- A new report outlines changes to the Apple Watch 12
- We could get new sensors and an exterior redesign
- The wearable won't be launching until September 2026
It looks likely that the Apple Watch 11 will be unveiled sometime next month, if Apple sticks to its usual schedule, but a new report suggests that its 2026 successor is going to feature a pretty significant redesign.
This tip comes from a report in DigiTimes (via MacRumors), based on supply chain sources, although we don't get too much information about what it might involve – and this isn't a device that has changed much in terms of its looks through the years.
The article does mention an increased number of sensors, presumably for more accurate health and fitness tracking, or perhaps to add to the metrics that can be tracked. These additional sensors may form part of the redesign.
In the past we've heard rumors of an Apple Watch with a camera and an Apple Watch with a touch-sensitive glass frame, but these potential upgrades aren't specifically mentioned in the latest reporting from DigiTimes.
Battery boost
The new article also mentions improved power efficiency too, which hopefully means we can look forward to better battery life with the Apple Watch 12, and perhaps the Apple Watch Ultra 4 (the Apple Watch Ultra 3 should arrive this year).
In terms of this year's model, the report does say that the Apple Watch 11 will be getting some Apple Intelligence features. However, based on what we've seen of watchOS 26, it seems likely that these will mostly be managed on a connected iPhone.
Given what DigiTimes is predicting for 2026, it seems the Apple Watch 11 might be a more minor upgrade. The publication does have a mixed track record for Apple gadget predictions though, so bear that in mind.
We'll no doubt get plenty more leaks and rumors about the Apple Watch 12 over the course of the next year, but before that we've got the Apple Watch 11, which should appear alongside the iPhone 17 handsets at some point in September.
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