4 mins ago, By Michael Simon

Biggest camera improvement in years

48MP Fusion Camera with variable aperture that adjusts automatically based on the scene. When you’re in a darker environment, the aperture opens to let in around 50% more light, while night mode captures are faster with better quality.

9 mins ago, By Michael Simon

45 hours of battery life!!

IPhone 18 Pro has a next generation vapor chamber that helps the system manage even more heat. It has three times the surface area as the one in iPhone 17 Pro. Deionized water is constantly cycled throughout the system for significantly improved thermals. Combined with the new chip’s efficiancy, you’ll get 36 hours on the iPhone 18 Pro and an absolutely insane 45 hours on the 18n Pro Max.

Michael Simon

A20 Pro Chip

Apple’s newest iPhone chip has Apple’s latest six core CPU featuring two of our new super cores that are up to 20% faster and four efficiency cores, all integrated with neural accelerators that power low latency on device AI workloads as a significantly advanced GPU and  a new version of the neural accelerators with 2x faster 8-bit floating point math.

Jason Cross

Who needs a new iPhone?

So far, the iPhone 18 Pro pitch is all about how you should be excited for iOS 27 and now about why you would need or want a new iPhone.

18 mins ago, By Michael Simon

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

A20 Pro with new CPU core and GPU core, and “massive advancements in the most important areas intelligence, performance, battery, and camera.”

New colors: Silver, Deep Black, Glacier (Light Blue), and Burgandy (Dark Cherry).

Not only that, you can write and edit with Siri virtually anywhere you type, like generating an email to your kids soccer coach while on the go. Plus Siri AI sounds incredible. That’s because iPhone 18 Pro takes advantage of our most advanced on-device model ever, which powers expressive voices. You can pick from multiple options, then customize the pace and expressivity.” But we’ve seen all this before.

Siri AI will have usage limits but “most iCloud+ plans” will offer increased access.

19 mins ago, By Michael Simon

Intelligent personal hub

This isn’t a new product category but rather an explanation of what the iphone is: “First, you would want something that is always with you, deeply personal and able to bring intelligence to the moments when it matters most. You’d require a powerful processor that can run incredibly capable on-device models to quickly answer questions in the moment and pervasive networking to access knowledge and even more capable models in the cloud.

There’s no product in the world better designed to be your intelligent personal hub than iPhone.”

Jon is describing Apple Intellgence’s privacy and iPhone’s AI abiltities. “So today we’re going to take these experiences even further with the next generation of iPhone. And here it is.”

24 mins ago, By Michael Simon

This is the opening!

A video montage of actors describing how a show or movie should open and then Tim Cook starts narrating the video of “our main character, no no no,. not me, that’s your guy.” And it’s John Ternus.

24 mins ago, By Michael Simon

Here we go!

The music has faded and the blue Apple logo has given way to an iPhone 17 Pro camera, with a message, “The following was shot on iPhone.”

35 mins ago, By Michael Simon

Apple start your engines!

We’ve got less than 10 minutes until we get out first look at Apple’s folding iPhone project! Get ready everyone!

55 mins ago, By Michael Simon

30 minutes to go!

Get a snack and a drink and meet us back here at 10am PT/1pm ET for the start of the show!

2 hours ago, By Michael Simon

No surprises at Surprise and Shine

It looks like Apple’s iPhone event will be filled with more Shine than Surprises. According to Mark Gurman’s somewhat playful tweet, Apple is holding back some rumored products that are supposedly ready to launch, including the touchscreen MacBook, Apple TV 4K, and HomePad smart home hub. As he quips, “don’t worry. It’s only September.” So you can probably expect at least one more event later this fall.

3 hours ago, By David Price

A few thoughts on phone colors (and fun)

For several years now I’ve complained about the fact that basic iPhones, despite costing less, come with much nicer colors than their Pro equivalents. Why can’t Pro users have fun too?

Perhaps Apple heard me, because last year’s Pro-exclusive Cosmic Orange was arguably Apple’s funnest color yet. (I’m using that word deliberately to prepare readers for the likely grammatical crimes of today’s Apple event.) But if the pre-launch rumors are true, that was only the precursor for a huge anti-fun announcement today.

The iPhone 18 Pro, according to our sources, will come in black, silver, light blue, and a charming burgundy branded as Dark Cherry. Less fun, arguably, than the green, blue, and lilac which the iPhone 17 will continue to offer (because its successor won’t arrive until the spring). But infinitely more fun than the poor iPhone Ultra/Duo, which is expected to come in just two colors: dark blue, and white. Despite starting at $2,000, and going all the way up to $3,000 if you want the top storage tiers.

The more you pay, the less fun you get. Make it make sense, Apple.

David Price / Foundry

3 hours ago, By David Price

So, about that Duo name…

It’s been pointed out in the Macworld offices that Microsoft wasn’t the first tech company to use the name Duo on a product. Apple itself had the PowerBook Duo, a line of laptops sold between 1992 and 1999. Which therefore predate the Surface Duo by the small matter of 28 years.

More recently, there was the (not terribly good) MagSafe Duo charger. And in a matter of hours, if Mark Gurman’s sources are correct, we will get the iPhone Duo.

Christopher Phin / Foundry

3 hours ago, By Michael Simon

John Ternus teases the iPhone 18 Pro's top feature

In a tweet to followers ahead of the big event, new CEO John Ternus shared a 12-second video of a beam of light that first shines at the viewer and then pans down to shine on what appears to be a camera lens. It’s hard to see it as anything other than a tease for the iPhone 18 Pro’s rumored variable aperture camera. At any rate, it’s certainly a departure from Tim Cook’s keynote messages, which were filled with little more than vague excitement.

X/@johnternus

3 hours ago, By Michael Simon

Apple Pencil on an iPhone?

Apple has never allowed you to use your Apple Pencil on anything other than an iPad, but the folding iPhone could change that. According to Mark Gurman, the iPhone Ultra/Duo will indeed support Apple Pencil, so you’ll be able to doodle and draw on the screen just like you can on your tablet. It’s not clear whether both screens will support Apple’s stylus or just the inner one, though.

5 hours ago, By Michael Simon

iPhone 18 Pro price hike might not be so bad

We’ve been bracing for an iPhone price increase ever since Apple hiked prices on Macs and iPads by hundreds of dollars in June. A new report from Mark Gurman claims they won’t be as bad as that: Apparently the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will cost $100 more than the current models, in line with previous price hikes.

6 hours ago, By David Price

The Apple Store is down. Something is coming

As part of the usual pre-event ritual, Apple has taken down its online store. “We’re making updates to the Apple Store,” the text reads. “Check back soon.”

It’s hard to believe that a company with Apple’s resources needs five hours to update an electronic storefront, but by this point it’s become a tradition more than anything else. And maybe there’s some element of kindly advice to customers: “Please don’t buy anything this morning, it’ll be outdated by lunchtime.”

