Apple just completed one of its busiest release seasons in March with seven new products: one iPhone17Eupdated MacBook Pro and a colorful MacBook Neo. And we are already looking forward to the next batch of hardware. After a busy 2025 which brought three new Apple Watchesthis year’s lineup is expected to be smaller, with the Series 12 likely flying solo.
We’re not expecting a dramatic new look (based on rumors and Apple Watch history), but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to get excited about. Rumors point to at least one major shake-up beneath the surface, including hints of a iPhone This feature is finally making its way to the wrist.
As always, nothing is confirmed until Apple says it, but here’s everything we know, think we know, and have our fingers crossed.
Apple Watch Series 12 launch date
If there’s one thing Apple tends to keep consistent, it’s the timing of its fall hardware event, where it typically unveils its latest flagship iPhone and Apple Watch models.
Apple typically holds this event on the second Tuesday in September (usually the week after Labor Day). By this logic, September 15 seems to be the most likely candidate for Apple’s fall 2026 event. Because it comes a little later in the month than in previous years, there’s also a small chance that Apple will move it to September 9 (Labor Day week), as before.
As in previous years, pre-orders would likely open the Friday following the event, with availability about a week later (assuming there are no production delays).
Pricing and availability
Expect the pricing of the new watches to remain roughly in line with the current Series 11 lineup, which starts at around $400 (42mm Wi-Fi model). Even if price increases are not completely excluded, with price increases and the potential for supply chain issues.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3, SE 3 and Series 11 on launch day.
Celso Bulgatti/CNETHow many Apple Watch models will we have?
A 12 series is almost guaranteed – we had one new Apple Watch model arrives every year since its launch. What’s less certain is 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 And Ultra3 were updated in 2025, it is less likely that Apple will update them again this year.
If Apple adds another model alongside the Series 12, the Ultra would be the most plausible candidate. Apple isn’t one to expect new features for its high-end models when warranted. Or if it follows the pattern set with the Ultra 2, the company could simply roll out a new color scheme for the Ultra 3.
Familiar design on the Apple Watch Series 12
Don’t hold your breath for a circular Apple Watch or a major redesign (at least not for this year). Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said during a live Q&A on March 26 that no major design changes are expected for this year’s Apple Watch lineup, according to MacRumors. This fits with the overall scarcity of redesign talk, so expect the same silhouette with similar colors and materials.
What could change: screen technology. A more power-efficient display – potentially an upgraded LTPO panel with better brightness, like on the 10 series – could help reclaim some battery life without adding bulk.
Better battery life tops the Apple Watch wish list year after year.
Vanessa Main Orellana/CNETBattery life and processor
The Series 11 and Ultra 3 got a significant increase in battery over their predecessors: at least 6 hours more according to Apple’s numbers and about half an extra day (or more) in my real-world testing. And the Ultra 3 also boasts a charging speed worthy of its name, like its new siblings. But there is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of battery life and charging speed.
With no major clues yet hinting at bigger batteries, I’d bet we see additional gains (if any) on the 12 series. Improvements could come from better screen technology, software optimizations, and more efficient processors.
In theory, the processor name usually matches the watch number, suggesting an S12 chip this year. But since the Series 11 and Ultra 3 still run on the previous year’s S10 chip, the next upgrade could technically be an S11, which makes this year’s name a bit awkward.
New health features on the horizon
Apple has already ventured into blood pressure monitoring with hypertension notifications on Apple Watch (Series 10, Series 11 and Ultra 3). The feature alerts owners when it detects signs of abnormal high blood pressure, but it does not provide an on-the-spot reading. This could be on the table for fall 2026.
Other wearable health product companies like Omron and Med-Watch have proven that wrist-based blood pressure measurement is possible, although it is not as reliable as a traditional cuff and may require integrating new (larger) hardware onto the Apple Watch.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple tested the feature internally but encountered accuracy issues. And even if Apple succeeds this year, it might only measure basic trends similar to Samsung’s blood pressure feature on the Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra (not supported in the US).
Glucose monitoring is another long-standing rumor circulating, but according to Gurman, it’s even further away from a finished product than blood pressure and, realistically, wouldn’t appear until 2027.
The upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 could bring back TouchID.
Jeffrey Hazelwood/CNETBiometric authentication: Touch ID or Face ID?
Rumors of a camera on the Apple Watch have been circulating for a few years – not for selfies, but potentially for Face ID or AI-based image recognition.
Apple Intelligence on iPhone has introduced a visual search tool that uses the camera to identify objects and locations in real time, and it may only be a matter of time before this feature makes its way to the wrist. Meanwhile, processors focused on wearables, like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, already support cameras and even live streaming. Apple is known for using its proprietary chips, so this is unlikely to impact Apple’s timeline, but it shows the technology is there, and we might see it later on the Apple Watch. But not this year, according to Bloomberg.
A more feasible option in the short term might be Touch ID. Macworld recently spotted lines of internal code suggesting that Apple is experimenting with biometric authentication for the Apple Watch 2026 lineup. According to the report, the code refers to “AppleMesa,” which is Apple’s internal codename for a watch-based Touch ID. It’s still unclear whether the sensor would be integrated under the screen, as seen on Android phones, or integrated into the side button or Digital Crown.
Watch the OS 27 wishlist
Now that Apple has standardized its operating system names to match the coming year, you don’t need to be a genius to figure out that the next big update for the Apple Watch will be WatchOS 27.
With a major overhaul already in the books (5 new Apple Watch features coming with WatchOS 26), we’re not expecting a dramatic visual change this time around, but there are plenty on the wishlist, including better battery management tools and more customizable gesture controls. Apple could also expand Workout Buddy from metrics-based encouragement into more concrete training territory. This could bring it closer to what Samsung is trying with its AI-powered Running Coach.
Finally, I would appreciate a more robust symptom tracking system linked to the Vitals app, similar to Oura Ring’s Symptom Radar, which can flag early signs of illness.
A future Apple Watch could integrate advanced health sensors for instant blood pressure readings.
Green Tharon / CNETOther Health app updates
The upcoming WatchOS 27 release could also bring changes to the Health app. According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been working on a top-secret initiative named Project Mulberry, aimed at revamping the Health app with an AI-powered health concierge that could unify your health, fitness and medical data in one place.
However, the project has recently encountered some obstacles. The latest report from Bloomberg suggests that Apple has suspended its efforts (at least for this year). This still leaves room for improvement in the Health app with a potential overhaul of the main dashboard that would make it easier to spot trends.
Watch this: Apple Watch Series 11 review: Is the upgrade worth it?
