Apple just revealed the all new watchOS 26 during the WWDC 2025 keynote presentation, introducing a new design and improved functionality to the Apple Watch.
The 2025 update comes with significant design and intelligence improvements that align the Apple Watch with the rest of the ecosystem while making daily use more efficient.
The most immediate change in watchOS 26 is visual. Apple introduced a new design language built around what it calls Liquid Glass — a real-time rendering system that brings depth and light refraction to menus, pop-ups, and navigation elements.
The Smart Stack, Control Center, notifications, and even the Photos watch face all adopt this aesthetic, creating a sleeker, more expressive UI that feels fresh, albeit still very Apple.
Workout Buddy
Workout Buddy is a new Apple Intelligence–powered fitness feature that uses your workout data and fitness history to deliver real-time, personalized and motivational insights. | Image credit — Apple
With watchOS 26, Apple Intelligence arrives in the Workout app through a new feature called Workout Buddy. This AI-powered coach delivers spoken feedback and motivation during workouts, using data such as heart rate, pace, distance, Activity rings, and historical milestones.
Workout Buddy offers personalized encouragement, highlighting progress toward goals, celebrating achievements, and even recapping performance after a session. It’s powered by a new text-to-speech model trained using voice samples from Apple Fitness+ trainers, and it works with Bluetooth headphones when paired to an Apple Intelligence–capable iPhone.
For now, Workout Buddy will support running, walking, cycling, HIIT and strength training.
Smarter workouts and music pairing
Apple Music now uses your workout type and listening history to automatically pick a playlist or suggest music and podcasts you’ve previously enjoyed during similar workouts. | Image credit — Apple
The Workout app redesign continues, with simplified navigation with four new corner buttons for quicker access to features like Workout Views, Custom Workouts, and Race Route.
Users can also now set music or podcast playback to trigger automatically when a workout begins. Apple Music will suggest or autoplay personalized playlists based on recent habits and workout type.
Smart Stack grows more proactive
Smart Stack now provides proactive hints, offering timely and relevant suggestions, like prompting Backtrack when you're off the grid. | Image credit — Apple
watchOS 26 upgrades the Smart Stack with contextual hints that proactively surface helpful suggestions. These prompts appear subtly with Liquid Glass animations. For example, suggesting a Backtrack session when in a remote location or surfacing a Pilates workout when arriving at a familiar studio.
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Smarter messages, one-handed control, and more
Apple Watch now offers Live Translation in Messages, converting incoming texts into your preferred language. | Image credit — Apple
Messages on Apple Watch now support Live Translation through Apple Intelligence, allowing texts to be instantly translated into a user’s preferred language. The feature is available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 when paired with a supported iPhone.
Other upgrades include:
Wrist flick gesture: A new one-handed motion to dismiss notifications, silence timers, or decline calls.
Automatic volume adjustment: Apple Watch now dynamically adapts notification volume based on ambient sound levels.
Expanded Messages tools: Smarter replies, Check In suggestions, polls, and custom backgrounds all sync with iPhone.
Live Listen upgrades: Real-time captions now show on Apple Watch during iPhone audio sessions for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Notes app: Access, pin, and edit notes directly from your wrist with dictation, the keyboard, or Siri.
New watch face gallery: Apple also refreshed the watch face gallery, grouping faces into collections both on the watch and inside the Watch app for iPhone.
Compatibility and release
Developers can get their hands on watchOS 26 starting today via the Apple Developer Program, while a public beta will open up next month through Apple’s Beta Software Program.
The final release is scheduled for this fall and will be available as a free update for:
Apple Watch Series 6 and later
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
All Apple Watch Ultra models
An important note is that Apple Intelligence features like Workout Buddy and Live Translation require newer iPhones, more specifically the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any of the iPhone 16 models — with Siri and the device language set to a supported language.
As it's always been the case, feature availability may vary by region and device, so check Apple’s official site if you want to be sure.
Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.
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