All eyes are on Apple’s September 9 “Awe Dropping” occasion, the place a recent batch of Apple Watches is predicted to take heart stage alongside the brand new iPhone 17 lineup. While the Series 11 will virtually actually headline, Apple might have already tipped its hand on the subsequent Ultra. Imagery discovered within the iOS 26 public beta (first noticed by MacRumors ) reveals show specs that do not match any present mannequin, and the two-year replace cycle solely strengthens the case that the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on the horizon.With the clues stacking up, this is a take a look at all the things we all know, suspect and may fairly count on from Apple’s 2025 smartwatch lineup. Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content material and lab-based critiques. Add CNET as a most popular Google supply. Watch this: Apple Watch Series 11: What to Expect
05:23 How many Apple Watches will we get? Based on the standard replace cycle and now the newest clues in iOS 26, we’re a minimum of getting a flagship (Series 11) and an Apple Watch Ultra 3 as revealed by a reference in Watch OS 26. Also doubtless is the opportunity of getting a next-gen SE mannequin, based on a report from Bloomberg’s Apple analyst Mark Gurman. The Apple Watch Ultra and the cheaper SE line have not precisely adopted a predictable improve cycle however final 12 months’s absence might show a powerful clue that 2025 could possibly be the 12 months that we get all three once more. According to Gurman, the brand new Ultra and Series 11 are largely anticipated to look the identical, whereas the SE might get a refreshed exterior. The Ultra might additionally get satellite tv for pc connectivity and 5G RedCap community entry that may convey even essentially the most distant adventures “on the grid.” CNET Apple Watch Series 11 worth and availability Traditionally, new fashions go on sale anyplace from just a few days to a few weeks after the keynote. This 12 months, that would imply preorders opening on Friday, Sept. 12, with availability beginning the next Friday, Sept. 19. That mentioned, latest years have seen delays due to manufacturing points and it is nonetheless unclear how newly imposed tariffs may have an effect on the launch timing and pricing in 2025. For context: the Series 10 begins at $399 for the bottom mannequin, whereas the Ultra 2 is available in at $799. The different query is what the most costly variant might be — strong gold, diamond-encrusted Hermès, anybody? James Martin/CNET Apple Watch Series 11 design The Series 11 is predicted to maintain the slim, flat-edged design launched on the Series 10 (42mm and 46mm), however Apple’s new Corning partnership means the entire glass defending the show might be made within the US. Not solely does the information make for an awesome advertising and marketing bullet; it might additionally trace at improved sturdiness, sustainability advantages and, probably, sooner restore turnarounds if alternative glass is sourced domestically. If the leaked iOS 26 imagery holds true, the Ultra 3 will even have the same design and barely bigger display screen with a 422×514-pixel decision (up from the Ultra 2’s 410×502 pixels). This could possibly be achieved by slimming down the bezels whereas maintaining the identical total case measurement, in step with Apple’s custom of maximizing display screen actual property with out making the already-large Ultra any bulkier. According to MacRumors, the Apple Watch might additionally get a extra energy-efficient display screen, perhaps an improved LTPO show with increased decision and higher brightness, which, on paper, might assist enhance the battery life. This could possibly be reserved for the higher-end Ultra 3, which can doubtless in any other case hold its unique design. Meanwhile the extra reasonably priced SE might see a extra in depth design overhaul; it will hold the physique of the Series 8 and, based on Gurman, get a number of upgrades from the Series 10, like an always-on show. Apple Watch Series 11 processor Apple usually bumps up the processor with each new smartwatch, so we should always see an Apple S11 chip this time round for a minimum of the Series 11 and Ultra 3. The Ultra 3 can be rumored to get satellite tv for pc connectivity and 5G help, however based on Gurman, these options doubtless will not make it to the Series 11. Considering final gen’s improve cycle, my private wager would even be on the SE getting a processor bump as much as the S9 chip, at the moment discovered within the Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Series 9. The Series 10 fees sooner than earlier Apple Watches however the battery lasts the identical size of time. Celso Bulgatti/CNET Apple Watch Series 11 battery If there’s one factor on everybody’s wishlist, it is higher battery life. The Series 10 launched sooner charging — 0% to 80% in simply 30 minutes in contrast with 90 minutes on earlier fashions — however there’s room for enchancment in battery capability itself. While there are no rumors indicating that new Apple Watches will get an extended battery life, I actually hope Apple addresses the battery as a result of its smartwatches are falling behind. Some Android fashions use twin chipsets to divide