Apple

6 hours ago, By David Price

Spotted: Hardware IDs for new Apple products!

It’s not exactly a secret that Apple is about to announce a bunch of new hardware products, but it’s still surprising to see the evidence in black and white before the event begins. But sure enough, dozens of new Apple hardware identifiers have been spotted on the company’s services backend.

It’s important to note that these won’t necessarily all appear today; the iPhones and Apple Watches, for sure, but the Macs and iPads are likely to be delayed until later in the fall. (We don’t know for sure if there will be an October/November event. They may just appear in a press release.) The real enigma, however, is HomeAccessory17,1 and its two siblings. Could that be the much-anticipated smart home hub? We’ll find out in a few hours.

8 hours ago, By David Price

Breaking: Folding iPhone will be called… Duo

Forget iPhone Ultra, forget iPhone Fold… the latest breaking news is that Apple’s first ever folding handset will be called the iPhone Duo. That’s according to Mark Gurman’s sources, and he’s generally well informed when it comes to information like this.

Gurman made his last-minute prediction in an article (subscription required) this morning. He also claimed the device will start at $2,000, have a short-and-wide design, and go on sale in October, later than the other new iPhones. But we knew all that already. The name is the real bombshell.

Some may accuse Apple of copying Microsoft, whose Surface Duo was a pioneer in this field. On the other hand, maybe Microsoft should have kept that brand going; the line was discontinued nearly two years ago. The Duo brand also goes rather nicely with Neo, as in MacBook. And, please note, it was one of the options mentioned by my colleague Emma Rowley earlier this week.

More on this story here.

9 hours ago, By David Price

Don't forget the AirPods

They’ve got slightly lost in the iPhone Ultra hype, but Apple is also expected to launch the AirPods 5 today. These aren’t the camera-equipped models you may have seen doing the rounds after Apple accidentally leaked them (they’re not expected to arrive until next year). Instead, the main new feature of the AirPods 5 will be improved active noise cancellation, likely made possible by the inclusion of a new H3 chip. Bloomberg leaker Mark Gurman yesterday confirmed this–based on his sources, at any rate.

10 hours ago, By David Price

It's the big day!

After months of speculation, it all comes down to this. Today’s the day for the first ever folding iPhone, and so much more.

Welcome to Macworld’s live blog for the September 9 Apple event. The event itself kicks off at 10 am PT, and is likely to last around 70 minutes. But our coverage here will last throughout the day. We’ll be bringing you breaking news and last-minute rumors for the next 9 hours or so, before bringing you the announcements (along with our expert analysis) as they happen. Then of course there will be masses of discussion of the new products after Apple’s livestream ends.

It’s going to be fun. Enjoy the ride!

15 hours ago, By Michael Simon

More cases offer a glimpse at the new iPhone designs

Casemaker dbrand has added cases and skins for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max and the iPhone Ultra, in case you want to get a jump on buying one. This doesn’t necessarily confirm anything about the new phones other than the company thinks the rumors are pretty solid, since the design and colors they show almost perfectly match the reports we’ve been reading for months.

16 hours ago, By Michael Simon

New Apple TV could be bigger than expected

We’ve been hearing reports that a new Apple TV 4K is on the way for a while. We’re not expecting it to be much of an update, but the latest information in the rumor mill suggets that it could be bigger than we thought. According to Aaron Perris on X, the new Apple TV has an identifier of AppleTV18,1, which indicates that it will have an processor in the A19 family, making it one of the most powerful devices in Apple’s lineup and much fasterl than A15 in the current model.

What does that mean for AI features? Gaming? Smart home? We’ll find out soon.

20 hours ago, By Michael Simon

It's gotta be the shoes

It won’t just be the iPhone 18 Pro with the hot new color this year. New Balance is feeling the Dark Cherry vibes with the release of its New Balance 990v4 in a new Monarch Burgundy option. They’re not quite the 992s that Steve Jobs wore, but someone at New Balance has clearly been reading the iPhone rumors.

Foundry

22 hours ago, By Michael Simon

What's going on with the Apple Watch SE 3?

With less than a day to go before the keynote kicks off, there’s an interesting development concerning the Apple Watch SE 3. Over at Apple.com, every possible combination is listed as “currently unavailable” for delivery or pickup. And if you order one at Amazon, you won’t get a delivery date. That’s strange.

For comparison, you can order a Series 11 or Ultra 3 without a problem. I’ve been covering Apple events for many years and have never seen an entire product spontaneously disappear from the store less than a day before the event is supposed to start. I don’t know what to make of it.

Chris Martin / Foundry

23 hours ago, By Michael Simon

More Apple Watch features revealed?

A code spelunker has discovered a few clues hidden in the iOS 27 beta that point to new Apple Watch features. There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking, but the Series 12 watch will reportedly get an updated heart-rate sensor as well as a significant storage boost to 128GB. Apple last updated its heart-rate sensor with a 3rd-gen model with the Series 6, so a new sensor is definitely overdue. As far as the storage goes, it’s probably related to on-device Apple Intelligence models, because I don’t know why anyone would need that much storage on their watch.

1 day ago, By Michael Simon

Brand-new Readiness app coming to watchOS 27

Mark Gurman reports that Apple is planning to launch a new Readiness app alongside the new Apple Watches tomorrow “as a variant of the Vitals app.” The Vitals app on Apple Watch brings together key health metrics such as heart rate, sleep, and blood oxygen to give users a deeper understanding of their daily health, so this app will presumably use similar information. Gurman says this new app will “better compete with software from Whoop & Oura” along with improved heart-rate sensing on the new watches.

1 day ago, By David Price

This year's hot color: Burgundy

Rumors strongly suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will be available in a classy new Dark Cherry finish: a rich burgundy wine color. (If that’s not your bag, don’t worry. There will also be more prosaic dark gray and lightish blue options.) We expect this color to be wildly popular, much as Cosmic Orange was last year. But Apple won’t have the burgundy phone market all to itself.

Ever since the dark-red iPhone rumors started, Android manufacturers have been falling over themselves to copy Cupertino’s colorway, from the Poco F9 Ultra and Tecno Camon Slim 5G to the Huawei Pura X View and Xiaomi 18 Fold. As Tech Advisor reports, burgundy is the new orange. And pre-emptive plagiarism is the new originality.

Poco, Macworld, Huawei

1 day ago, By David Price

One More Thing… but what?

“We have great respect for these words,” said Tim Cook in 2017, “and we don’t use them lightly.” Those words, of course, were One More Thing.

That little phrase has signalled the arrival of some of Apple’s most iconic products and services, including the iMac G4, the MacBook Pro, FaceTime, the Apple Watch, Apple Music, and the iPhone X. Will it be uttered this year, and if so, what will it herald?

