Apple’s next smartwatches are finally set to become the round-the-clock health trackers fitness fans have asked for. A fresh report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, expected to debut at Apple’s September 9 event, are testing always-on heart-rate tracking and a redesigned Health and Fitness app. Here is everything the leak reveals before the official launch.
Always-on heart rate: data all day, not just during workouts
The standout change is that the heart-rate sensor will be able to record continuously throughout the day rather than only during workouts and at random intervals. That fills a long-standing gap for people who want recovery and resting-heart data without wearing a dedicated fitness band.
A Health and Fitness app revamp in the mold of Whoop and Oura
Gurman says Apple is revamping its fitness and health software to surface more wellness-related metrics “in a similar fashion to increasingly popular app offerings from Whoop and Oura.” The goal is to make sleep, recovery, and stress data easier to read, an area where dedicated wearables have long had the edge.
Here is how the two reported upgrades stack up against what the current Apple Watch already does:
| Capability | Current Apple Watch | Reported Series 12 / Ultra 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate tracking | During workouts and at intervals | Continuous all-day recording |
| Health data app | Activity rings focus | Whoop- and Oura-style wellness metrics |
| Case material | Aluminum, titanium, steel | Ceramic returns in white and dark gray |
| Processor | S10 chip since 2024 | New S11 chip or newer expected |
Ceramic returns in two finishes
Apple is reportedly testing a ceramic case for the Series 12 in both white and dark gray, echoing the premium Edition models from 2017. The report also mentions many new band colors and configurations.
What else the report says
Gurman expects no major redesign for this year’s models, with a bigger overhaul still a year or two away. Both watches should get a new S11 chip or newer, the first meaningful Apple Watch performance jump in years, alongside fitness-tracking upgrades. A separate Digitimes report suggests the Ultra 4’s sensor count could double. Gurman also said no Apple Watch SE 4 is expected this year, and Apple continues to target non-invasive blood sugar detection by 2030.
When it lands and the PH angle
The Series 12 and Ultra 4 are expected to be announced at Apple’s September 9 “Surprise and Shine” event, with a Philippines launch price to follow. If you are choosing between Apple’s wearables and a dedicated fitness tracker, our guide to the best smartwatches in the Philippines covers the current options. Until the reveal, treat all of this as rumor.
