Apple Watch Series 12 expected to add always-on heart-rate monitoring and new health app design

Apple is reportedly preparing several health-focused upgrades for the next-generation Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. The company is testing an always-on heart-rate sensor that would record data throughout the day rather than only during workouts, and a redesigned health and fitness app intended to present a broader set of wellness metrics.

Apple is also working on revamping its fitness and health app software to show more wellness-related metrics, similar to offerings from Whoop and Oura, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said.

In addition to software changes, Apple is evaluating two ceramic case finishes for the Series 12: a traditional white and a dark gray, along with a range of new band colors and configurations. The current watch design, introduced in 2024, is described as a modest refinement that reduced bezel size. Bloomberg notes that Apple aims to launch a more substantial redesign for the watch line as early as next year, though the timeline could shift to the following year.