Apple wraps up one of its busiest March launch seasons yet with seven new products: a iPhone 17E<\/span><\/span>Updated Macbook Pro<\/span><\/span> and a colorful macbook neo<\/span><\/span>. And we’re already looking forward to the next batch of hardware. After a crowded 2025 that brought three new apple watches<\/span><\/span>This year’s lineup is expected to be smaller with the Series 12 likely to fly solo.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We’re not expecting any dramatic new looks (based on rumors and the history of the Apple Watch), but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to get excited about. Rumors point to at least one major change beneath the surface, including hints at the long-removed iPhone<\/span><\/span> The feature is finally reaching the wrist.<\/p>\n As always, nothing is confirmed until Apple says so, but here’s everything we know, think we know, and what we’re keeping our fingers crossed for. <\/p>\n If there’s one thing Apple keeps consistent, it’s the timing of its fall hardware event, where it usually unveils its latest flagship iPhones and Apple Watch models.<\/p>\n Apple usually holds this event on the second Tuesday of September (usually the week after Labor Day). By that logic, September 15 seems to be the most likely candidate for Apple’s 2026 fall event. Because it will arrive a little later in the month than in past years, there is also less chance that Apple will move it to September 9 (Labor Day week) like before.<\/p>\n As in previous years, pre-orders will likely open on the Friday after the event, with availability following a week or so (assuming there are no production delays).<\/p>\n The new watches are expected to be priced roughly in line with the existing Series 11 lineup, which starts around $400 (42mm Wi-Fi model). Although the price rise has not stopped completely, it is still continuing Tariff<\/span><\/span> increases and the possibility of supply chain problems increases.<\/p>\n <\/div> Apple Watch Ultra 3, SE 3 and Series 11 on launch day. <\/p>\n <\/span> Celso Bulgatti\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Series 12 is fully guaranteed – we have one new apple watch<\/span><\/span> The model arrives every year since its launch. It’s less certain whether Apple will refresh the entire lineup again this year. The Apple Watch SE and Ultra models do not follow the same annual update cycle, and because both SE 3<\/span><\/span> And ultra 3<\/span><\/span> Were refreshed in 2025, it’s unlikely Apple will update both again this year.<\/p>\n If Apple adds another model alongside the Series 12, the Ultra would be a more plausible candidate. Apple is not one to hold back on new features for its high-end models when the need arises. Or if it follows the pattern set with the Ultra 2, the company may introduce a new color model for the Ultra 3.<\/p>\n Don’t hold your breath for a rounder Apple Watch, or any major changes (at least not for this year). Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said during a live question and answer<\/a> As of March 26, no major design changes are expected for this year’s Apple Watch lineup macrumors<\/a>. This matches how sparse discussion of the redesign has been overall, so expect a similar silhouette with the same colors and materials.<\/p>\n What might change: Screen technology. A more energy-efficient display \u2013 potentially an improved LTPO panel with better brightness, as seen in the Series 10 \u2013 could help get some battery life back without adding bulk.<\/p>\n <\/div> Better battery life has topped the Apple Watch wish list year after year.<\/p>\n <\/span> Vanessa Hand Orellana\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The Series 11 and Ultra 3 got a significant battery bump compared to their predecessors: at least 6 hours more according to Apple’s figures and about an extra half-day (or more) in my real-world testing. And the Ultra 3 also gets the charging speeds to live up to its name, just like its newer siblings. But there’s still a lot of room for improvement in both battery life and charging speeds. <\/p>\n With no major clues indicating larger batteries yet, I’d bet we’ll see more incremental benefits (if any) on the Series 12. Improvements could come from better screen technology, software optimizations and more efficient processors. <\/p>\n In theory, the processor name usually matches the clock number, suggesting an S12 chip this year. But since the Series 11 and Ultra 3 are still running on last year’s S10 chip, the next upgrade could technically be an S11, making this year’s nomenclature a bit odd.