duties and optimize battery life. I’d prefer to see Apple undertake the same technique and at last push battery life to 2 full days on a single cost for normal fashions. I hope the Ultra, which at the moment will get a full 72 hours on a cost, will get the sooner charging of the Series 10 and pushes its battery life limits past three days. Getty Images/Tharon Green/CNET Apple Watch well being and health upgrades There’s been a persistent rumor about blood stress monitoring lastly making its option to the Apple Watch, but it surely’s unclear when it will likely be prepared. According to a March report from Gurman, Apple has already been testing the function in its smartwatch however has run into issues. Other wearables well being corporations like Omron and Med-Watch have confirmed it is potential to measure blood stress from the wrist, however including this function would doubtless require new sensors and a bulkier design. It would even be much less exact than devoted well being units like Omron’s and measure baseline metrics just like the Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra (which is not supported on Samsung watches within the US). Blood stress and glucose monitoring have additionally been thrown within the combine however the latter won’t be totally baked for this cycle, based on Gurman. Level A WatchOS glow-up on the Series 11 Apple additionally gave us a preview of the brand new interface for the Apple Watch with WatchOS 26 at its builders convention in June. The new UI replace features a new “Liquid Glass” show with glassy, clear design language that mimics the one seen in visionOS. The redesign options clear overlays for icons and notifications, leading to a extra uniform feel and look throughout Apple’s ecosystem. Google made the same transfer with its redesigned UI, Material 3 Expressive, for Android telephones and smartwatches with Wear OS 6. Want a full breakdown of all the things Apple introduced, together with the brand new iOS 26 and its eye-catching Liquid Glass design? Here’s all the things you missed at WWDC 2025. Health and health teaching WatchOS 26 additionally launched an AI-powered Workout Buddy to the Apple Watch, providing encouragement and real-time suggestions throughout particular exercises. Most of the heavy lifting will occur on the iPhone, that means the function requires pairing the watch with a more recent Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. The Series 11 (and Ultra 3) might push this additional by leveraging their extra highly effective chipset. This might embrace teaching that goes past simply the exercise app, probably debuting on the Series 11 after which additionally rolling out to appropriate Apple Watches. According to Gurman, Apple has been engaged on a significant Health app revamp, code-named Project Mulberry, that may convey AI suggestions and actionable well being and health insights to customers. The new “Health Plus” app would doubtless arrive as a part of an iOS 19 replace, working in tandem with WatchOS 11 to assemble and course of information. Health teaching is one thing different opponents, like Garmin and Fitbit, provide by way of their platforms through premium (paid) subscriptions. It’s not clear whether or not Apple would cost further for these options, or in the event that they’d be baked into the usual Health app at no further value. The Apple Watch might take some design cues from visionOS on the Apple Vision Pro headset. Apple/Screenshot by CNET Additional future Apple Watch surprises There’s one other rumor floating round that the Apple Watch might get a digicam — not for selfies, however for AI-based picture recognition. With the discharge of Apple Intelligence, Apple launched a visible search instrument on the iPhone that makes use of the digicam to supply related details about objects and locations. According to a report by Gurman, Apple is exploring this selection, and even when the corporate decides to maneuver ahead with the expertise, it doubtless would not make its option to the Apple Watch till the 2027 fashions. While it isn’t anticipated for this launch, it might trace what sort of AI integration will arrive with WatchOS 12. By distinction, WatchOS 11 lacks any Apple Intelligence options. A foldable Apple Watch idea printed within the US Patent Application Publication in March 2025. United States Patent Application PublicationA fair further-fetched clue hints at a foldable Apple Watch with two cameras. A latest Apple patent, first uncovered by Patently Apple, and printed by the US Patent and Trademark Office in March, particulars an Apple Watch design that includes a foldable display screen and one other with a dual-screen show that both folds or slides out. The further screens might give the Apple Watch extra actual property to develop its performance and make it much less reliant on the iPhone. The similar patent additionally factors to the opportunity of two cameras on this dual-screened look ahead to both AI processing or video calls. Apple usually recordsdata patents effectively earlier than any associated expertise seems in an precise product, so even when this idea does stay to see the sunshine of day, we’re not anticipating it to make its public debut anytime quickly.
© Copyright - TechSwitchCF