Skip to content

Watch comparison

Apple Series 12 42mm vs Apple Series 12 46mm

Compare battery life, health tracking, display and fit.

Compared products
01Selected
Apple Watch Series 12 42mm

Apple Watch Series 12 42mm

  • Apple S11 chip; 4-core Neural Engine processor.
  • 64 GB storage in this version.
  • Runs watchOS 27.
  • Wi-Fi 4 support.
  • Touchscreen for direct touch input.
KSh 64,000In Stock
Choose options
02
Apple Watch Series 12 46mm

Apple Watch Series 12 46mm

  • Apple S11 chip; 4-core Neural Engine processor.
  • 64 GB storage in this version.
  • Runs watchOS 27.
  • Wi-Fi 4 support.
  • Touchscreen for direct touch input.
KSh 70,000In Stock
Choose options

Add to comparison

2 spaces available

Apple Watch Ultra 3KSh 90,000
Apple Watch Series 11KSh 51,000
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 47mmKSh 62,000
Apple Watch Series 8KSh 50,000
Apple Watch UltraKSh 90,000
AmazFit FalconKSh 63,000
WHOOP LifeKSh 55,500
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Apple Watch Series 12 42mm is the better buy: it is lighter to wear all day, with the same Apple S11 chip processor as the Apple Watch Series 12 46mm.

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple Watch Series 12 42mm

  • Lighter: 32.2 g (vs 39.5 g).

Apple Watch Series 12 46mm

  • OLED display, 326 ppi.
  • Apple S11 chip processor.
  • 64 GB storage.
  • Up to 24 hours per charge.

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 12 46mm
Battery lifeUp to 24 hours per chargeUp to 24 hours per charge
Storage64 GB storage64 GB storage
PerformanceApple S11 chip processorApple S11 chip processor
SoftwarewatchOS 27watchOS 27
ConnectionsWi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3
DisplayOLED display, 326 ppiOLED display, 326 ppi

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 12 46mm
DisplayAlways-On Retina LTPO3 wide-angle OLEDAlways-On Retina LTPO3 wide-angle OLED
Screen resolution42mm: 374 × 446 pixels, 970 mm² display area. 46mm: 416 × 496 pixels, 1196 mm² display area. Both: 326 ppi.42mm: 374 × 446 pixels, 970 mm² display area. 46mm: 416 × 496 pixels, 1196 mm² display area. Both: 326 ppi.
Display protectionCeramic Shield 2 on aluminum cases; sapphire front crystal on titanium and ceramic casesCeramic Shield 2 on aluminum cases; sapphire front crystal on titanium and ceramic cases
Display features1 Hz refresh; up to 2,000 nits peak brightness; 1 nit minimum brightness1 Hz refresh; up to 2,000 nits peak brightness; 1 nit minimum brightness

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 12 46mm
Network / cellular5G RedCap and LTE on GPS + Cellular models; international roaming supported5G RedCap and LTE on GPS + Cellular models; international roaming supported
SIM / eSIMeSIM on GPS + Cellular modelseSIM on GPS + Cellular models
Wi-FiWi‑Fi 4 (802.11n), 2.4 GHz and 5 GHzWi‑Fi 4 (802.11n), 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.3
NFCSupported; Apple PaySupported; Apple Pay
Positioning / GNSSPrecision L1 GPS; GLONASS; Galileo; QZSS; BeiDouPrecision L1 GPS; GLONASS; Galileo; QZSS; BeiDou
Ultra Wideband (UWB)Second-generation Ultra Wideband chipSecond-generation Ultra Wideband chip

