Apple Watch Series 12 release date expectations, price estimates and upgrades

What we know so far

The Apple Watch Series 11 isn't even out yet, and is expected to come out in September alongside the iPhone 17 series. However, rumors are already starting to show up about Apple's 2026 Apple Watch, potentially the Apple Watch Series 12. 

Obviously, not a lot is known about the timepiece at the moment, but talks in the industry are starting to appear. According to rumors coming from the supply chain and analysts, Apple is prepping serious upgrades and a major redesign for next year's smartwatch. 

Rumors indicate the Cupertino tech giant may add eight sensors to the Apple Watch Series 12, and potentially, we might see an upgrade in what the smartwatch can do in terms of health management. The expected blood pressure monitoring that is said to come with the Series 11 may not make it in time for 2025, but 2026's Apple Watch has a more likely chance of offering it. 

In the meantime, non-invasive blood glucose monitoring has been in the rumor mill for Apple Watches for quite some time now. Maybe 2026 is the year we finally get to see these rumors come to fruition. 

Also, the usual will be there as well: a new chip, new watch faces, and potentially new health features, if the rumor about the additional sensors is accurate. 

Apple Watch Series 12 release date

Apple Watch Series 11 price

Apple Watch Series 12 features and software

With watchOS 26, the OS that Apple is prepping for the Series 11, Apple Watch fans are getting a new experience and a redesigned look. The new Liquid Glass design will be consistent with iOS and macOS as well, unifying Apple devices with the same look of the software. 

Now, the Apple Watch Series 12, coming next year, may sport watchOS 27. Given that Apple redesigned watchOS this year, I'm more inclined to believe that the next iteration of watchOS will bring new features but potentially not a huge redesign. It may be more of a quality-of-life update. 

However, the rumor about the eight new sensors on a future Apple Watch is interesting. It's not known what these sensors will do, but most likely they will be connected to health features. 

Blood pressure monitoring

Blood pressure monitoring was rumored for the Series 11, but the latest rumors indicate that it may not come with the 2025 Apple Watch. Of course, there is the possibility that Apple will not abandon the tech completely, and it may be ready in time for the Series 12 in 2026. 

Apple's main competitor, Samsung, offers blood pressure monitoring on its smartwatches, so the Cupertino tech giant is a bit late to the party here. 

Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring 

This one is tricky. It's been a few years since we've been consistently hearing that Apple is working on non-invasive blood glucose monitoring for an Apple Watch. But all these rumors are still to come to fruition, and they may not happen with the Series 11. There's a possibility it might happen with the Series 12, but I'm not entirely convinced just yet. 

The tech is tricky, though. People who rely on blood glucose monitoring need absolutely accurate information to manage their health. Now, a smartwatch is not a medical device (and may not ever be), so I wonder how accurate and reliable Apple can make blood glucose monitoring on a smartwatch be.  

Other features

Apart from that, the Series 12 may bring a wide variety of workouts, ECG, blood oxygen, irregular heart rhythm notifications, sleep monitoring, wrist temperature, and other health metrics. Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and Fall Detection are also likely to be there. 

Apple Watch Series 12 hardware and specs

Should I wait for the Apple Watch Series 11?