We discussed this on the podcast, and figured it would be a nice moment if new CEO John Ternus got the chance to utter those immortal words as part of his debut. (Debut as overall event host, that is. He’s spoken in individual segments before now.) The most obvious product to get the One More Thing treatment is the iPhone Ultra, but a bigger surprise would be the arrival of Apple’s long-rumored smart home hub. Either would work.

But Macworld readers put forward other ideas. At the less serious end, jimrock reckoned “It’d be really sick if he announced a $2,000 monitor stand” while Adam Moran proposed “One more thing: Now shipping iPhones with a charger.” Hashtag courage.

Moving on to things that could happen (but won’t), Rob K put forward “One more thing: iPhone Air 2 with 6,000 mAh silicon carbon battery, three cameras, and no stupid fold.” And Tower Lord suggested “AI-driven smart glasses. Minus the creep factor found in Meta glasses. Instead, true spatial computing. The ultimate personal computer.” Get rid of the AI part and we’re on board.

And finally, a note of sanity from Mike: “One more thing was Steve’s thing. Can we please stop measuring every CEO against Steve and let them be their own leaders?”

Apple

1 day ago, By Michael Simon

All eyes on the crease

When Apple (allegedly) unveils its first folding iPhone tomorrow, Greg Joswiak or whomever gets the honor of announcing the phone on the stream, will talk about the displays, interface, cameras, design, and anything else Apple feels is worth highlighting. What they probably won’t spend a lot of time talking about is the crease.

Ever since Samsung’s first folding phone arrived, the center display crease has been an issue. It’s gotten better over the years, but it’s still the biggest hurdle for new customers to overcome. Even on the newest phones, you can see it when it’s opened and feel a little valley while using it. It’s flies in the face of Apple’s pursuit of perfection and likely the reason why we haven’t gotten a folding iPhone until now.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Apple had devised a way to overcome the crease with a combination of ultra-thin glass (UTG) and an optically clear adhesive that allows “the folding area to be locally thinned at the bending axis to improve bendability.” Samsung’s newest flagship phone features a display with a 60-micrometer UTG layer, which is likely a similar material to what Apple will use.

No folding phone has been able to completely eliminate the crease. Will Apple be the first?

Luke Baker

1 day ago, By David Price

John Ternus and the honeymoon period

Tim Cook chose an interesting moment to resign from the CEO hotseat: September 1, a week before the biggest event of Apple’s year. It’s understood that he did this so that John Ternus could have the fun and credit of announcing the iPhone Ultra himself, and begin his reign on a positive note. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has referred to this as a “massive tailwind” for the incoming CEO.

But Gurman has plenty more to say about recent squabbles and politicking at the top of Apple’s hierarchy, and there could be some complications for the new boss. Read the Macalope’s latest article for all the dirt and some very convoluted metaphors.

1 day ago, By David Price

iPhone Ultra, or iPhone Fold?

Sad to say for an event with the word surprise in its tagline, but there don’t seem to be many mysteries left concerning the foldable iPhone. With one notable exception: its name.

In the early days, most pundits referred to the rumored device as the iPhone Fold for obvious, logical reasons. But in the spring, we all started calling it the iPhone Ultra, even though, features-wise, that doesn’t entirely make sense. And with just one day to go until the announcement, case makers still can’t decide between the two options, with some plumping for Fold and others for Ultra in their pre-launch marketing materials.

And this all assumes that Apple won’t pull a last-minute switcheroo and go for iPhone Duo or iPhone Folio instead.

Over on our sister site Tech Advisor, Emma Rowley discusses the thorny question of the foldable iPhone’s name.

1 day ago, By David Price

Will you fold?

Last year, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air competed for the title of Apple’s flagship handset. The Air was certainly more interesting, but the Pro Max was a far better specced, more powerful phone (not to mention more expensive). But this year there will only be one clear winner: the iPhone Ultra. Will you yield to temptation and pay what’s likely to be more than $2,000 for Apple’s first foldable smartphone?

One commenter on our YouTube channel is leaning towards no.

“If I was purchasing an iPhone and an iPad at the same time, then I would consider the Fold as it might work out cheaper than buying two separate devices,” writes christopherclarke6184. “But I am happy with my iPad M4 and iPhone 17 Pro Max so won’t be upgrading for a while… unless Apple has something special I may need. I’ll still be watching the show, though.”

Apple will be hoping for strong interest from the early adopter crowd, but given that this is an entirely new market for the company and a very high price, moderate sales may be enough in the short term.

1 day ago, By David Price

Who is John Ternus?

One big difference this year is that the main host will be Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, rather than Tim Cook. Ternus is a relative unknown to members of the public, and Apple fans will be keen to see how he handles hosting duties. Will he be a showman, like Steve Jobs? Quietly professional, like Cook? Or something new and unique to himself?

That’s not to say we’ve got no idea how he’ll carry himself in a presentation. As head of hardware Ternus spoke at multiple keynotes and product launches in the past, including the iPhone reveal last fall. His manner was very positive, with lots of superlatives, while being unafraid to delve into technical detail. But acting as main host is a different assignment, so we may see a new side to him on Wednesday.

In the meantime, read Alex Blake’s piece on the new boss, in which he describes Ternus as “the perfect CEO for this Apple era.”

Apple

2 days ago, By Michael Simon

Folding iPhone color options will be unique

Our sources report that Apple will offer the iPhone Ultra in just two colors for its debut. The first is silver, which we expect from a new iPhone, but the other is a little different: Dark Blue. Apple regularly offers its iPhones in various shades of blue, of course, but it’s rare for a brand new model to arrive in anything other than black and white.

2 days ago, By Michael Simon

No time for Tim

According to Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, Tim Cook won’t make an appearance in this year’s keynote. While he reports that he will be at Apple Park for the event, Cook has officially and completely handed the reins to Ternus, who will be the face of the Surprise and Shine event.

2 days ago, By Roman Loyola

Surprise and Shine iPhone event: Podcast preview

On the newest Macworld Podcast, Michael Simon and Jason Cross talk about what to expect at Apple’s Surprise and Shine iPhone event. What iPhones will Apple release? How will John Ternus do in his first keynote as Apple CEO? And will there be a “One more thing”? Get ready for the event by tuning in to the podcast.

2 days ago, By Michael Simon

Cases, cases everywhere

The iPhone Ultra doesn’t exist yet, but you can find cases all over social media. It’s worth noting that case manufacturers don’t get information from Apple ahead of events, but they pay very close attention to the rumors and some probably have their own sources in the supply chain. Are they real? We’ll know in just a couple days.

2 days ago, By David Price

Surprise? What surprise?

Apple has given this week’s showcase the tagline “Surprise and Shine.” But what’s the big surprise? Apple’s September events are among its most predictable, almost always revolving around new iPhones and new Apple Watches, and sometimes new AirPods.

