Why the author upgraded from Apple Watch Series 10 to Series 12

The author upgraded from an Apple Watch Series 10 to Series 12 despite buying the earlier model only in January. The Series 10 originally launched in September 2024.

Health features drove the decision: an improved heart-rate monitor, the new Readiness app and a redesigned Health experience. The author also reports that the Series 12 feels faster overall, particularly when using Siri.

Design changes remain limited

The Apple Watch Series 10 and Series 12 largely share the same design. The author says the newer model may even have slightly thicker bezels, but that was not an issue because they use a watch face with a black background.

Broader health tracking

In the author’s view, earlier Apple Watch models mainly offered activity rings and scattered information in Health. Series 12 presents more comprehensive and useful health data in one place.

The author is still wearing WHOOP to compare the devices over a longer period. For now, however, they believe Apple Health holds up well against the service, whose subscription costs $239 per year.

Overall, the Series 12 is described as evidence that Apple Watch is taking health tracking more seriously rather than treating it as an afterthought.