Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Announced With Health Upgrades
The inclusion of a 128GB storage setting in the watchOS 27 beta, while the current models have 64GB, suggests Apple is preparing a significant capacity upgrade, which could enable more on-device health data and apps.
Key Facts
- Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 at an event on September 10, 2026, Japan time.
- The new watches feature a heart rate sensor that measures every 5 seconds, with a noise value 10 to 20 percent smaller than before.
- A new app called Readiness is placed next to the Workout app in the default home screen layout of watchOS 27.
- The watchOS 27 beta includes a 128GB storage setting for the T8320 chip, up from the current 64GB.
- Strength training recording is enhanced to save per-set details such as reps, weight, equipment used, body part, and time.
Reporting from 3 sources: GAME Watch (Impress), ASCII.jp, GIGAZINE.
At its September 9 event, Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, alongside a new health-focused app. The watches feature an improved heart rate sensor that measures every 5 seconds and a new 'Readiness' app, separate from the existing Vitals app, placed next to the Workout app in the default layout. The app is not yet in the beta, so its exact function is unconfirmed, but it is expected to tell users how recovered they are and whether they are ready for exercise. Strength training recording is also enhanced, allowing per-set logs of reps, weight, equipment, body part, and time. The storage capacity is rumored to double to 128GB, based on a setting found in the watchOS 27 beta for the chip T8320. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that the new Apple Watch would strengthen health and fitness features. The announcement was made at the event held at 2:00 AM Japan time on September 10, 2026.
- GAME Watch and GIGAZINE both frame the event around the iPhone announcements, but only ASCII.jp's "Apple Rumor Information Bureau" column details the four beta findings ahead of the announcement.
- The beta evidence comes from a forum user named "pdfu" on MacRumors, who examined watchOS 27 and iOS 27 developer builds and found the clues.
- On the revamped heart rate sensor, the "noise" value is about 10 to 20 percent smaller than before, and the sensor can switch measurement method based on which wrist the watch is worn on and the Digital Crown's orientation.
- Strength training logs are described as working like a gym training log, replacing the older, simpler record of only total minutes of strength training.
- The 128GB setting is only for the chip "T8320," and watchOS 26 included both 64GB and 128GB options while the watchOS 27 beta reportedly includes only the 128GB one.
- The Readiness app is placed next to the Workout app in the default watchOS 27 home screen layout, but is not yet in the beta, so its contents are unconfirmed.
- Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in August that the new Apple Watch would strengthen health and fitness features, ahead of the September 10 event.
Written with AI by Yomimono from the 3 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited. See our editorial policy.