Apple Watch Series 12 gets more frequent heart rate checks
The new Apple Watch Series 12 measures your heart rate every five seconds, which is 60 times more often than the previous model. Early testing found it closely matched specialized chest-strap monitors during cycling and running, with minor inaccuracies at higher heart rates and weightlifting. The step counter was generally accurate. The watch also features a faster chip and a readiness score for recovery insights.
- Measures heart rate every 5 seconds, vs once per minute before
- Accuracy nearly matched Polar H10 chest strap in most exercises
- Slightly less accurate during weightlifting, per reviewer tests
- New S11 chip, but battery life and design unchanged
- Step counter generally aligned with manual counts
Sources covering this
In this story
More in Gadgets
Apple launches AirPods 5 with better noise cancellation
Apple has unveiled the AirPods 5, which now offer active noise cancellation on all models, a first for this entry-level line. They're $129 for the standard version and $149 for a version with wireless charging. Apple says the new design blocks up to 50% more outside noise than the last model. Pre-orders begin today, with store availability set for September 18.
iPhone 18 Pro Will Add Variable Camera Aperture
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to introduce an adjustable aperture for its main camera lens—a first for Apple’s phone lineup. Sources say the rest of the phone won’t look or work much differently from last year’s model, and big camera changes will likely only be in that primary lens. This adjustment could allow for more creative photo effects, but the tiny sensor size probably limits real-world impact.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12 features leak ahead of launch
Apple’s expected to launch both a new Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12 soon, with reports pointing to faster chips, possibly called S11 or S12, and a handful of first-time features. Code in beta software teases a “Readiness” app for recovery tracking, more detailed strength workouts, boosted storage up to 128GB, and upgraded sensors for better health data. You might also need to brace for a price hike—the Ultra 4 could land above last year’s $799.
Apple's iPhone Duo foldable phone starts at $2,000
Apple will call its first foldable phone the iPhone Duo, not the previously rumored iPhone Ultra, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Pricing begins at $2,000 for a 256GB model, with premium versions reaching $3,000. Apple reportedly accepted higher costs due to memory parts shortages but chose not to start even higher, as earlier rumors suggested. The iPhone Duo could launch as early as October, in white or dark blue.