs between 2.1 and 3.3 grams more than its Series 10 counterpart.
At the same time, the display has shrunk slightly. The resolution is unchanged, but the active display area is approximately 2% smaller in both sizes. The combination of a wider, recessed case and a smaller screen produces thicker bezels around the screen.
Here’s how to compare the 46mm models:
| 46mm | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch Series 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 46mm x 39mm x 9.7mm | 46mm x 40mm x 9.7mm |
| Resolution | 416 x 496 pixels | 416 x 496 pixels |
| Display area | 1,220 mm² | 1,196 mm² |
| Aluminum (GPS) | 36.4 grams | 39.5 grams |
| Aluminum (cellular) | 35.3 grams | 38.6 grams |
| Titanium | 41.7 grams | 44.9 grams |
The 42mm models compare as follows:
| 42mm | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch Series 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 42mm x 36mm x 9.7mm | 42mm x 37mm x 9.7mm |
| Resolution | 374 x 446 pixels | 374 x 446 pixels |
| Display area | 989 mm² | 970 mm² |
| Aluminum (GPS) | 30 grams | 32.2 grams |
| Aluminum (cellular) | 29.3 grams | 31.5 grams |
| Titanium | 34.4 grams | 36.5 grams |
Series 12 also marks the return of a ceramic Apple Watch for the first time since the Series 5 edition in 2019. The ceramic models are larger and heavier than their aluminum and titanium counterparts:
| Ceramic | 46mm | 42mm |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 47mm x 41mm x 9.85mm | 43mm x 37mm x 9.85mm |
| Pearl white | 51.3 grams | 41.7 grams |
| Midnight blue | 52.9 grams | 42.8 grams |
Is it worth upgrading?
Two generations later, the 12 series represents a significant cumulative upgrade over the 10 series, but it’s far from an essential replacement. Both models share the same basic design, screen brightness, resolution, storage capacity, basic security features, and more. The Series 10 is only two years old and supports watchOS 27 and Siri AI, so it’s still a capable, modern Apple Watch.
For existing Series 10 owners, the upgrade is easier to justify if health and fitness tracking is a priority. High-frequency heart rate detection, recovery HRV, daytime vitals, readiness score and enhanced step tracking provide much more useful training and recovery data. Sound recognition can be compelling for deaf or hard-of-hearing users, while 5G, faster charging, tougher protective glass on aluminum models, and ceramic casing provide additional reasons for some buyers to upgrade.
Beyond that, the practical difference between the two devices is relatively small. The 12 Series is also slightly wider and heavier, and its active display area is about 2% smaller despite maintaining the same resolution. Its 24-hour battery life also isn’t directly comparable to the Series 10’s 18-hour battery life, as Apple has changed its testing methodology. If your Series 10 still lasts comfortably all day and you’re happy with its existing health features, there’s no good general reason to replace it.
Which one to buy today?
At its starting price of $399, the Series 12 is the obvious choice over a Series 10 selling for close to its original price. The newest model offers a better health detection system, twice the RAM, the S11 chip, exclusive Audio Intelligence features, faster charging, 5G, and more case options. A savings of just $50 to $100 is unlikely to make up for forgoing these improvements.
The Series 10 becomes attractive when it’s at least about $150 cheaper than an equivalent Series 12 and is in excellent condition. It still offers an always-on display, ECG, temperature detection, sleep apnea and hypertension notifications, advanced workout tracking, and Siri AI. Buyers should pay close attention to battery condition and warranty coverage, as replacing a degraded battery could quickly eat into savings.
