Apple has launched the Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, complete with a new ‘Health Sensing System’ and S11 chip that promise the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable device. These watches boast higher-frequency heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements, with the Health Sensing System including redesigned photodiodes and larger electrodes for better contact with the skin.

The new watches will measure the user’s heart rate every five seconds, with the green LEDs on the optical heart sensor being both bigger and more power-efficient. A new heart rate watch face special feature will allow users to view their heart rate in real time, while HRV measurements will be taken up to 24 times more frequently than their predecessors. These measurements will help in understanding how well the body adapts to stress and exercise.

For a more complete view of their health status, users can now view their overnight and daytime vitals separately. The new models can also analyze recovery HRV measurements against a user’s personal baseline, providing insights into their overall health. A new daytime vitals view lets users toggle between the two metrics, potentially spotting shifts in their health before they show up overnight.

The launch of these new watches marks a significant advancement in wearable health technology. For those who wear their hearts on their sleeves, or at least on their wrists, this could be a game-changer. But for the rest of us, we might be better off just sticking to our tried-and-true heart rate monitors.