• September 2025: iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods
• September 2024: iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods
• September 2023: iPhones, Apple Watches
• September 2022: iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods
• September 2021: iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads

Is John Ternus going to spring a surprise in 2026? After asking this question on TikTok we’re unconvinced by the idea of an Apple alarm clock (sorry), but another reader’s proposal of a “tabletop Pixar light robot personal assistant with Siri” is a little more plausible. That sounds a lot like the rumored smart-home hub which Apple has been working on for years, and could make an appearance this week. It could even turn up as One More Thing at the end and make for a fun encore.

But ultimately the most likely outcome is that, as far as Apple is concerned, the widely expected foldable iPhone counts as the surprise. To those of us who live in the Apple rumor bubble the iPhone Ultra (or iPhone Fold) now looks like virtually a sure thing for Wednesday’s presentation, but to the wider community it’s far less well known. And officially, of course, it doesn’t even exist. Surprise!

2 days ago, By David Price

We (probably) know the new colors

Apple loves to launch at least one new color for each iPhone generation. Partly this allows the company to prune the colors which sold poorly the year before and experiment with alternatives, but the main advantage is that it allows customers to show off the fact they’ve got a new phone, even if the design is otherwise the same. Those who bought the iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange last year got some major bragging rights.

Perhaps surprisingly, the wildly popular Cosmic Orange is expected to be dropped from the range this year. The two new finishes are a little less garish: a dark-red/burgundy wine color, expected to be branded as Dark Cherry, and a light blue. Macworld exclusively revealed these colors in the summer.

If you’d like to see more of the new finishes, take a look at this leaked video, which appears to show demo models of the iPhone 18 Pro (in blue) and 18 Pro Max (in Dark Cherry).

yeux1122 on Naver

2 days ago, By Michael Simon

iPhone pre-orders might start on Saturday

Generally, Apple opens up pre-orders for all the new iPhones and Apple Watches on the Friday following the Apple event at 5am PT. However, with 9/11 falling on Friday this year, it’s likely that Apple will delay the launch one day out of respect for the anniversary. Pre-orders instead are expected to begin on Saturday at midnight PT.

2 days ago, By Michael Simon

No iPhone 18 this week

In case you haven’t been following the rumors, Apple isn’t expected to launch a new iPhone 18 this week. That means the iPhone 17 will be on shelves alongside the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus for another six months. This would be the first time (other than the budget SE and e models) that Apple has spilt the new iPhones into separate launches and could create some serious FOMO for annual updaters.

2 days ago, By Michael Simon

Read our 100% real keynote leak*

Just like last year, we’ve gotten our hands on Apple’s iPhone event keynote script ahead of the big reveal, and we’re sharing it all with you: the bad jokes, clever marketing, outrageous prices, and big surprises. Read it all before it happens.

*May not be real

2 days ago, By Michael Simon

Follow along with all the latest updates

Welcome to the Surprise and Shine live blog! You don’t need to wait till Wednesday to get up to speed on everything Apple’s releasing. Over the next two days, we’ll share rumors, features, roundups, thoughts, reader comments, and lots more. Stay right here for everything you need to know.

Every New Apple Product Launched in 2026… so far

Here is what Apple has already announced in 2026:

• Mac mini M6 and M5 Pro: Faster storage, upgraded connectivity, and a strong focus on AI performance: New Mac mini 2026 guide.
• Mac Studio M5 Max and M5 Ultra: Faster AI and graphics performance, increased memory bandwidth: New Mac Studio 2026 guide.
• AirPods Max 2: Improved audio and the H2 chip. Find out more here: AirPods Max 2 guide.
• MacBook Neo: Apple’s brand new, low-cost Mac laptop. Find out more here: MacBook Neo guide.
• MacBook Air M5: Now with the M5 chip. Read about the 2026 MacBook Air here: MacBook Air M5 guide.
• MacBook Pro M5 Pro & M5 Max: A significant upgrade over the M4 series. Read: MacBook Pro M5 Pro & Max guide.
• Studio Display: Finally gets Thunderbolt 5 and a better webcam.
• Studio Display XDR: With mini-LED technology and ProMotion up to 120Hz.
• iPhone 17e: The new, entry-level, iPhone replaces the iPhone 16e. Read more here: iPhone 17e guide.
• iPad Air M4: The iPad Air now has an M4 chip. Read more here: iPad Air M4 guide.
• AirTag 2: Four years on Apple updated the AirTag, read our review here: AirTag 2nd gen review.

And… RIP Mac Pro: Apple has confirmed that it is discontinuing its tower workstation.

Read on to find out what new products to expect at Apple’s next event and throughout 2026.

Every New Apple Product Launching in 2026

In the sections below we’ve split the upcoming new products into categories including Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, Home, AirPods, and some new product categories.

Apple Intelligence, Siri and AI

iOS 27 and macOS 27 Golden Gate, will introduce a massive overhaul to Siri and expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities.

The All-New Siri AI

The most significant update is the transformation of Siri into Siri AI, a conversational assistant powered by Apple Intelligence.

Key Siri AI features coming later in 2026 include:

• Onscreen Awareness: Siri will understand and interact with what is displayed on your screen. For example, if a friend texts you an address, you can ask Siri to save it to a contact without leaving the app.
• Dedicated Siri App: A new standalone app will allow you to revisit previous conversations, pin important chats, and sync history across all Apple devices via iCloud.
• App Actions: Siri will be able to perform tasks within apps using natural language, such as editing a recently sent message or adding a song to a specific playlist.
• Visual Intelligence: On iPhone, a new Siri mode in the Camera app will allow users to point their phone at objects to ask questions or perform actions based on what they see. On Mac, users can select onscreen content to ask Siri questions about images or documents.
• Voice Customization: Users can personalize Siri with more natural voices and adjust the pace and expressiveness of the speech. This feature requires a M3 Mac with 12GB RAM or newer, or iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone Air and newer.

Apple Intelligence Across Apps

Beyond Siri, Apple Intelligence is being integrated system-wide to automate tasks and enhance productivity. Apple Intelligence will play a larger role across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, smart home devices, and future product categories.

Major updates include:

• Safari Productivity: The browser will automatically group tabs into topics, monitor pages for changes (like price drops) with a “Notify Me” feature, and even build custom extensions based on natural-language descriptions.
• Smarter Photo Editing: New tools include Spatial Reframing to improve composition after a photo is taken, an Extend tool to fill in missing areas when straightening horizons, and an upgraded Clean Up tool for removing distractions.
• Writing Tools and Communication: Mail and Messages will gain smarter replies that mimic a user’s writing style . System-wide Writing Tools will generate text from scratch, rewrite drafts, and adapt tone to match specific contacts.
• Image Playground: This tool has been revamped with better language models to create more natural-looking photorealistic images. It also allows users to create custom wallpapers on iOS 27.
• Intelligent Automation: The Shortcuts app will feature a “Describe a Shortcut” ability, allowing users to create complex automations simply by explaining what they want in plain English.

