WhichOneToGet
Compare Β· Updated 19 Oct 2026

Apple Watch Series 11 vs Apple Watch Series 12

Get the Apple Watch Series 11 on a deal. Unless heart tracking matters most β€” then the Series 12's new sensor and Readiness score are worth the extra.

Apple Watch Series 11
Our pick

Apple Watch Series 11

The previous Apple Watch: the same look, screen and day-long battery as the Series 12, and most of its health features, for less.

Apple Watch Series 12

Apple Watch Series 12

The best smartwatch for iPhone owners: excellent health and heart-rate tracking, a new daily Readiness score and a bright screen. Battery still lasts about a day.

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The short answer

They look the same, last the same 24 hours and share the screen, ECG, Sleep Score and hypertension alerts. The Series 12 reads your heart every few seconds instead of every few minutes, adds a Readiness score and charges faster.

Get the Apple Watch Series 11 if
  • β€”You want a full Apple Watch for less.
  • β€”You mostly use notifications, payments and workouts.
  • β€”You're upgrading from a Series 8 or older.
Check price at Best BuyBuy β†—
Get the Apple Watch Series 12 if
  • β€”You train seriously and want the most accurate heart data.
  • β€”You'd use a daily Readiness score.
  • β€”The price gap is small.
Check price at Best BuyBuy β†—

Key differences

Heart-rate readings
Every few minutes
Apple Watch Series 11
Every five seconds
Apple Watch Series 12
Readiness score
No
Apple Watch Series 11
Yes
Apple Watch Series 12
Battery
About 24 hours
Apple Watch Series 11
About 24 hours
Apple Watch Series 12
GPS workout battery
About 8 hours
Apple Watch Series 11
About 10 hours
Apple Watch Series 12
Price now
Discounted
Apple Watch Series 11
Full price
Apple Watch Series 12

Pros and cons

Apple Watch Series 11
  • +About 24 hours of battery
  • +Hypertension alerts and Sleep Score
  • +Usually well below Series 12 money
  • βˆ’Battery lasts about a day, so it charges nightly.
  • βˆ’Barely faster than the Series 10.
  • βˆ’It misses the Series 12's faster heart sensor, Readiness score and Audio Intelligence.
  • βˆ’GPS workouts last about 8 hours, against 10 on the Series 12.
Apple Watch Series 12
  • +Accurate heart-rate and health tracking
  • +Daily Readiness score
  • +Bright, always-on screen
  • βˆ’Battery lasts about a day, so it charges nightly.
  • βˆ’Looks almost identical to the last two models.
  • βˆ’Some new features arrive later in software updates.
  • βˆ’Its GPS isn't as precise as the Ultra's dual-band GPS.

Ready to choose?

How we reached this verdict

We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.

Sources: Tom's Guide, TechRadar, TechRadar, manufacturer specifications.

Updated 19 Oct 2026How we decide