Apple is working on an all-new version of the Apple Watch, which is set to launch in September alongside new iPhone 17 models. There doesn't appear to be anything groundbreaking in terms of design, but we could see some new health-related features.
New Modem Technology
Right now, the Apple Watch uses Intel cellular modems that are limited to LTE connectivity, but Apple is planning to instead adopt technology from MediaTek for future Apple Watch models. MediaTek's modem chip supports 5G RedCap, which is a 5G service specifically designed for wearables that don't need standard 5G speeds.
5G RedCap could bring 5G connectivity to the Apple Watch, which would likely be an improvement over the existing LTE connectivity options.
Chip Improvements
The Apple Watch Series 11 will feature an updated S11 chip, but according to internal code, it's essentially the same as the S10 with no major improvements expected.
Health Features
Apple is working on a blood pressure monitoring feature, and it might be ready for launch in the 2025 models. There have been rumors of development issues that could push it back, so it's still unclear if blood pressure monitoring will be a Series 11 feature.
When blood pressure monitoring comes to the Apple Watch, it won't provide exact systolic and diastolic measurements, instead simply monitoring for hypertension and providing an alert if the condition is detected over time. Hypertension is a serious issue where a person's blood pressure stays high over time, and it is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other health issues.
After receiving a hypertension alert, an Apple Watch user could provide that information to a medical professional for additional testing, similar to how the existing atrial fibrillation features work in the Apple Watch. Apple has been running into problems with accuracy and reliability that could cause delays.
watchOS 26
The Apple Watch Series 11 will run watchOS 26, which Apple is beta testing now. watchOS 26 includes an all-new Workout Buddy that is designed to motivate you during workouts.
Workout Buddy relies on a paired iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, and it uses a text-to-speech generative AI model created using voice data from real Apple Fitness+ trainers. Workout Buddy sounds like a real personal trainer that can encourage you to get through your workout and meet your fitness goals.
watchOS 26 also includes a Liquid Glass redesign that matches the Liquid Glass look of iOS 26, plus it has an updated Smart Stack, a revamped Control Center, new gestures, and more.
A full list of what's new in watchOS 26 can be found in our watchOS 26 roundup.
What Happened to Redesign Rumors?
Ahead of when the Apple Watch Series 10 launched, there were rumors that Apple was working on a special anniversary version of the device, or an "Apple Watch X" with a major design overhaul. That redesign was said to include a thinner casing and a new way for bands to attach to the device using a magnetic connection, which would have meant that existing bands would not be compatible with new Apple Watch models.
With the Series 10, we did get a thinner casing, but there was no new band attachment system. It's not clear if that's been scrapped entirely, but it's not a rumor that has popped back up for the Series 11.
Apple didn't acknowledge the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch last year, so that could be something that will come up with the Series 11 launch.
Future Apple Watch Updates
Apple is working on some much more exciting updates for future versions of the Apple Watch, but we're still several years away from most of them.
- Built-in cameras for Visual Intelligence.
- Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, a feature Apple has been working on for years for diabetes prevention.
Launch Date
We're expecting the Apple Watch Series 11 to be announced on September 9 alongside new iPhone 17 models.