What new iPhones are coming in 2026 (and should you wait)?

Foundry

Based on current industry analysis and supply chain information, Apple has some significant changes planned for the iPhone in 2026, with an iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max and the introduction of a foldable iPhone expected alongside the release of iOS 27.

iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max

• September 9, 2026 update expected at event

The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch on September 9, 2026. The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to be the first to use Apple’s own C2 modem instead of Qualcomm’s. The base model may see a RAM increase to 12GB to better support on-device AI functions. A major redesign is expected, which could include a new Dark Cherry color, some under-display Face ID components and a smaller Dynamic Island, and the front camera could move to the upper-left corner of the display. Read about the iPhone 18 Pro here: iPhone 18 Pro rumors.

Foldable iPhone

• September 9, 2026 introduction expected at event

After years of rumors, Apple’s first foldable phone, potentially named the iPhone Duo or the iPhone Ultra, is expected to debut on September 9 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. It is expected to be a book-style foldable with a 7.8-inch inner display. Read more here: Apple’s folding iPhone rumors.

iPhone 18

• Spring 2027 launch expected

Reports suggest that Apple could delay the iPhone 18 and release that handset alongside the iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027.

Should you buy now or wait?

With prices expected to rise, buying an iPhone 17 Pro this summer was not the bad idea it would normally be, so if you bought one recently then don’t despair, you probably saved some money.

With the iPhone 18 launch not expected until the spring, now is a good time to buy an iPhone 17. Read: When is the best time to buy an iPhone.

What new iPads are coming in 2026 (and should you wait)?

Foundry

Don’t expect major redesigns for the iPads this year. Instead, Apple is likely to focus on faster chips and other internal upgrades. That said, both the iPad and iPad mini are due for an update – particularly the entry-level iPad, which currently lacks support for Apple Intelligence. Here’s what we expect Apple to announce:

iPad mini

• Late 2026 update possible

The current iPad mini (A17 Pro) was released in October 2024, and Apple’s update cycle for this model is generally infrequent. Based on current reports and analysis, the next significant update to the iPad mini is not expected until late 2026, with some speculation pointing toward 2027.

One rumored upgrade for the 2026 iPad mini is the transition to an OLED display, which could reduce manufacturing costs and improve battery life. There is also the possibility of a slightly larger screen, with a move from the current 8.3- to 8.7-inches suggested. There is also speculation that a future foldable Apple device could potentially replace the iPad mini line entirely, though this remains uncertain.

Internal code leaks suggest the future iPad mini could be upgraded to an A19 Pro chip, which would provide a significant performance boost over the current A17 Pro. An A18 Pro chip upgrade is also possible. Read our round up of iPad mini rumors.

iPad

• Late 2026 update possible

When the standard iPad was updated in March 11, 2025, the biggest disappointment was that it featured a A16 chip and therefore didn’t support Apple Intelligence. Apple looks set to rectify that in 2026 with an upgrade to the A18 or A19 chip, with the latter offering 50% better performance. The release timeline for an iPad with an A18 or A19 chip is anticipated before the end of 2026, in fact, Apple code suggests the company may be planning an update sooner-rather-than-later.

Read more about the 2026 iPad in our rumor round up.

Should you buy now or wait?

With the iPad prices increasing in June you may want to hold off buying one now. If you are going to pay more at least get the most up-to-date model, or buy from Apple’s Refurbished Store to get a bargain. Read Should I buy an iPad now or wait?

Which Macs are worth waiting for in 2026?

2026 is expected to be a significant year for the Mac, with Apple’s first touchscreen Mac rumored as part of a MacBook Pro redesign. March 3 saw the launch of the M5 MacBook Air and M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro and March 4 saw Apple introduce a new entry-level laptop – the $599 MacBook Neo.

The long expected Mac Studio and Mac mini updates came in August 2026 and go on sale September 22, although some high-memory Mac Studio configurations won’t arrive until later. These Macs have become popular for running AI models locally; however, global RAM shortages – driven by AI companies purchasing large amounts of memory for data centres – have been having a knock-on effect on availability during 2026 and these RAM shortages have also had an effect on prices, with Mac prices increasing by $300 to $500 in June and in the case of the Mac mini, by a further $100 with the 2026 lannch.

One Mac that won’t be getting an update is the long-neglected Mac Pro. Apple has confirmed that the Mac Pro will be discontinued in favor of the Mac Studio.

Touchscreen MacBook Pro

• Possible late 2026 introduction

Foundry

There are rumors that the MacBook Pro will get a redesign including notch-free OLED touchscreen, potential 5G connectivity and a thinner body. At one point it was expected that this new MacBook Pro would feature M6 Pro and Max chips, but the latest indications are that Apple will use M5 Pro and M5 Max chips instead in an effort to keep the project on schedule.

Read the rumors about the M6 MacBook Pro with a touch screen.

iMac

• Unlikely 2026 update

The current M4 iMac was released in October 2024, so an M5 update might seem timely and could be released alongside other potential M5 Mac updates.

The current iMac design was introduced in 2021 and is not expected to change soon. It is still considered fresh, and its components are not outdated. However, there are calls for Apple to introduce a larger screened iMac, something that has been missed since Apple discontinued the 27-inch model. Many feel that the 24-inch screen is too small. Read about the larger iMac rumors.

Should you buy now or wait?

With the prices of Macs increasing in June due to the global RAM shortages you may want to hold off buying one now. If you are going to pay more at least get the most up-to-date model, or buy from Apple’s Refurbished Store to get a bargain. Read the following for more guidance:

• Should you buy the MacBook Pro now or wait?
• Should you buy the MacBook Air now or wait?
• Should you buy a Mac mini now or wait?
• Should you buy a Mac Studio now or wait?

Upcoming Apple Watches in 2026

Mahmoud Itani / Foundry

Apple updated all the Apple Watches in September 2025. Launching the Apple Watch Series 11 a new Apple Watch Ultra and a new Apple Watch SE. In 2026 the Apple Watch Series 12 and a new Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected.

With the Apple Watch rather than hardware changes the real interest tends to be the health and fitness related features. The following capabilities are expected in future iterations:

• Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring: This has been a long-rumored feature for the Apple Watch, but it is still considered to be a few years away with the technology unlikely to be ready for a 2026 release.
• AI-Powered Health and Fitness Coach: Apple has long been rumored to be working on a sophisticated AI coach. Recent reports from early 2026 suggest this project was “scaled back” to allow individual AI-driven features to ship sooner rather than waiting for a complete overhaul.
• Health+ Service Overhaul: There are ongoing rumors regarding a new service tier called “Health+” that would expand upon Fitness+. This service might integrate new AI-powered health features into a single subscription, potentially bundled with hardware purchases.
• Daily Readiness and Stress Tracking: Unlike competitors such as the Oura Ring 4 or Garmin, the Apple Watch currently lacks a “daily readiness” score or native stress tracking. Experts suggest these are obvious areas for future software or hardware updates.

