Apple simply confirmed its “Awe dropping” occasion for Sept. 9, at Apple Park, and we’re anticipating a contemporary lineup of Apple Watches to take the stage. The headliner will probably be the Apple Watch Series 11, however Apple might have additionally tipped its hand on the Ultra 3. MacRumors uncovered imagery buried within the iOS 26 public beta exhibiting show particulars for what’s probably the next-generation rugged watch. With the occasion simply days away, the clues are stacking up. Here’s a take a look at the whole lot we all know, suspect, and might fairly count on from Apple’s 2025 smartwatch lineup.Apple Watch Series 11 worth and availabilityTraditionally, new fashions go on sale anyplace from a number of days to a few weeks after the keynote. This yr, that might imply preorders opening on Friday, Sept. 12, with availability beginning the next Friday, Sept. 19. That stated, latest years have seen delays as a result of manufacturing points, and it is nonetheless unclear how newly imposed tariffs would possibly have an effect on each 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 costliest variant shall be — strong gold, diamond-encrusted Hermès, anybody? CNETHow many Apple Watches will we get?Based on the standard replace cycle and now the most recent clues in iOS 26, we’re a minimum of getting a flagship (Series 11) and an Apple Watch Ultra 3 as revealed by reference in Watch OS 26. Also probably, is the potential of getting a next-gen SE mannequin, in keeping with 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 yr’s absence might show a powerful clue that 2025 may very well be the yr we get all three once more. The new Ultra and Series 11 are principally anticipated to look the identical, whereas the SE may very well be getting a refreshed exterior, in keeping with Gurman. And the Ultra might get satellite tv for pc connectivity and 5G RedCap community entry that might deliver even probably the most distant adventures “on the grid.” James Martin/CNETApple Watch Series 11 designThe Series 11 is anticipated to maintain the slim, flat-edged design launched on the Series 10 (42mm and 46mm), however Apple’s new Corning partnership means all the glass defending the show shall be made within the US. Not solely does the information make for an important advertising and marketing bullet; it might additionally trace at improved sturdiness, sustainability advantages, and doubtlessly 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 may very well be achieved by slimming down the bezels whereas maintaining the identical general 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 larger decision and higher brightness, which, on paper, might assist enhance the battery life. This may very well be reserved for the higher-end Ultra 3, which can probably in any other case maintain its unique design. Meanwhile the extra inexpensive SE, might see a extra intensive design overhaul; it might maintain the physique of the Series 8 and, in keeping with Gurman, however get a number of upgrades from the Series 10, like an always-on show. Apple Watch Series 11 processorApple sometimes bumps up the processor with each new smartwatch, so we must 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 in keeping with Gurman, these options probably 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 present discovered within the Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Series 9. The Series 10 prices sooner than earlier Apple Watches, however the battery lasts the identical size of time. Celso Bulgatti/CNETApple Watch Series 11 batteryIf 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 really 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 present 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/CNETApple Watch well being and health upgradesThere’s been a persistent rumor about blood stress monitoring lastly making its option to the Apple Watch, nevertheless it’s unclear when it is going to 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 firms like Omron and Med-Watch have confirmed it is doable to measure blood stress from the wrist, however including this function would probably 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 may not be totally baked for this cycle in keeping with Gurman. LevelA WatchOS glow-up on the Series 11Apple 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 appear and feel 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 the whole lot Apple introduced, together with the brand new iOS 26 and its eye-catching Liquid Glass design? Here’s the whole lot you missed at WWDC 2025.Health and health teachingWatchOS 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 moderen 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, doubtlessly 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 might deliver AI suggestions and actionable well being and health insights to customers. The new “Health Plus” app would probably arrive as a part of an iOS 19 replace, working in tandem with WatchOS 11 to assemble and course of information. Though it is nonetheless unclear which units would help it, we might get a primary look as early as June 2025 at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference.Health teaching is one thing different rivals, like Garmin and Fitbit, supply via their platforms by way of premium (paid) subscriptions. It’s not clear whether or not Apple would cost additional 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 CNETAdditional future Apple Watch surprisesThere’s one other rumor floating round that the Apple Watch might get a digital camera — not for selfies, however for AI-based picture recognition. With the discharge of Apple Intelligence, Apple launched a visible search software on the iPhone that makes use of the digital camera 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 probably 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 revealed within the US Patent Application Publication in March, 2025. United States Patent Application PublicationA good further-fetched clue hints at a foldable Apple Watch with two cameras. A latest Apple patent, first uncovered by Patently Apple, and revealed 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 broaden its performance and make it much less reliant on the iPhone. The similar patent additionally factors to the potential of two cameras on this dual-screened look ahead to both AI processing or video calls. Apple typically recordsdata patents effectively earlier than any associated expertise seems in an precise product, so even when this idea does reside to see the sunshine of day, we’re not anticipating it to make its public debut anytime quickly.
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