According to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing two major health-focused upgrades for the upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. The first is an always-on heart rate sensor that will track beats throughout the day, not just during workouts. The second is a completely redesigned Fitness app that will present wellness metrics in a more intuitive and actionable way, similar to popular platforms like Whoop and Oura.
The always-on heart rate tracking is a significant shift for the Apple Watch, which currently monitors heart rate continuously only during exercise sessions and takes random samples the rest of the time. With 24-hour tracking, users will gain a much more detailed picture of their cardiovascular health, including how their heart responds to stress, sleep, and various daily activities. This could help identify irregularities or simply provide a clearer understanding of overall well-being.
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New health app aims to make sense of your data
The second major update is a revamped health and fitness app experience. Gurman suggests Apple is working on showing more wellness-related metrics in a way that helps users learn from their data. Instead of just displaying numbers, the app could explain why a particular night's sleep was restorative or why you might feel fatigued on a given day, by correlating sleep, recovery, activity, and heart rate variability. This holistic approach mirrors what dedicated fitness trackers like Whoop and Oura have been doing for years, and it addresses a common criticism of the Apple Watch that its focus on activity rings often overshadows deeper health insights.
For fitness enthusiasts who rely on third-party trackers, this change could make the Apple Watch a more compelling all-in-one solution. The current iteration of the Apple Watch, launched in 2024, introduced a thinner design with slimmer bezels, but the company is reportedly planning a more radical redesign next year, possibly for the Series 13 or 14. That redesign might feature a new shape, departing from the rounded square aesthetic that has defined the product for years. The hope is that any new design will maintain backward compatibility with existing bands, a critical consideration for long-time users with collections of straps.
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Ceramic option with two finishes and new bands
Gurman's report also confirms that Apple is testing a ceramic version of the Apple Watch Series 12, which would come in two finishes: the classic white and a new dark gray. Additionally, there will be many new band colors and configurations. Ceramic was previously used in high-end Apple Watch models but was discontinued in later generations. Its return could offer a more premium feel compared to aluminum and stainless steel options, appealing to luxury buyers.
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These rumors come at a time when the smartwatch market is increasingly competitive, with rivals like Samsung and Google continuing to innovate. Apple appears to be doubling down on health, a sector where it has already established a strong presence. The combination of continuous heart rate tracking and a more insightful app could be a significant step forward, especially for users who want more than just activity rings. Whether these features will be exclusive to the higher-end models or trickle down to the standard versions remains to be seen. For anyone considering a new Apple Watch, it might be worth waiting for the official announcement, expected in September, to get all the details.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/30/apple-watch-series-12-last-minute-leaks-new-fitness-app-heart-rate
