We’re nonetheless counting down the times till the 2025 Worldwide Builders Convention, and Apple’s huge occasion is creeping nearer. We have not heard an excessive amount of about what we’d see in watchOS 26, however there are a couple of hints based mostly on rumors, data about different updates, and options that Apple typically provides to on a yearly foundation.
Nami
Reasonably than naming the next-generation model watchOS 12, Apple goes to name it watchOS 26. All the software program updates coming this yr shall be numbered “26,” reflecting the September 2025 to September 2026 launch cycle.
watchOS 26 will launch alongside iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26, all of that are being renamed.
Design Replace
The overhauled design that Apple is introducing for iOS 26 will even prolong to the Apple Watch, although the modifications to watchOS is probably not as dramatic because the iOS 26 refresh.
With iOS 26, Apple is introducing a design referred to internally as “Solarium.” Because the title suggests, it focuses on a glass-like look that is really impressed by visionOS. Buttons, search interfaces, tab bars, and home windows might undertake a translucent design paying homage to frosted glass.
Floating menus, rounder buttons, and simplified navigation have been rumored, too. watchOS already makes use of spherical app icons and buttons, so it’s going to match proper in. Apple might undertake the Solarium search for issues just like the app drawer, notifications, and Management Heart.
Apple’s intention is a extra constant design throughout all of its software program platforms.
New Watch Faces
If watchOS is getting a design replace to match iOS 26, Apple will probably add new watch faces which might be designed with the brand new model.
Apple Intelligence
The Apple Watch does not have the processing energy to run Apple Intelligence on-device, however it’s rumored to be getting some “powered by Apple Intelligence” options that might depend on its hyperlink to the iPhone.
There are rumors that Apple will add an AI-powered battery administration function to iPhones working iOS 26, and comparable performance would make lots of sense for the Apple Watch. On the iPhone, the function will analyze gadget utilization and make optimizations to maximise battery life.
Proper now, options like ChatGPT Siri integration and Writing Instruments do not prolong to the Apple Watch, however these are choices that Apple might add. The Apple Watch additionally does not help notification summaries or content material summaries on the whole.
AirPods Sleep Detection
The Apple Watch might combine with the AirPods to pause content material that is enjoying when the wearer falls asleep. It is a rumored function for iOS 26, however the AirPods don’t have any sleep detection performance, so the choice would want to make use of Apple Watch information.
Well being App
Apple is growing an up to date model of the Well being app for launch in iOS 26, however it’s not clear if we’ll see it on the keynote occasion as a result of it is not going to be prepared immediately.
Apple needs so as to add AI-powered well being teaching options that can present customers with personalised well being suggestions, and any function like that can depend on Apple Watch information and options.
Teaching might embrace knowledgeable info on well being circumstances, health ideas, and methods to make constructive way of life modifications.
Apple can also be stated to be growing a meals monitoring function that will let customers log what they eat all through the day, and the Apple Watch can be a handy method so as to add meals to a day by day consumption listing.
Well being Options
Apple has been growing a blood strain monitoring function for the Apple Watch, and if it is able to go for the 2025 fashions, there might be a brand new blood strain app in watchOS 26. The function will alert customers if hypertension is detected, however it will not present particular systolic and diastolic readings.
It isn’t but clear if blood strain monitoring is able to launch resulting from developmental issues, so it is one thing that we’d not see till the 2026 Apple Watch fashions.
Health
Apple usually provides new exercise sorts and options with new watchOS releases. One space that is missing is power coaching, and Apple Watch customers have to obtain third-party apps for counting reps. That is one thing that the Apple Watch might get sooner or later. Apple has patented a way for rep monitoring that makes use of the iPhone’s digital camera.
Security
In 2024, Apple submitted a patent for an Apple Watch function that will have the ability to decide when the wearer is drowning, which might be a logical addition to crash detection and fall detection. There isn’t any phrase that Apple has plans to launch this function in watchOS 26, however it’s one thing that is within the works behind the scenes.
WWDC 2025 Occasion Information
Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote will start on Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will dwell stream the occasion on its web site, on YouTube, and within the TV app.
For those who’re not in a position to watch dwell, we’ll have a dwell weblog and protection of the bulletins right here at MacRumors, plus we’ll be dwell tweeting the occasion on the MacRumorsLive account.
