Apple Watch Reportedly Set to Receive 'Significant Redesign' Next Year

[satchmo]

Perhaps a ‘significant redesign’ internally.

But 8 lines on the underside side of the sensor is certainly not a significant redesign, externally.

 

[WinstonSmyth]

So the new watch may have "Apple Intelligence". Is this even a thing? Apple has been pretty silent about it since it name came to be last year. I think most people have given up.

 

[klasma]

Apple already patented it

https://www.patentlyapple.com/2025/03/apple-thinks-outside-the-box-and-invents-a-new-apple-watch-design-with-a-foldable-display-and-dual-cameras.html

Ah, the new wristtop form factor.

 

[seek3r]

it’s probably the Ultra because it’s such an ugly watch. Nothing elegant or futuristic about it.

If you take a look at competitors to the Ultra, and the “rugged” “sport” watch target market the design makes sense. It’s catering to the folks that want that kind of watch

 

[Rafagon]

Don't we hear this every year? Wasn't this year supposed to be the 10th anniversary redesign? Next year is Taylor Swift's xx birthday... Etc...

It'll be the Tàylor Edition. Because it needs a grave accent in order to look cool.

 

[tbeaumont]

At least one new Apple Watch model launching next year will feature a "significant redesign," according to Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes.

In a paywalled report this week, citing supply chain insiders, DigiTimes claimed that a high-end 2026 Apple Watch model will feature "exterior design" changes, with "eight sensors arranged in a ring pattern visible through a glass cover on the watch's underside."

Earlier this year, images of an alleged Apple Watch Series 10 prototype surfaced, and the device had a never-before-seen ring with eight white lines in it. It is unclear if that is the same ring that DigiTimes is referring to, but it seems similar, so perhaps it is still coming on the Apple Watch Series 12 and/or Apple Watch Ultra 4 next year.

An alleged Apple Watch Series 10 prototype (Image Credit: @StellaFudge)​

More sensors would make sense, as the Apple Watch continues to get more health features. For example, Apple has reportedly been testing a feature that could alert you to signs of high blood pressure. This feature was first rumored well before the Apple Watch Series 10 launched, but Apple continues to face development challenges. It is unclear if the feature will be ready in time for the Apple Watch Series 11 next month.

Beyond sensors, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman once reported on the possibility of a redesigned Apple Watch with a thinner case and a magnetic band system. While the Series 10 is the thinnest Apple Watch ever, the magnetic band system has still never materialized.

The report also says the Apple Watch Series 11 will support Apple Intelligence, enabling smarter health management capabilities, but we are skeptical about this claim due to Apple Watch performance and RAM limitations. However, watchOS 26 adds some new features "powered by" Apple Intelligence, with reliance on a paired iPhone.

DigiTimes has a notoriously hit-or-miss track record, so this report warrants a healthy dose of skepticism. Moreover, the publication has become more of an aggregator of Apple rumors in recent years, but it still publishes some original reports from time to time. Earlier this week, it published an "exclusive" report corroborating rumors that Apple is planning a new lower-cost MacBook with around a 13-inch display and an A18 Pro chip.

Given that the 2026 Apple Watch lineup is still over a year away, there is plenty of time for more rumors, so we should find out if this report is accurate in due time.

Article Link: Apple Watch Reportedly Set to Receive 'Significant Redesign' Next Year

So much time wasted talking about next years products by the experts. Seems like it is a distraction from the lackluster products this year.

 

[TNman]

it’s probably the Ultra because it’s such an ugly watch. Nothing elegant or futuristic about it.

Mmmmm sounds like a “I can’t afford the ultra” kind of post

 

[TNman]

my mom wants a circlular optiion.

Tell her to get a galaxy

 

[JoeDownUnder]

Mmmmm sounds like a “I can’t afford the ultra” kind of post

Mmmmm sounds like an 'apple sheep' kind of post

 

[Ctrlos]

They can do what they like but it needs better internals to give it 5 days of battery or one whole day on 5G.

 

[Apple_Robert]

We have heard this same rumor for years.

 

[turbineseaplane]

An interesting way to say: "Don't buy an Apple Watch in the next calendar year"

 

[XboxEvolved]

So what I would be afraid of is that they make an "Ultra" watch with aluminum versus titanium or something. I am totally fine with the current design of the Ultra and am planning to get the Ultra 3 this year.

 

[turbineseaplane]

They’ve lost all credibility. A “complete redesign” now means slightly different angle on the curves and last year’s processor with a new name.

Agreed .. like with Liquid Glass, which really is more of just a UI skin/theme.

(I wish it was a true "theme" and we could choose from a few options to suit our prefs/needs and not have such a polarizing change forced down our throat)

 

[The_Martini_Cat]

Dayum! More knurling points!! Can hardly wait!!! Pretty sure I have a series 9, which I got just before Blood Oxygen went away for everyone else. Now I can think about upgrading, I can get a series 11 just before many confusing blood pressure recommendations arrive on everyone's wrist. I'd go for a slightly faster processor just so the watch's camera controller updates its little preview a bit better. An amazing feature under the right circumstances, I got a great 20-person family picture last summer using the camera controller and my phone. 🍸😸

 

[Octavius8]

useless watch “upgrades” since s6.
Please give us a way to use NFC for simple access door as any Android watch can do.
Please give us interesting health summaries/insigths of our data every day/weekend/month, the current way is not a a summary. Make new summary graphics for exercise, for steps, for heart rate, etc. after 10 years of health data the “summary” is at most, primitive.

 

[kirbyrun]

 

[t0rqx]

Can we get an iPad app ?

It takes the A30 to power that. Just like it needs the A19 to power the calculator app.

 

[azentropy]

Only so much you can do with a rectangle.
Would love to see a circular version. Yes I know the rectangle is more efficient use of space, but for what I've used my Apple Watches for (0,1,3,5,8,9) a circular would be just fine!

 

[UltimaKilo]

Unless there’s been a major breakthrough, I just don’t believe that these features will come in the S12, but I’m hopeful for the S13 with more RAM and a new SoC.

 

[ninetyCent]

Mmmmm sounds like a “I can’t afford the ultra” kind of post

Sounds like the kinda person who tells people how much they can afford all the time while making less than everyone else. Perfect demographic for marketing people.

 

[Dulcimer]

This is very welcome but I'd also very much welcome thinner bezels. I love my Series 10, but I was disappointed at how big the bezels were when it was unveiled.

Yes! It’s disappointing that the past several years of updates has barely moved the needle on bezels on the Watch. Meanwhile, the iPhone keeps reducing. Having a full-screen non-black watch face fill the screen casing edge to casing edge would be gorgeous.

 

[applegeek2024]

this is always DA problem with this company nowdays. All the features and new design is always next year and not this year

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I just want one that's round and thinner. I don't need it to do all of these fancy things, just display notifications and tell me the time.

 

[Corpuscle]

They can do what they like but it needs better internals to give it 5 days of battery or one whole day on 5G.

I'm sure Apple would love to talk to you about how you would accomplish your task.