Tech Desk: Apple is gearing up to unveil its next generation of smartwatches, the Apple Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4, at its anticipated September 9 event. While a drastic visual redesign isn’t expected this year, reports indicate significant under-the-hood enhancements focusing on performance and advanced health tracking. Users can look forward to a more powerful S11 chip, promising the first major speed upgrade in several years, alongside refined wellness features.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that while familiar designs will largely remain, the Series 12 might reintroduce a ceramic case option, mirroring the premium Series 3. However, previously rumored features like Touch ID and health sensors embedded in watch bands are unlikely to appear. Instead, the emphasis is squarely on core improvements that enhance daily usability and functionality.

A key focus for the Apple Watch Series 12 Ultra 4 will be health monitoring. Apple is reportedly testing continuous heart-rate data collection and is revamping its Health and Fitness apps to offer more comprehensive wellness metrics, positioning them closer to dedicated trackers like Whoop and Oura. While a major design overhaul and blood-sugar detection remain on the roadmap for future models (possibly by 2030), this year’s updates promise meaningful evolution for existing users.