Next Apple Watch: These features could come
No hardware redesign, but new sensors and more depending on the variant: there are some interesting speculations about the upcoming Apple Watch.
Apple Watch Series 11: The Series 12 is on its way.
(Image: Apple)
Every year in September, Apple introduces new iPhone models and regularly updated smartwatches. This is also expected this year: In addition to the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max and the iPhone Ultra, the rumor mill also expects an Apple Watch Series 12 and, at least possibly, a fourth-generation Apple Watch Ultra. The new operating system, watchOS 27, is expected to be unveiled even earlier than the new wrist devices. First details are expected on June 8th at the WWDC 2026 developer conference, along with information on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27.
Apple Watch Series 12: Still waiting for the redesign
For several years now, observers have been expecting Apple to change the fundamental design of the Apple Watch, but nothing has happened so far. The manufacturer still relies on the look first introduced in 2015, primarily improving details such as the screen, which is now borderless and has always been illuminated for several years (Always-on display). The design is also not expected to be changed for the Series 12, according to reports. According to leakers from China, Apple is focusing primarily on improved battery life this year, which would be very welcome, as the watch still needs to be charged well every 24 hours with all-day use.
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A new System-in-a-Package (SiP) with more modern main processor cores is finally expected to contribute to this. With Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3, Apple used the S10 from the previous year, which itself showed hardly any changes compared to the S9, which in turn is derived from the A16 (from 2022). An S11 or, more fittingly, an S12 could be based on a newer architecture, which would then also be officially Apple Intelligence-capable; currently, the Watch only uses AI functions from the iPhone.
Touch ID and new sensors
A long-standing rumor, reported by, among others, the well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and evident from code leaks, is the integration of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor in both the Series 12 and Ultra 4. This could be located in the side button, as Apple does with some iPads, and would provide greater security for sensitive transactions. Currently, the Apple Watch's biometric feature is only the fact that it is worn on a person's wrist – the user then enters their PIN once to unlock the Watch, after which it is considered unlocked. It only locks again when the watch is removed. However, there have recently been conflicting opinions from the rumor mill: Apple is reportedly struggling with space constraints, among other things.
While real blood pressure measurements (currently only changes are detected) and blood sugar are planned as new sensors for the Apple Watch in the long term, nothing acute has been heard about this this year. It also remains unclear what Apple specifically plans for the Ultra 4. Last year, it was equipped with satellite communication and 5G RedCap, among other things. Apple could now enable Apple Maps and photo display in messages via satellite on the Watch, among other things. However, these would be features that will also come to older devices via watchOS 27.
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