The Quantified Scientist tests the Apple Watch Series 12’s new heart rate sensor

9to5mac.com Sep 19, 2026

The Quantified Scientist tests the Apple Watch Series 12’s new heart rate sensor

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 19, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The Quantified Scientist’s Rob ter Horst evaluated Apple’s new Apple Watch Series 12 heart‑rate sensor against a Polar H10 ECG chest strap. The Series 12 now records heart rate every five seconds, even at rest, offering finer daily insights. In indoor cycling the watch matched the chest strap almost perfectly; during running it achieved a 0.98 correlation, with minor high‑rate deviations; and in weightlifting it scored 0.97, outperforming 85 % of devices tested. Step counting was also accurate, with only slight overcounts.

💡 Why It Matters

· Apple’s sensor upgrade demonstrates that wrist‑based wearables can rival dedicated ECG devices in everyday fitness contexts, potentially reshaping how consumers monitor health without extra gear.

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Protect your iPhone Duo & iPhone 18 Pro lineup with ESR’s latest…

ESR has released a new line of protective accessories for Apple’s high‑end devices, including the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The flagship product is the Atelier Vegan Leather Magnetic Case, available in four colors, featuring a 180‑degree rotating Flex Stand, a zinc alloy hinge, and a 1,400‑gram MagSafe magnet. The case offers 3‑foot drop protection, anti‑stain vegan leather, and a camera‑protecting ring. Additional items include a matching Apple Watch band and AirPods magnetic case, plus a high‑resistance UltraFit Armorite® Pro screen protector.

💡 By pairing premium materials with functional design, ESR provides a durable, stylish solution that extends the lifespan of Apple’s expensive new models, addressing a growing consumer demand for high‑quality protection.

appleinsider.com · Sep 19

iPhone Duo is Steve Jobs’s intersection of technology and liberal arts, says…

Apple unveiled the foldable iPhone Duo, drawing inspiration from paper notebooks to blend compactness with expanded screen space. CEO John Ternus, industrial designer Molly Anderson, and software lead Steve Lemay explained that the device’s dimensions mirror the A‑series paper system, roughly A5, giving it a passport‑sized closed form. The Duo features a custom torque hinge that holds it flat when opened, and its software integrates lessons from iPad, Macintosh, and previous iPhones. Pre‑orders start October 16, 2026.

💡 The Duo signals Apple’s push into foldable form factors, potentially redefining mobile productivity and setting a new benchmark for seamless hardware‑software integration.

androidcentral.com · Sep 19

I went hands-on with the iPhone Duo, and I’m genuinely excited

Harish Jonnalagadda, Android Central’s Senior Editor for mobile, has spent his career moving from early Windows XP tinkering to a decade‑long focus on Android devices. After earning a computer‑science degree, he began reviewing PC hardware at VR‑Zone before switching to the Nexus 4, which sparked his transition to Android coverage. Joining Android Central in 2014, he now oversees reporting on Chinese phone brands, enthusiast audio, networking gear and storage servers, drawing on his engineering background and extensive hands‑on testing. Jonnalagadda’s deep familiarity with virtually every major smartphone released worldwide gives him a unique perspective on Google’s platform and the evolution of Chinese manufacturers. Outside work, he reads sci‑fi on an e‑reader and follows Arsenal football.

💡 His insider view bridges hardware engineering and editorial insight, offering readers nuanced analysis of emerging Chinese smartphones that shape global market trends.

taipeitimes.com · Sep 19

Early buyers snap up iPhone 18 Pro models

Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in Taiwan, prompting lines at the flagship Xinyi A13 store and a flurry of first‑buyer claims across major carriers. Hsu became the fourth consecutive year’s inaugural owner, selecting a 256 GB Pro Max and noting the new variable‑aperture camera and a launch price roughly NT$5,000 above the prior model. He cited rising RAM costs but offsetting resale value of his older iPhone. Huang secured a 512 GB Pro through Taiwan Mobile’s NT$1,399 monthly plan and will also pre‑order the upcoming iPhone Duo, slated for October 23. Liao and Wu repeated similar first‑buyer milestones with Chunghwa Telecom and Far EasTone, respectively, each using carrier installment plans. The iPhone Duo launch follows the Pro rollout, while Apple has not listed iPhone 18 or 18e for Taiwan.

💡 The coordinated first‑buyer rush across retail and carrier channels underscores Apple’s tightly managed release strategy, turning each launch into a high‑visibility sales catalyst in a market where premium pricing and AI‑driven component costs are under scrutiny.

9to5mac.com · Sep 18

Download the iPhone Duo’s official light and dark wallpapers here

Apple omitted the iPhone Duo’s wallpapers from iOS 27, but included them in Xcode 27.1 beta’s iPhone simulator, enabling users to download the device’s official light and dark mode images. The iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable phone, features dunes and mountain range artwork. Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 27.0 RC with wallpapers for the iPhone 18 Pro, but not for the Duo. The beta now supplies four Duo wallpapers—two for each mode—available for download and full‑resolution use.

💡 The availability of Duo wallpapers outside the operating system demonstrates Apple’s willingness to support its foldable line through developer tools, offering early adopters a way to personalize the new device before official system integration.

appleinsider.com · Sep 18

Developers finally get Xcode tools to prepare apps for iPhone Duo

Apple released Xcode 27.1 beta on Friday, granting developers tools to build for the upcoming iPhone Duo foldable. The beta includes Swift 6.4, iOS 27.1 and iPadOS 27.1 SDKs, a new Display group for previewing content on the device’s alternative screen, and an iPhone Duo Simulator runtime. Limitations exist: StandBy is unavailable, most app extensions cannot be debugged, and simulator launches are slow. Developers have roughly one month before the iPhone Duo’s October 23 launch to adapt apps to its multiple orientations and screen sizes.

💡 The tight window forces major app makers to prioritize fold‑screen compatibility, potentially reshaping the iOS ecosystem’s design standards. Swift‑based developers must quickly integrate new APIs to leverage the Duo’s unique hardware features.