<\/p>\n Apple has already stepped up its game in blood pressure monitoring high blood pressure information<\/span><\/span> On Apple Watch (Series 10, Series 11, and Ultra 3). The feature alerts owners when abnormally high blood pressure symptoms are detected, but it fails to provide on-the-spot readings. It could be on the table for autumn 2026.<\/p>\n Other wearable health companies like Omron and Med-Watch have proven that wrist-based blood pressure measurement is possible, though it’s not as reliable as a traditional cuff and may require new (bulky) hardware to bring to the Apple Watch. <\/p>\n according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman<\/a>Apple is testing the feature internally but has faced accuracy issues. And even if Apple discontinues it for this year, it can only measure baseline trends, similar to Samsung’s blood pressure feature on the Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra (not supported in the US). <\/p>\n Glucose monitoring is another long-standing rumor that has been making the rounds, but according to gurman<\/a>This is even more of a finished product than blood pressure and will not realistically appear before 2027.<\/p>\n <\/div> The next Apple Watch Series 12 may bring back TouchID. <\/p>\n <\/span> Jeffrey Hazlewood\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Rumors of a camera on the Apple Watch have been around for a few years \u2014 not for selfies, but potentially for Face ID or AI-based image recognition. <\/p>\n Apple Intelligence on the iPhone introduced a visual search tool that uses the camera to identify objects and locations in real time, and it may be some time before this feature finally reaches wrists. Meanwhile, wearable-focused processors like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips already support cameras and even livestreaming. Apple is known for using its own proprietary chips, so it’s unlikely this will affect Apple’s timeline, but it does show that the technology exists, and we could see it on the Apple Watch. Just not this year, according to bloomberg<\/a>.<\/p>\n A more viable near-term option could be Touch ID. macworld<\/a> Recently seen lines of internal code suggest that Apple is experimenting with biometric authentication for the 2026 Apple Watch lineup. According to the report, the code references “AppleMesa”, Apple’s internal code name for watch-based Touch ID. It’s still unclear whether the sensor will be integrated below the display, as we see on Android phones, or built into the side button or Digital Crown. <\/p>\n Now that Apple has standardized its operating system names to be consistent for the coming year, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the next big update to the Apple Watch will be watchOS 27. <\/p>\n With a major redesign already in the books (5 new Apple Watch features coming with watchOS 26<\/span><\/span>), we’re not expecting dramatic visual changes this time, but there’s plenty on the wish list, including better battery management tools and more customizable gesture controls. Apple could also expand Workout Buddy beyond metric-driven incentives into more concrete training territory. This could bring it closer to what Samsung is trying with its AI-powered running coach.<\/p>\n Finally, I would welcome a more robust symptom tracker tied into the Vitals app, similar to the Ora Ring’s symptom radar that can flag early signs of illness. <\/p>\n <\/div> A future Apple Watch could bring advanced health sensors for on-the-spot blood pressure readings. <\/p>\n <\/span> Tharon Green\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The next version of watchOS 27 may also bring changes to the Health app. according to a Mark Gurman reports<\/a> According to Bloomberg, Apple is working on a top-secret initiative code-named Project Mulberry, which aims to revamp the Health app with an AI-powered health concierge that can integrate your health, fitness and medical data in one place.<\/p>\n However, the project has recently run into some obstacles. Bloomberg’s latest report<\/a> Suggests Apple has stopped the effort (at least for this year). This still leaves room for improvement on the Health app front with a possible redesign of the main dashboard that would make it easier to identify trends. <\/p>\nApple Watch Series 12 launch date<\/h3>\n
Pricing and Availability<\/h3>\n
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How many Apple Watch models will we get? <\/h3>\n
Familiar design on Apple Watch Series 12<\/h3>\n
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Battery life and processor<\/h3>\n
New health features on the horizon<\/h3>\n
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Biometric Authentication: Touch ID or Face ID?<\/h3>\n
OS 27 View Wish List <\/h3>\n
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Other health app updates <\/h3>\n