Display, battery life and sensors are the same. The new generation costs more - for a new chip and tougher glass.
Short answer
Series 12 46 mm - S11 chip, Ceramic Shield 2 glass and watchOS 27 out of the box. Series 11 46 mm - almost the same for less.
Key differences
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 11 46mm GPS | Apple Watch Series 12 46mm GPS |
|---|---|---|
| Display | OLED, 416×496 | OLED, 416×496 |
| Chip | Apple S10 | Apple S11 |
| Memory | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Battery life | up to 24 h | up to 24 h |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Navigation | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou (L1) | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou (L1) |
| NFC | yes | yes |
| Sensors | heart rate, SpO2, barometer, compass, gyroscope, temperature | heart rate, SpO2, barometer, compass, gyroscope, temperature |
| Protection | 50 m / IP6X | 50 m / IP6X |
| OS | watchOS 26 | watchOS 27 |
| Compatibility | iPhone 11 / iPhone SE 2 / iOS 26 | iPhone 11 / iPhone SE 2 / iOS 27 |
| Dimensions, weight | 46×39×9.7 mm, 37.8 g | 46×40×9.7 mm, 39.5 g |
| Price | current prices | current prices |
Specs come from the device pages on Smartphone.ua.
Chips
Apple S10 vs S11. In practice you'll notice it only in responsiveness.
What's the same
416×496 display, 64 GB, up to 24 h, SpO2, temperature, 50 m and IP6X, 9.7 mm.
Case and glass
Ion-X vs Ceramic Shield 2 glass. Series 12 is slightly heavier - 39.5 vs 37.8 g.
Verdict: who should buy which
- Newer with tougher glass - Series 12 46 mm.
- Saving with no real loss - Series 11 46 mm.
FAQ
Is battery life the same?
Yes, up to 24 h.
Is the display the same?
Yes, 416×496.
Which is cheaper?
The Series 11.