Other new features could include Touch ID integration and microLED displays reaching 4,000 nits brightness. A thinner case, magnetic bands, and enhanced AI capabilities could also be on the cards.

If you have an older Apple Watch and are wondering whether to upgrade, this could be a good time as with watchOS 27 the compatibility list is smaller than ever and only the Watch SE 3, Series 9, 10 and 11, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and 3 – and the new models – will be compatible.

Apple Watch Ultra 4

• September 9, 2026 update expected at event

Expected to be a relatively modest update, with a faster S-series chip, improved health and fitness tracking and possibly better battery life, but no major redesign. Read more: Apple Watch 2026 updates. 

Apple Watch Series 12

• September 9, 2026 update expected at event

Rumored to bring a new S-series processor, longer battery life, enhanced health monitoring and possibly a ceramic finish, while retaining the familiar Series 11 design.

Should you buy now or wait?

If you need an Apple Watch today, the SE 3 is the safest buy, while the Series 11 and Ultra 3 are worth waiting on with new models expected in September. Waiting could bring new features, lower prices on current models, or both, making it the smarter choice for most buyers. Read more: Should I buy an Apple Watch now or wait?

Upcoming AirPods

According to a brief update in Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter for Bloomberg in August, Apple is aiming to launch camera-equipped AirPods this fall.

The new earbuds are expected to resemble the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, although it’s not yet clear whether they will also include a heart rate sensor.

The cameras are said to include both visible-light and infrared sensors, but they reportedly won’t be designed for taking photos or recording video, as their placement and image quality would make them unsuitable for those tasks. Instead, the cameras are expected to enable AI-powered features, such as hand gesture recognition, adapting audio based on the surrounding environment, and detecting whether someone is speaking directly to you or simply talking nearby.

Upcoming Apple Home devices

Mahmoud Itani / Foundry

Apple is expected to significantly expand its smart home ecosystem in 2026 and 2027 with new devices beyond its traditional Apple TV and HomePods.

Rumored products include a smart home hub that combines HomePod functionality with a touchscreen, an updated HomePod mini 2 and next-generation Apple TV are also expected.

This strategic push could help Apple catch up with competitors like Amazon and Google in the smart home market.

Apple’s push into the smart home market will be heavily reliant on a significantly improved Siri, which is expected to launch with iOS 27 and macOS 27 in the fall.

New and updated products are said to include:

HomePod mini 2

• Fall 2026 introduction

Foundry

A new HomePod mini is said to be on the way with a faster processor that can take advantage of the new Siri AI.

HomePod 3

• Fall 2026 introduction

A new HomePod with an updated chip is also expected.

Apple TV

• Fall 2026 update

The current Apple TV isn’t compatible with Siri so an update is needed. Apple TV leaks indicate a rumoured Apple TV is on Apple’s roadmap and that the update will bring Apple Intelligence to the set top box.

New Smart Hub

• Possible 2026 introduction

Multiple reports have suggested Apple will launch a smart home hub. Apple is said to be working on a number of HomeHub related products including a device said to mount a camera on a robot arm that can follow you around!

New Smart Display

• Possible 2026 introduction

Also rumored is an iPad-like smart display that allows you to control your home devices via HomeOS software. This may come with both a speaker base and a wall mount.

HomePod Touch

• Possible 2026 introduction

A new HomePod smart speaker with a screen is said to be coming. Read more here: New HomePod rumors.

Upcoming Vision devices, AR and spatial computing

Apple Smart Glasses

• Possible 2026 introduction, 2027 launch

Unlike the bulky Vision Pro headset, the upcoming smart glasses from Apple are expected to follow a form factor similar to the Ray-Ban Meta glasses. This will be Apple’s first product built specifically for “Visual Intelligence.” It will likely handle tasks such as live translations, music playback, phone calls, and turn-by-turn directions. Apple could provide a first glimpse or “preview” of the glasses by the end of 2026.

Vision Pro

• Possible 2027 update

Prior to 2026, Apple’s spatial computing strategy has focused on the high-end market, but reports indicate a more affordable version of the headset is in development. Apple has reportedly paused work on a successor to the high-end Vision Pro and will instead release a cheaper Vision Pro.

Apple Watch SE 3 bei Amazon kaufen

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Cores: natural ou preto
Pulseiras: loop Alpina, loop Trail, Oceano ou estilo milanês de titânio

Apple Watch Series 11

Material: alumínio ou titânio
Cores: cinza-espacial, prateado, ouro rosa, preto brilhante, natural, dourado ou ardósia
Tamanho: 42mm ou 46mm
Conectividade: GPS ou GPS + Cellular
Pulseiras: esportiva ou estilo milanês

Apple Watch SE 3

Cores: meia-noite ou estelar
Tamanhos: 40mm ou 44mm
Conectividade: GPS ou GPS + Cellular
Pulseira: esportiva

Which Apple Watches are expected on September 9?

Apple is expected to unveil two new Apple Watch models at its “Surprise and Shine” event on September 9: the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Apple Watch is one of the few Apple products that receives a predictable annual update, so a Series 12 launch is widely expected. The Ultra 4 is also due to replace the current Ultra 3.

Neither model is expected to receive a major redesign. Instead, both are likely to be relatively modest “chip and ship” updates, focusing on new processors, connectivity and other internal improvements while retaining broadly similar designs.

Which Apple Watch isn’t expected to be updated?

The Apple Watch SE 4 is not expected to launch in 2026. Apple updated its budget model with the Apple Watch SE 3 in 2025, and that version is likely to remain in the lineup for another year.

What new features are expected: At a glance

Apple Watch Series 12: expected new features

The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to be a modest upgrade, led by a faster S-series chip and potentially a larger battery. The design should remain largely unchanged, though ceramic finishes are possible. Continuous heart-rate monitoring is reportedly in testing, while Touch ID looks unlikely. Siri AI and other watchOS 27 features should provide the biggest everyday changes.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: expected new features

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 should retain the Ultra 3’s rugged design while gaining the same new S-series chip. Satellite connectivity will remain a key advantage, with watchOS 27 expected to expand its capabilities. Continuous heart-rate monitoring and Siri AI are also possible, while a major redesign, Touch ID and blood-glucose monitoring appear unlikely.

What is the Apple Watch 2026 release date?

The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected to be announced at Apple’s September iPhone event on Wednesday, September 9, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the new iPhone Ultra.