Identity & design

Identity & design specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 12 46mm
BrandAppleApple
ModelApple Watch Series 12 (42mm and 46mm configurations)Apple Watch Series 12 (42mm and 46mm configurations)
Announced9 September 20269 September 2026
Dimensions42mm: aluminum/titanium 42 × 37 × 9.7 mm; ceramic 43 × 37 × 9.85 mm. 46mm: aluminum/titanium 46 × 40 × 9.7 mm; ceramic 47 × 41 × 9.85 mm.42mm: aluminum/titanium 42 × 37 × 9.7 mm; ceramic 43 × 37 × 9.85 mm. 46mm: aluminum/titanium 46 × 40 × 9.7 mm; ceramic 47 × 41 × 9.85 mm.
Weight42mm: aluminum GPS 32.2 g, GPS + Cellular 31.5 g, titanium 36.5 g, ceramic Pearl White 41.7 g / Night Blue 42.8 g. 46mm: aluminum GPS 39.5 g, GPS + Cellular 38.6 g, titanium 44.9 g, ceramic Pearl White 51.3 g / Night Blue 52.9 g.42mm: aluminum GPS 32.2 g, GPS + Cellular 31.5 g, titanium 36.5 g, ceramic Pearl White 41.7 g / Night Blue 42.8 g. 46mm: aluminum GPS 39.5 g, GPS + Cellular 38.6 g, titanium 44.9 g, ceramic Pearl White 51.3 g / Night Blue 52.9 g.
Build materialsAluminum, titanium or ceramic case, depending on configurationAluminum, titanium or ceramic case, depending on configuration
Wrist size42mm: 130–200 mm; 46mm: 140–245 mm42mm: 130–200 mm; 46mm: 140–245 mm
Strap / bandBand supplied; material and size depend on the selected configurationBand supplied; material and size depend on the selected configuration
Controls / buttonsDigital Crown with haptic feedback; side button; band-release button; single tap, double tap and wrist flick gesturesDigital Crown with haptic feedback; side button; band-release button; single tap, double tap and wrist flick gestures

Performance & software

Performance & software specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 12 46mm
ProcessorApple S11 chip; 4-core Neural EngineApple S11 chip; 4-core Neural Engine
CPU64-bit dual-core64-bit dual-core
Storage64 GB64 GB
Operating systemwatchOS 27watchOS 27

Audio & communication

Audio & communication specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 12 46mm
SpeakerSpeaker with media playbackSpeaker with media playback
MicrophoneMicrophone with Voice IsolationMicrophone with Voice Isolation
CallingBluetooth calling; cellular calling on GPS + Cellular models; international emergency callingBluetooth calling; cellular calling on GPS + Cellular models; international emergency calling

Sensors, health & fitness

Sensors, health & fitness specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 12 46mm
SensorsHigh-g accelerometer; high dynamic-range gyroscope; compass; always-on altimeter; ambient-light sensor; second-generation electrical heart sensor; always-on optical heart sensor; blood-oxygen sensor; temperature sensor; depth gauge; water-temperature sensorHigh-g accelerometer; high dynamic-range gyroscope; compass; always-on altimeter; ambient-light sensor; second-generation electrical heart sensor; always-on optical heart sensor; blood-oxygen sensor; temperature sensor; depth gauge; water-temperature sensor
Health & wellness featuresHeart rate and HRV; Blood Oxygen; ECG; respiratory rate; wrist temperature; Readiness and Vitals; high/low heart-rate and irregular-rhythm notifications; cycle tracking; hypertension notificationsHeart rate and HRV; Blood Oxygen; ECG; respiratory rate; wrist temperature; Readiness and Vitals; high/low heart-rate and irregular-rhythm notifications; cycle tracking; hypertension notifications
Sleep trackingSleep duration and stages; sleep score; sleep-apnea notificationsSleep duration and stages; sleep score; sleep-apnea notifications
Sports / workout modesRunning; hiking; cycling; pool and open-water swimming; skiing; snowboarding; rowing; paddling; golf; walking; HIIT; yoga; strength; dance; Pilates; Tai Chi; kickboxing; multisport and moreRunning; hiking; cycling; pool and open-water swimming; skiing; snowboarding; rowing; paddling; golf; walking; HIIT; yoga; strength; dance; Pilates; Tai Chi; kickboxing; multisport and more
Training & outdoor featuresCustom workouts and views; Training Load; heart-rate zones; VO₂ max; Race Route; Pacer; running dynamics; automatic track detection; offline maps, routes, waypoints and BacktrackCustom workouts and views; Training Load; heart-rate zones; VO₂ max; Race Route; Pacer; running dynamics; automatic track detection; offline maps, routes, waypoints and Backtrack
Safety & emergency featuresEmergency SOS; international emergency calling; Fall Detection; Crash Detection; flashlight; Check In; noise monitoring; emergency waypointsEmergency SOS; international emergency calling; Fall Detection; Crash Detection; flashlight; Check In; noise monitoring; emergency waypoints
Diving / depth featuresDepth gauge to 6 m; water-temperature sensorDepth gauge to 6 m; water-temperature sensor

