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Apple Watch Series 12

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PCMag ReviewsPosted

PCMag Reviews Apple Watch Series 12: Faster S11 Chip, Expanded AI, and $399 Starting Price

PCMag reviewed the Apple Watch Series 12, highlighting its faster S11 processor, upgraded Siri AI integration, and a reported battery life of up to 54 hours. The baseline 42mm aluminum model starts at $399, while larger 46mm, titanium, and ceramic editions command higher prices, with cellular connectivity adding $100 on aluminum builds. According to the reviewer, the smartwatch suits iPhone users seeking smarter on-wrist assistance, though it requires an iPhone 11 or later and showed minor sync bugs with conversation history during testing.

Read the original at PCMag Reviews

Published on Savlume: · Content updated: · Source published:

AI brief

From the source report

The PCMag review reports a $399 starting price and highlights more frequent heart-rate readings, contextual Siri features, and 54.5 hours of battery life in its testing. It may be worth considering if you use an iPhone and value those upgrades, but the review also reports occasional early workout heart-rate reading issues.

Best suited for
iPhone users interested in frequent heart-rate tracking, contextual Siri features, and the reviewer's reported battery performance.

Highlights

  • The reviewer measured 54.5 hours of battery life with the always-on display enabled and one GPS exercise per day, which could mean fewer charging interruptions for similar use.
  • Heart-rate readings are taken every five seconds, compared with every five minutes on the previous generation, providing more frequent measurements.
  • The reviewer reports that the watch charged to 100% in 55 minutes using the included magnetic puck and an 18W power adapter.

Before you buy

  • The $399 starting price is for the 42mm aluminum Bluetooth-only model; the source says 5G cellular adds $100.
  • The reviewer observed low or unavailable heart-rate readings during the first minutes of some workouts, though readings later aligned closely with a chest strap.
  • Compatibility requires an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 27, according to the source.
Product facts & conditions
Model / variant
Apple Watch Series 12 · 42mm aluminum, Bluetooth-only base model

Written by AI from the source report, not a hands-on test. Read source ↗

Media review

Review findings & buying advice

Based on PCMag Reviews · Andrew Gebhart, PCMag ↗. AI-assisted summary of the source; not a Savlume hands-on test.

PCMag rates the Apple Watch Series 12 4.5/5 and names it an Editors' Choice, citing its more frequent heart-rate tracking, contextual Siri features, and 54.5-hour battery result in testing.

Who it may suit
Most iPhone users, according to the source; the review also identifies the Apple Watch Ultra 4 as an alternative for extreme outdoor adventurers.

What the source liked

  • In the reviewer's test, the watch lasted 54.5 hours under the stated always-on display and daily GPS-exercise conditions.
  • During a run, heart-rate readings stayed within 2 to 3 bpm of the reviewer's chest strap, including during sprint intervals.
  • The redesigned sensor system records heart rate every five seconds, compared with every five minutes on the Series 11.

Trade-offs & limitations

  • The reviewer observed heart-rate readings that were 10 to 20 bpm low or grayed out early in one HIIT session; a shorter issue recurred during a run.
  • The review describes the design differences from the Series 11 as small and says the display area and pixel count are unchanged.

Source testing context
The author tested a 46mm aluminum model during walks, a 30-minute run, a 60-minute HIIT session, and several nights of sleep, comparing it with a Pixel Watch 5 and a Wahoo Trackr chest strap.

Questions this review helps answer

How long did the battery last in the reviewer's test?

54.5 hours with the always-on display enabled and one GPS-tracked exercise each day.

What is the starting price for the base model?

The source reports $399 for the 42mm aluminum Bluetooth-only model.

Did the reviewer observe any heart-rate tracking issues?

Yes. Readings were low or grayed out early in a HIIT session and briefly during a run, then improved.

At a glance

Product
Apple Watch Series 12
Model / variant
Apple Watch Series 12 · 42mm aluminum, Bluetooth-only base model
Price comparison
The source says the $399 starting price matches the Series 11's entry price.

Sources & checks

Price wording in the source: “The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399 for the base 42mm aluminum model (Bluetooth-only)”

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