Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Updates Expected Next Year
WHO:
9to5Mac - Apple is in "late-stage testing" of three new Apple Watch models, including the Series 12 and Ultra 4.
Engadget - Apple is the company involved in the updates for the Apple Watch.
MacRumors - Mark Gurman is a Bloomberg journalist who provided insights on the expected updates.
WHAT:
9to5Mac - The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 are expected to be announced in September.
9to5Mac - The new Apple Watch models will feature a new chip with better performance, marking the first new processor since the Series 9 and Ultra 2 in 2023.
DigiTimes - Apple is working on a new version of the Apple Watch’s high blood pressure notification feature.
MacRumors - Touch ID is rumored to be coming to the Apple Watch Series 12, but Mark Gurman stated he does not expect it to have any major design changes compared to the Series 11 and Ultra 3 models.
MacRumors - Gurman expects more ordinary changes for the Series 12 and Ultra 4, including unspecified improvements to health and fitness tracking.
MacRumors - Bigger changes for the Apple Watch are in the works but are unlikely to arrive for another year or two.
Engadget - Apple will refresh its Series 12 and Ultra 4 watches with better specifications.
MacRumors - The Series 12 and Ultra 4 are not expected to have any major design changes compared to the Series 11 and Ultra 3 models.
MacRumors - The Series 12 is rumored to potentially include a band with an embedded health sensor, but this was not confirmed by Gurman.
MacRumors - The Series 11 and Ultra 3 currently use an S10 chip, and the Series 12 is expected to feature the S11 chip or newer, marking the first performance improvements in years.
MacRumors - There will not be an Apple Watch SE 4 released this year.
WHEN:
MacRumors - The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 updates are expected to be released next year.
MacRumors - Apple is developing a blood sugar detection feature with a goal of releasing it by 2030.
WHY:
9to5Mac - Apple is focused on health and fitness updates and speed improvements for the upcoming models.
MacRumors - The updates aim to provide faster performance and unspecified improvements to health and fitness tracking.
HOW:
MacRumors - The expected updates will include the introduction of a new chip (S11) to enhance performance.
(UPDATED July 27, 2026 06:11 UTC)
Apple is currently in late-stage testing of three new Apple Watch models, including the Series 12 and Ultra 4, which are expected to be announced in September. These new models will feature a new chip that promises better performance, marking the first new processor since the Series 9 and Ultra 2 were introduced in 2023. Additionally, Apple is developing an updated version of the high blood pressure notification feature, emphasizing their commitment to health and fitness enhancements in these upcoming releases.
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(UPDATED July 26, 2026 20:18 UTC)
Touch ID is rumored to be making its way to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 12, although Mark Gurman suggests that there won't be any significant design changes from the Series 11 and Ultra 3 models. He anticipates more standard updates for the Series 12 and Ultra 4, including enhancements to health and fitness tracking features. While bigger changes are planned for future models, they are not expected to debut for another year or two.
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(UPDATED July 26, 2026 19:27 UTC)
Apple is set to refresh its Series 12 and Ultra 4 watches with improved specifications, although there won't be any major design changes compared to their predecessors. The Series 12 is rumored to potentially feature a band with an embedded health sensor and will include the new S11 chip, marking the first performance upgrades in years, while the updates are expected to be released next year. Additionally, Apple is working on a blood sugar detection feature, aiming for a release by 2030, as part of their commitment to enhancing health and fitness tracking capabilities.