Apple Watch will reportedly get a big redesign, but not this year

Reports regarding the upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 suggest the device will feature leaked specifications ahead of Apple's scheduled fall event. According to coverage from ExtremeTech, the next iteration of the wearable could offer constant heart rate tracking, a move that would address what Gizmodo describes as a long-term sensor shortcoming. The focus remains on the technical capabilities and sensor improvements arriving with the new hardware cycle. Multiple technology outlets are tracking these updates with varying emphases. Cult of Mac reports that these changes may allow the Apple Watch Series 12 to finally catch up to competitors such as Fitbit and Whoop.

Meanwhile, Macworld is focusing on the specific leaked features emerging before the fall event. The coverage highlights a shift toward more aggressive health monitoring, as ExtremeTech emphasizes the potential for the device to move toward continuous heart rate monitoring rather than periodic sampling. Contextual reporting from 9to5mac suggests that hardware updates may be paired with software enhancements. There is speculation regarding a revamped Health app that could debut next month, potentially incorporating an AI health coach. This combination of sensor improvements and artificial intelligence suggests a strategic push to deepen the device's health utility.

The mention of Fitbit and Whoop indicates that Apple is responding to the standards set by specialized fitness trackers that have long prioritized constant biometric data collection. Looking forward, observers are waiting for Apple's fall event to confirm the actual specifications of the Series 12. The primary points of interest will be whether the device implements the reported constant heart rate tracking and if the AI-driven health coach arrives within the Health app next month.