GoKawiil
Tech News
A tech writer who skipped many Apple Watch generations upgraded from the Series 10 to the Series 12, despite near-identical design, citing improved heart-rate monitoring, a new 'Readiness' app, faster performance, and a redesigned Health app. The reviewer says the device now rivals third-party wearables like WHOOP, which charges a $239/year subscription.
Apple has added a new 'Readiness' bezel configuration to Apple Watch Ultra 4, joining existing options like Seconds, Depth, Elevation and Training. The bezel displays a numerical readiness score and description, using four illuminated bars to show which score category the wearer currently falls into. The feature works with bezel-supporting faces such as Modular Ultra and the new Siri Modular face, and ties into the Readiness app introduced alongside Apple Watch Series 12.
Apple's Series 12 smartwatch now samples heart rate every 5 seconds, up from every 5 minutes on prior models, and adds a Readiness app that scores recovery from 1-10 using HRV data. Paired with a redesigned Apple Health app in iOS 27 that presents stats more clearly, these updates are prompting at least one longtime WHOOP user to consider returning to Apple's ecosystem.
Apple has introduced a Readiness app exclusive to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, powered by an upgraded Health Sensing System with new optical and electrical sensors. The app assigns a 0-10 score categorized into four tiers—Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, and Go For It—based on activity, sleep, and vitals data. The feature will not be available on older Apple Watch models, including Series 11 and Ultra 3, even after updating to watchOS 27.
Apple's Series 12 smartwatch features a redesigned sensor layout with more diodes and electrodes for greater skin contact, enabling more frequent and accurate heart rate and HRV readings. This data powers a new Readiness app that generates a daily 0-10 score based on activity, sleep and vitals, alongside a redesigned Health app with Apple Intelligence summaries for compatible iPhones.
Ahead of Apple's expected unveiling of Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12, leaker pdfu found references in watchOS 27 code pointing to a new Readiness app placed near Workout on the home screen, expanded strength-training logging with sets, reps, weight and equipment data, a new optical sensor system, and possible 128GB of storage tied to a new chip. The same leaker previously surfaced details on HomePod surround sound and iOS 27 camera features.