What to Expect From Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 - MacRumors

What the report says

MacRumors reports that Apple’s expected Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 updates may be relatively modest this year, citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. According to the report published Sunday, July 26, 2026, Gurman does not expect either model to bring major exterior design changes compared with the current Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

That outlook casts doubt on recent rumors highlighted by MacRumors, including speculation that Touch ID could come to the Apple Watch Series 12 and a separate claim that Apple might add a health sensor to a watch band. Gurman was not reported as confirming either feature. Instead, MacRumors says he expects more routine upgrades, such as faster performance and unspecified health and fitness tracking improvements.

One notable potential change is the processor. MacRumors notes that the Series 11 and Ultra 3 use Apple’s S10 chip, which first appeared in earlier models, so a newer chip could represent the first meaningful Apple Watch speed upgrade in several years. Gurman also reportedly said Apple does not plan to release an Apple Watch SE 4 this year.

Looking further out, MacRumors says Gurman indicated more significant Apple Watch changes are being developed but are unlikely for another year or two. The report also says Apple continues work on blood sugar detection, with a target of releasing the feature by 2030. As with all pre-release Apple product reporting, plans may change before any official announcement.