Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 in late-stage testing, focus on health features and new chip
Apple is testing the Series 12 and Ultra 4 watches, which will retain current designs but add health-tracking upgrades and a new processor, while a new SE model is not expected this year.
Apple is preparing to unveil its next-generation Apple Watch lineup in September, including the Series 12 and Ultra 4 models, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. Both watches are in late-stage testing and will be offered in Wi-Fi-only and cellular variants.
Gurman said the devices will not receive a major design overhaul; instead, Apple is concentrating on internal improvements such as enhanced health and fitness tracking and a new chip that promises faster performance. The last substantial processor change occurred with the Series 9 and Ultra 2 in 2023, and the upcoming chip is expected to deliver a noticeable speed boost.
DigiTimes reported that Apple is refining its high-blood-pressure notification feature, though details on additional health functions remain unclear. Gurman also noted that a new Apple Watch SE is not planned for this cycle, following the SE 3 release last year.
Looking ahead, Gurman indicated that Apple is working on a broader redesign of the watch platform, but that it is unlikely to appear for another one to two years. The company continues to pursue a blood-sugar detection capability, a project dating back to the company's early days.