Apple has launched a new Series Apple Watch every September since 2016, usually alongside the latest iPhones, so the arrival of the Series 12 is all but certain. The Ultra 4 is also widely expected to appear at the event.

Preorders are likely to open shortly after the announcement, with shipping expected to begin later in September.

Apple Watch 2026 chips

The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 are expected to feature a new, faster S-series chip, although there is some uncertainty over whether Apple will call it the S11 or S12.

Unlike some recent Apple Watch generations, where processor changes have been relatively modest, the 2026 chip is expected to deliver a more meaningful improvement in performance and efficiency. It should also provide more headroom for new watchOS 27 features and increasingly demanding on-device AI capabilities.

That could be particularly important as Apple raises the hardware requirements for watchOS. watchOS 27 supports Apple Watches with an S9 chip or later, dropping several older models, suggesting newer silicon is becoming increasingly important for features such as Apple’s more advanced Siri capabilities.

As a result, the Series 12 and Ultra 4 are widely expected to be relatively straightforward “chip and ship” updates, with the processor upgrade among the most significant changes. A faster chip could also help keep the new watches compatible with major watchOS features for longer.

Will the 2026 Apple Watch get a new design?

David Price / Foundry

A major redesign is not expected for the 2026 Apple Watch lineup. Both the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 are likely to retain the same overall design language as their predecessors, with this year’s upgrades focused more heavily on internal changes.

Last summer, a DigiTimes report raised hopes that 2026 could bring the Apple Watch its first substantial redesign in years. However, similar rumors have appeared before without materialising, including reports of a dramatically redesigned Apple Watch Series X.

More recently, Weibo leaker Instant Digital claimed that neither the Series 12 nor the Series 13 will receive a major new look, with a more significant redesign instead expected in 2028.

There has also been little evidence from Apple’s supply chain of a radically redesigned chassis. We’d therefore expect the Series 12 to retain the slimmer case and larger display of recent models, while the Ultra 4 should stick with its familiar rugged design. Smaller changes such as new colors, finishes, slightly slimmer bezels, or display tweaks remain possible.

One potentially more noticeable change could be the return of ceramic. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that Apple has tested white and dark gray ceramic Apple Watch models, which could bring back a premium material Apple last offered with the Apple Watch Edition in 2019.

Will the Apple Watch get a new display?

David Price / Foundry

A more substantial display upgrade is possible eventually, but it doesn’t look certain for 2026.

Apple has used OLED displays since the original Apple Watch, with recent Series models reaching up to 2,000 nits of brightness and the Ultra 3 reaching 3,000 nits. For several years there have been reports that Apple wants to move to microLED, which could offer better color accuracy, greater efficiency, and significantly higher brightness.

At CES 2025, Samsung demonstrated a microLED smartwatch display capable of 4,000 nits, showing the potential of the technology. However, while microLED remains a plausible future Apple Watch upgrade, there is currently little evidence that it will arrive with the Series 12 or Ultra 4 in 2026.

Will the Apple Watch Series 12 have longer battery life?

Petter Ahrnstedt

There are signs that battery life could be a bigger focus for the Apple Watch Series 12, although any improvement has yet to be confirmed.

According to Weibo leaker Instant Digital, Apple is prioritising battery capacity and health sensors, and is reportedly trying to fit a physically larger battery inside the Series 12 rather than relying solely on efficiency gains from the new processor.

That could help Apple extend battery life beyond the 24 hours of normal use offered by the Apple Watch Series 11. Even a modest increase would be useful for sleep tracking and other always-on health features, which leave less time for charging.

So while a dramatic leap in battery life isn’t guaranteed, the Series 12 could combine a larger battery with efficiency improvements from its new chip to deliver longer real-world runtime.

Will the Apple Watch Ultra get a better battery?

The rumor about a larger battery currently applies specifically to the Series 12, rather than the Ultra 4. The Ultra already offers substantially longer battery life, with Apple rating the Ultra 3 for up to 42 hours of normal use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.

What connectivity changes are coming with the 2026 Apple Watches?

Major connectivity changes are not currently expected for the 2026 Apple Watch lineup.

5G is already supported on current cellular Apple Watch models and there are also no strong reports pointing to a major new cellular modem upgrade this year.

However, Satellite connectivity is more significant, but it is primarily an Apple Watch Ultra feature. The current Ultra 3 already supports Emergency SOS, Find My, and Messages via satellite, and the Ultra 4 is expected to retain those capabilities.

watchOS 27 is also expected to expand what Apple Watch can do over satellite, with features including Apple Maps via satellite and the ability to send and receive photos in Messages via satellite. Those software features should be available on the Ultra 4 where supported.

There is currently no evidence that the Apple Watch Series 12 will gain direct satellite connectivity, so this is likely to remain one of the key differences between the standard Series model and the Ultra.

Will Apple Watch Series 12 get Touch ID?

Foundry

Probably not in 2026.

Macworld uncovered developer code referring to the 2026 Apple Watch models alongside “AppleMesa,” Apple’s internal codename for Touch ID. No previous Apple Watch models had included similar references, suggesting Apple has at least tested fingerprint authentication for the Watch.

At the time, that raised the possibility that Touch ID could debut with the Series 12, potentially built into a side button or beneath the display. It would be useful for Apple Pay, private apps and messages, and unlocking the Watch independently of an iPhone.

However, more recent reporting has made a 2026 launch look much less likely. One leaker has claimed Apple is not bringing Touch ID to the Apple Watch, while other reports suggest Apple is prioritising larger batteries and new health sensors over using valuable internal space for fingerprint hardware.

The earlier code may therefore relate to prototype hardware rather than a feature destined for this year’s models.

For now, Touch ID appears to be something Apple has explored for the Watch, but it is unlikely to debut with the Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4.

Apple Watch already uses passcode and wrist-detection security, and it can also act as an authenticator for other Apple devices, including automatically unlocking a Mac.

What health features are coming to the 2026 Apple Watches?

Health and fitness tracking is expected to remain a major focus for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. The most credible new feature is continuous heart-rate monitoring throughout the day, while Apple may also make further improvements to its existing health sensors and hypertension features.

More ambitious additions, including non-invasive blood-glucose monitoring and AI-powered health coaching, remain in development but are much less likely to arrive this year.

Continuous heart-rate monitoring

One of the most significant rumored upgrades for the Series 12 and Ultra 4 is continuous heart-rate data collection.

According to a report in August from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has tested technology that would allow the Apple Watch heart-rate sensor to “continuously collect data throughout the day.”

Currently, Apple Watch takes periodic background heart-rate readings when you aren’t using the Workout, Mindfulness, or Heart Rate apps. Continuous monitoring could provide a much richer dataset, potentially improving health trends, alerts, and other analysis.

Will Apple Watch Series 12 monitor blood glucose?

Apple has been working on non-invasive blood-glucose monitoring for many years, but it remains unlikely to arrive with the Series 12.