Battery & durability

Battery & durability specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 12 46mm
Battery lifeUp to 24 hours normal use; up to 38 hours Low Power Mode; up to 10 hours outdoor workoutUp to 24 hours normal use; up to 38 hours Low Power Mode; up to 10 hours outdoor workout
ChargingFast-charge capable; up to 80% in about 30 minutes; 15 minutes for up to 12 hours normal use; 5 minutes for up to 10 hours sleep trackingFast-charge capable; up to 80% in about 30 minutes; 15 minutes for up to 12 hours normal use; 5 minutes for up to 10 hours sleep tracking
Water resistance50 m swimproof under ISO 22810:201050 m swimproof under ISO 22810:2010
Durability / certificationsIP6X dust resistanceIP6X dust resistance

Compatibility

Compatibility specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 12 46mm
Phone compatibilityiPhone 11 or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), with iOS 27 or lateriPhone 11 or later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), with iOS 27 or later
Companion appApple Watch app on iPhone; Health and Fitness apps for associated dataApple Watch app on iPhone; Health and Fitness apps for associated data
ColorsAluminum: Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, Space Gray; titanium: Radiant Gold, Natural; ceramic: Pearl White, Night BlueAluminum: Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, Space Gray; titanium: Radiant Gold, Natural; ceramic: Pearl White, Night Blue

Additional specifications

Additional specifications specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 12 46mm
FlashlightSupportedSupported
Display materialLTPO3 wide-angle OLEDLTPO3 wide-angle OLED
Pixels per inch326 ppi326 ppi
Peak brightnessUp to 2,000 nits peak; 1 nit minimumUp to 2,000 nits peak; 1 nit minimum
Cover / touchscreenSupportedSupported
Charging timeAbout 30 minutes to 80%; 15 minutes for up to 12 hours normal use; 5 minutes for up to 10 hours sleep trackingAbout 30 minutes to 80%; 15 minutes for up to 12 hours normal use; 5 minutes for up to 10 hours sleep tracking
Packing listApple Watch Series 12; band; 1 m magnetic fast-charger to USB-C cableApple Watch Series 12; band; 1 m magnetic fast-charger to USB-C cable
Release statusAvailable. Released 2026, September 18Available. Released 2026, September 18
Model numbersA3582, A3587A3582, A3587
Card slotNoNo
CameraNoNo
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo
USBNoNo
RadioNoNo
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA
Network speedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
Additional hardware featuresHealth Sensing System: third‑generation electrical heart sensor, always‑on optical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, temperature sensor; Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy); Media playbackHealth Sensing System: third‑generation electrical heart sensor, always‑on optical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, temperature sensor; Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy); Media playback

Similarities

  • Both belong to the Apple Watch platform.
  • Both are rated for up to 24 hours per charge.
  • Both support Wi-Fi 4.
  • Both work with a companion app.
  • Both have NFC.
  • Both take ECG readings.

In summary

The Apple Watch Series 12 42mm is the better buy for almost everyone, with a lighter watch for all-day wear.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Google Pixel Watch 5 45mmFor Apple Watch Series 12 42mmGoogle Pixel Watch 5 45mmView product ↗Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 47mmFor Apple Watch Series 12 42mmSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 47mmView product ↗Apple Watch UltraFor Apple Watch Series 12 46mmApple Watch UltraView product ↗Apple Watch Ultra 3For Apple Watch Series 12 46mmApple Watch Ultra 3View product ↗

Related comparisons

Apple Watch Ultra 3Apple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 11Apple Watch Series 12 42mmSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 47mmApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch UltraApple Watch Series 12 42mmAmazFit FalconApple Watch Series 12 42mmWHOOP LifeApple Watch Series 12 42mmGoogle Pixel Watch 5 45mmApple Watch Series 12 42mmApple Watch Ultra 4 49mmApple Watch Series 12 42mm
Menu
Need Help? +254 112891117
Back to Top

My Cart