Leaked S11 Chip Details Reveal No Major Performance Upgrades for 2025 Apple Watches

[MacRumors]

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 will have an updated S11 system in package (SiP), but it may not bring much in the way of processor performance improvements.

Apple accidentally leaked some internal information about the upcoming chip, and it turns out it will have the same T8310 architecture as the S9 and S10 chips in the Series 9 and Series 10 Apple Watch models.

It's not unusual for Apple to use the same architecture across multiple versions of the S-series chips for the Apple Watch. The S6, S7, and S8 chips all had the same core technology.

The S9 and S10 chips use two "Sawtooth" performance cores like the A16 Bionic chip, so while it is older technology, it's still a lot of power for a wrist-worn device. It's a 64-bit dual-core processor with a 4-core Neural Engine, second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, and 64GB storage space.

Though the underlying technology is the same, Apple could make other tweaks. With the S10, for example, Apple redesigned the chip with a thinner profile so it would take up less space inside the watch.

With the S11 chip set to stay largely the same in the 2025 Apple Watch models, it's likely Apple's upcoming S12 chip for 2026 will use a new microarchitecture with performance improvements.

Though Apple's code only gave us insight into the Ultra 3 and Series 11, there were codenames for future devices as well:

• N227: Apple Watch Series 11
• N228: Apple Watch Series 11 (Cellular)
• N230: Apple Watch Ultra 3
• N237: Apple Watch Series 12
• N238: Apple Watch Series 12 (Cellular)
• N240: Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch SE 3 are expected to debut at Apple's upcoming September event.

Article Link: Leaked S11 Chip Details Reveal No Major Performance Upgrades for 2025 Apple Watches

 

[germanbeer007]

that's what everyone is asking for: more performance on a watch. right? /s

 

[MacUserFella]

This is truly Apple, slapping a new number on it with no changes at all

 

[MacUserFella]

Also, we’re seriously just gonna skim over the 2026 Apple Watch leaks? Sure, it’s not as exciting as an iPhone leak, but it’s still interesting

 

[germanbeer007]

MR failing to mention ultra 2 is the same as S9. Ultra 3 would be an upgrade over Ultra 2 in terms of performance.

 

[jz0309]

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 will have an updated S11 system in package (SiP), but it may not bring much in the way of processor performance improvements.

Apple accidentally leaked some internal information about the upcoming chip, and it turns out it will have the same T8310 architecture as the S9 and S10 chips in the Series 9 and Series 10 Apple Watch models.

It's not unusual for Apple to use the same architecture across multiple versions of the S-series chips for the Apple Watch. The S6, S7, and S8 chips all had the same core technology.

The S9 and S10 chips use two "Sawtooth" performance cores like the A16 Bionic chip, so while it is older technology, it's still a lot of power for a wrist-worn device. It's a 64-bit dual-core processor with a 4-core Neural Engine, second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, and 64GB storage space.

Though the underlying technology is the same, Apple could make other tweaks. With the S10, for example, Apple redesigned the chip with a thinner profile so it would take up less space inside the watch.

With the S11 chip set to stay largely the same in the 2025 Apple Watch models, it's likely Apple's upcoming S12 chip for 2026 will use a new microarchitecture with performance improvements.

Though Apple's code only gave us insight into the Ultra 3 and Series 11, there were codenames for future devices as well:

• N227: Apple Watch Series 11
• N228: Apple Watch Series 11 (Cellular)
• N230: Apple Watch Ultra 3
• N237: Apple Watch Series 12
• N238: Apple Watch Series 12 (Cellular)
• N240: Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch SE 3 are expected to debut at Apple's upcoming September event.

Article Link: Leaked S11 Chip Details Reveal No Major Performance Upgrades for 2025 Apple Watches

with the rumored new features like satellite messaging, 5G etc - none should "need" more performance of the S chip, but wondering how much more efficient that new chip is ...

 

[anakin44011]

I'm so disappointed. I was all ready to run the full version of DeepSeek on my wrist.

Apple is just falling so far behind...our unreasonable expectations...

 

[UltimaKilo]

Not bring “much” or any?

 

[Kar98]

The previous upgrade was “you can now have a sweeping second hand always on” and the one before that “no more blood oxygen sensor for you”.

 

[BornAgainMac]

So this year, we won't see AAA games in the Watch App Store.

 

[socialwill]

Still rocking the Ultra 1 and its works like a champ!

 

[CalMin]

I suppose greater efficiency trumps better performance. Other than my OG Series 0 Apple Watch, I've never felt that my watch runs slowly.

 

[bmark]

What performance upgrades was anything expecting? The watch has the most basic options since it was launched! Garmin destroys them in functionality. it's borderline embarrassing that a trillion dollar company doesn't offer a more sophisticated Apple Watch.

 

[aj8690]

The S9 and S10 chips use two "Sawtooth" performance cores like the A16 Bionic chip, so while it is older technology, it's still a lot of power for a wrist-worn device.

The watch SIP uses efficiency cores, not performance.

 

[BorisDG]

The watch SIP uses efficiency cores, not performance.

Exactly. Everest are the performance.

 

[Gengar]

Aside from adding 5G, it's only so much they can do with a watch.

 

[JPack]

MR failing to mention ultra 2 is the same as S9. Ultra 3 would be an upgrade over Ultra 2 in terms of performance.

Seems you failed to read or understand the article.

 

[WilliApple]

Sooooo this means I am 100% skipping this year too.
The Series 6, 7, AND 8 will drop support at the same time, this means that the 9, 10 and 11 will too...

 

[germanbeer007]

Seems you failed to read or understand the article.

Seems you failed to read or understand what I wrote.

S10 would allow for more room in the ultra 3 for more battery life and such.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Sooooo this means I am 100% skipping this year too.
The Series 6, 7, AND 8 will drop support at the same time, this means that the 9, 10 and 11 will too...

Doesn't seem logical to make a decision about an unreleased product based solely on this information which, for all intent and purposes shed no light on any real new updates and abilities of the new watch.

 

[GuruZac]

Crazy some would see that as disappointing. I have the original Ultra, got from launch date, and it’s still snappy and battery (cellular turned off) still last all day with 40-50% remaining by end of day with a 30 min workout plus 12+ hours on wrist. Plan to upgrade to Ultra 3 or may even wait for Ultra 4.

 

[JPack]

Seems you failed to read or understand what I wrote.

S10 would allow for more room in the ultra 3 for more battery life and such.

You wrote "performance," now it's "battery life."

Sneaky.

 

[germanbeer007]

You wrote "performance," now it's "battery life."

Sneaky.

Performance of battery life is a thing.

Apple: "Batteries - Maximizing Performance"

Batteries - Maximizing Performance

Maximize the life and lifespan of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in your MacBook, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

www.apple.com

It's not sneaky at all, but I am glad that you realized your misunderstanding.

 

[JPack]

Performance of battery life is a thing.

Apple: "Batteries - Maximizing Performance"

Batteries - Maximizing Performance

Maximize the life and lifespan of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in your MacBook, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

www.apple.com

It's not sneaky at all, but I am glad that you realized your misunderstanding.

Nice try.

 

[TSE]

If I can't run ChatGPT on my Apple Watch natively, it's useless.