Apple Watch Series 12 Gets a New Chip, and It Is the S11

Series 12 will get the first new watch chip in three years

Series 12 got the new watch chip the reports described. Apple named it the S11.

1 min read

Apple Watch Series 12 Guide

Apple Watch

Apple Watch Series 12

12 generations

What to know

Apple Watch Series 12 runs a new chip, which Apple calls the S11. Reports before launch had called it the S12.

Series 10 and Series 11 both used the older S10 chip, so this is the first new Apple Watch chip since Series 9 in 2023. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman had reported the new chip would be faster.

How we know this

What changed, newest first.

Sep 9, 2026RightIt turned out as reported.

Sep 1, 20269to5MacAn upgraded S-class chip is what the rumors point to for the Series 12

Aug 30, 2026The Mac ObserverApps open quicker and battery management improves with the new processor

Aug 26, 2026GizmodoThe new chip is aimed at running Apple Intelligence and Siri tasks faster

Aug 26, 2026Tom's GuideThe chip is expected to be called the S12, faster and less power hungry than the S10

Aug 26, 2026Gadgets & WearablesLeaked internal Apple code points to a new chip this year

Show 4 more reportsShow fewer

Aug 24, 2026MacRumorsThree generations of the same chip end here, with the first meaningful upgrade in years

Aug 14, 20269to5MacApple is lining up a long-awaited bump in chips and speed for both watches+1 outlet

Jul 15, 20269to5MacAdds the last genuinely new Watch chip was 2023's Series 9+5 outlets

Aug 19, 2025Filipe Espósito via MacworldAssigns a T8320 CPU to Series 12 and Ultra 4+3 outlets

Reported

Frequently asked

What chip is in Apple Watch Series 12?

The S11, with a 64-bit dual-core processor. Series 10 and Series 11 both ran the S10, so it is the first new watch chip in three years. Reports before launch called it the S12.

What does the S11 add?

Apple lists Audio Intelligence features alongside it on the Series 12 spec page: Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Shazam and Sound Recognition.

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