Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Expected to Feature New High-Performance Chip

Apple is preparing to release the next generation of its smartwatch line, the Series 12 and Ultra 4, in the coming month. Industry reports suggest the devices will be equipped with a new S-class chip, possibly designated S11 or S12, marking the first substantive processor upgrade for the watch since the S9 model in 2023. The upgrade is expected to deliver a noticeable increase in speed, according to analyst Mark Gurman, who described it as a “long-awaited bump in chips and speed.”

The timing aligns with the rollout of watchOS 27, which introduces an AI-enhanced version of Siri across Apple’s platforms. The new chip is anticipated to better handle the more demanding AI workloads, addressing performance concerns observed in the watchOS 27 beta where Siri responsiveness was reported as slower on older hardware. The updated processor could therefore be a key factor in delivering a smoother user experience for the new AI features.

Apple has not yet confirmed the specifications, but the rumored chip upgrade is seen as a significant step for the smartwatch line, which has historically seen only incremental CPU improvements with each annual release.