Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 to get one big upgrade at perfect time

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 are launching next month, and rumors indicate they’ll pack a big upgrade—a new, more powerful chip—that will arrive at just the right time.

New Apple Watch models to have more powerful S-class chip just in time for Siri AI

Most Apple products get more powerful chips all the time—but Apple Watch is the exception.

New Apple Watch models debut annually, but more often than not, ‘new’ S-class chips don’t actually pack an improved CPU. True performance upgrades only happen every few years.

Last year was even worse: Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 had the exact same S10 chip as their predecessors.

But rumors indicate we’re getting a truly meaningful chip upgrade this year.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 will debut a brand new chip, probably named S11 or S12.

Mark Gurman recently wrote that this year’s new models will get a “long-awaited bump in chips and speed.” The last time an Apple Watch chip brought performance gains was the S9 in 2023.

But watchOS 27 launches next month, and its tentpole addition is Siri AI—a feature that could truly benefit from a more powerful chip.

Siri AI on Apple Watch isn’t a lesser version of the assistant. It’s the same new and improved Siri found on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and more. That’s a big part of why watchOS 27 cuts off support for many older Watch models.

Throughout the watchOS 27 beta, Siri has been a bit less responsive than I’d hope. And I suspect that’s in part due to the older chip, which far predates any AI version of Siri.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 will have the first Watch chip built for the AI era. And it couldn’t come at a better time.

How is Siri AI running for you in the watchOS 27 beta? Let us know in the comments.

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