watchOS 26 Coming Monday: Here's What's New

[Pandyone]

Is it possible to know if the new Watches come with WatchOS 26 pre-installed?
I would not want any OS26 right now, but it's tempting with a new Watch.

 

[svish]

Good to see all the changes. Though I am excited to try out the new watch faces, will miss the ones that are being removed. Also will try out the new wrist flick gesture. Might be useful.

 

[wagszilla]

Maybe I'll be able to sync Music to my watch when the official version drops

 

[applyr]

So is the flick to dismiss gesture available on Series 10?

 

[Diopter]

Is it possible to know if the new Watches come with WatchOS 26 pre-installed?
I would not want any OS26 right now, but it's tempting with a new Watch.

Yes, this year's new watches all come with watchOS 26.

 

[Diopter]

So is the flick to dismiss gesture available on Series 10?

Yes, it's available on Series 10 and even available on Series 9. Also available on Ultra 2.

 

[elvislives]

I thought they said the hypertension alert still needed FDA approval?

Just got approved

 

[jonnysods]

I was going to play the old man card and hold off on mac/ios/watch updates to this liquid glass thing as I don't like the design and the demos seem to not play nice with my eyesight. But that hypertension feature may get me at least for the watch and phone.

 

[Pandyone]

But that hypertension feature may get me at least for the watch and phone.

I’m really interested in this feature too so it’s tempting to upgrade. But I really don’t want iOS26 yet.

 

[dmr727]

I'm just here for new Snoopy animations.

 

[Entilzha]

Why turn the crown when you just swipe up on the screen. The crown is pointless for that. Just my 2 cents.

Because the more I touch my screen, the sooner I have to clean it.

The option is there, and I use it. Spin one way, notifications. Spin the other way, Smart Stack.

 

[Sandstorm]

honestly the only place Liquid Glass really shines. It makes watchOS look beautiful.

Couldn’t disagree more. Liquid Glass looks okay on iPhone and iPad (still hit-and-miss in some areas, but mostly positive), but in my opinion watchOS 26 RC looks truly awful on my Apple Watch Ultra 2. Almost everything feels like a downgrade - from the PIN code entry (smaller buttons again and a confusing background shining through), to uglified icons, to generally slower performance. I expect the performance to improve and there are some nice additions, of course - especially the flick-to-dismiss gesture - but when I compare it to my other Apple Watch (still on watchOS 11), I much, much prefer the look and feel of watchOS 11.

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

Wait, what wallpapers are we losing with watchOS 26??…

 

[subjonas]

I downloaded the RC and let say that the flick to dismiss shortcut they added is the best thing they have added in years. I love it so much.

That's one of the main reasons I finally upgraded from my Series 3. Can't wait to use it.

 

[ultratiem]

Wait, what wallpapers are we losing with watchOS 26??…

watchOS has wallpapers???

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

lol watch faces ykwim

 

[ebika]

I downloaded the RC and let say that the flick to dismiss shortcut they added is the best thing they have added in years. I love it so much.

That's my favorite anticipated feature too. I'm going to wait for a few point releases before installing to let them iron out issues.

I'm just here for new Snoopy animations.

Are there confirmed new animations? I haven't seen info on this yet!

 

[LightProtector]

That's one of the main reasons I finally upgraded from my Series 3. Can't wait to use it.

I upgraded to my Series 10 from the 3 earlier this year. Fantastic upgrade!

 

[dmr727]

Are there confirmed new animations? I haven't seen info on this yet!

Not sure - but they always seem to add a few new ones with an update. I'm waiting a bit before I switch all my tech over to 26, but I'll be looking out for new animations when I do!