Reports of Apple’s work on the technology date back to at least 2017, when we reported that the company had assembled a team of biomedical engineers to investigate continuous glucose monitoring.

Bloomberg subsequently reported that Apple had developed a system based on optical absorption spectroscopy and had reached the proof-of-concept stage. However, more recent reporting suggests a commercial Apple Watch implementation may still be several years away, potentially around 2030.

So while blood-glucose monitoring remains one of Apple Watch’s most anticipated future features, Series 12 is probably too soon.

What about AI health coaching?

Apple

Apple has also been developing an AI-powered health and fitness coaching system, previously reported under the name Health+.

The project has reportedly been scaled back from a single ambitious service into individual features that can be released progressively. That means some AI-powered health insights or coaching features could appear sooner, but there is currently little evidence that a complete Health+ service will debut with the Series 12.

For 2026, continuous heart-rate monitoring looks considerably more plausible than either blood-glucose monitoring or a full AI health coach.

What health features does Apple Watch already have?

The Series 11 and Ultra 3 already offer an extensive set of health features, including:

• Blood Oxygen monitoring
• ECG
• Heart-rate and heart-rhythm notifications
• Hypertension notifications
• Wrist-temperature sensing
• Cycle Tracking and ovulation estimates
• Sleep stages and Sleep Score
• Sleep apnea notifications

The Apple Watch SE 3 has a more limited health feature set and lacks Blood Oxygen monitoring, ECG, temperature sensing, and hypertension notifications.

What new apps are coming to Apple Watch?

watchOS 27 will bring several new apps and app experiences to the Apple Watch, although Apple appears to be focusing as much on upgrading existing software as adding entirely new apps and some older Apple Watches will not be able to run watchOS 27.

Siri AI comes to Apple Watch

The biggest software addition is Siri AI. Apple Watch users will be able to start Siri AI conversations from their wrist, access previous conversations across Apple devices, and use newer capabilities such as personal context and web answers.

Much of the processing will still depend on a nearby compatible iPhone, but the change should make Apple Watch a much more useful entry point for Apple’s AI features.

watchOS 27 with Siri AI requires an Apple Watch Series 9 or later, Ultra 2 or later, or SE 3, alongside a compatible iPhone.

Find My gets a major overhaul

Apple is also introducing a unified Find My app, replacing the separate Find People, Find Devices and Find Items apps with a single map-based interface.

That should make it much easier to locate people, Apple devices and AirTags directly from the Watch without jumping between multiple apps.

A new Readiness app could be coming

Late-breaking code discovered in September reportedly points to a separate Readiness app for Apple Watch.

The app is thought to focus on recovery and preparedness, potentially using health and fitness data to indicate how ready you are for exercise or other activity. However, this has not yet been officially announced, so it should still be treated as a rumor.

Existing apps are getting smarter too

Apple is also improving several existing Watch apps and features rather than simply adding new ones.

Workout Buddy is becoming more capable, with smarter fitness insights, Spanish-language support and the ability to work without a direct iPhone connection. Wallet gains the ability to display card balances, while the Smart Stack adds new interactions, including a tap gesture for selecting widgets.

watchOS 27 also introduces a more dynamic app grid that surfaces five contextually relevant apps, while Apple continues to make its Watch apps look and behave more like their iPhone equivalents.

Overall, the most important software additions for 2026 are Siri AI, the redesigned Find My app and the possible new Readiness app, with broader improvements across Workout, Wallet and the Smart Stack.

watchOS 27 also expands women’s health features with pre-menopause tracking.

How much could the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 cost?

Apple has not announced pricing for the 2026 Apple Watch lineup but we can make some estimations especially in the light of Apple’s dramatic price rises for iPads and Macs in June 2026.

The current Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 starts at $799. Apple left Watch pricing unchanged when it raised prices across much of its Mac, iPad and home-device lineup in June 2026, which suggests the new models could still avoid a major increase.

However, Apple warned at the time that further price rises could follow, and some analysts expect higher component costs to result in a modest increase for the next Apple Watch generation.

Apple Watch Series 12 price prediction

We think the Series 12 could start at around $429, up from $399 for the Series 11, although this is a prediction rather than a firm rumor. A smaller increase — or no increase at all — remains possible.

The cellular version currently starts at $499 and would likely rise by a similar amount if Apple increases prices across the range.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 price prediction

There are fewer specific pricing rumors surrounding the Ultra 4, so the safest assumption is that it will remain close to the Ultra 3’s $799 starting price.

Apple could apply a modest increase here too, but there is currently little evidence pointing to a substantial Ultra price rise.

What about the Apple Watch SE?

An Apple Watch SE 4 is not expected in 2026, so the SE 3 should remain Apple’s entry-level model at or near its current $249 starting price.

Does it matter if these are only incremental updates?

Not necessarily. The Apple Watch is now a mature product, so Apple’s focus has increasingly shifted from major redesigns to smaller improvements in performance, battery life, connectivity, durability, and health features.

As we argued in July 2026, the Apple Watch doesn’t necessarily need another dramatic redesign or a flashy new feature. What matters more at this stage is a steady stream of quality-of-life improvements that make it more useful day to day.

That was also true of the previous generation. The Series 11 added 5G connectivity, better battery life and improved durability, while the Ultra 3 brought a slightly larger display and satellite connectivity. Neither was a radical reinvention, but both refined an already well-established design.

The Apple Watch’s overall look has changed relatively little since the Series 4 redesign in 2018, and that may be deliberate. For existing owners of a recent model, the Series 12 and Ultra 4 may not offer a compelling reason to upgrade. But for anyone coming from an older Apple Watch, several generations of incremental improvements can add up to a much more substantial upgrade.

Is Apple considering a circular Apple Watch design?

Yes — but that doesn’t mean one is likely to go on sale.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in August 2026 that Apple has explored several new wearable concepts, including circular displays similar to those used by the Google Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch. Apple is also reportedly considering other ideas, such as screenless fitness trackers, as it looks for ways to reinvent its wearable lineup.

However, these concepts appear to be experimental and are not expected to arrive soon.

A circular Apple Watch would also involve significant compromises. The current rectangular design makes efficient use of screen space for text, apps and complications, while a round display would reduce usable area at the same overall width. That could also leave less internal room for components such as the battery and health sensors.

For those reasons, a round Apple Watch is best viewed as something Apple has explored rather than a likely future product.

Will Apple ever redesign the Apple Watch?

Almost certainly, but a major redesign may still be some way off.

Apple is reportedly experimenting with different form factors as competition in wearables grows, and Gurman has said the company is “determined to reinvent the lineup.” But the more radical ideas currently under consideration — including circular displays and screenless wearables — are said to be longer-term projects.

For now, Apple appears more likely to continue refining the existing rectangular Apple Watch design before making a more fundamental change.