There are about four months left until the announcement of Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, and not much is known about them yet. The main discussed changes are Touch ID in the side button and a new chip after a year of stagnation. Let’s break down what’s confirmed and what remains a rumor, and whether it’s worth holding off on a purchase right now.
Are you waiting for new watches from Apple?
When Will Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Be Released
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected in September — this is the standard window for new Apple watches. There will be no new Apple Watch SE this year: the model was updated last year, and its cycle is two to three years between generations. So if you were considering the SE, there’s no point waiting for an update — get the current generation or look at the Series.
The design of both watch models will remain the same
Apple will show watchOS 27 at WWDC 2026 — the conference starts June 8. Right after the presentation, a developer beta will be released, a public beta usually appears in July, and the final version comes in September along with the new watches.
Will There Be Touch ID in Apple Watch
The most interesting leak is possible Touch ID. According to Apple’s internal code that leaked last year, Touch ID may appear in Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. The scanner will most likely be built into the side button to unlock the watch with a fingerprint instead of a passcode.
Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27: What to Expect Later This Year
It sounds convenient: entering a passcode on the tiny screen is one of the most annoying actions in everyday watch use. But there’s an important caveat. Even despite Touch ID mentions in the code, there’s no guarantee that Apple will implement this feature this year or at all. Neither Mark Gurman from Bloomberg nor analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have mentioned Touch ID in the new Apple Watch this year. These are the two most reliable sources on Apple’s plans, and their silence is a reason not to build expectations around this feature.
What Processor Will the New Apple Watch Get
Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 received the same S10 chip as the previous generation models. This was a pause, and for users it meant minimal performance gains. Leaked Apple code indicates that Series 12 and Ultra 4 will get a new chip.
Apple hasn’t changed the watch chip for 2 years in a row, it’s time for an upgrade
It’s still unclear whether it will be S11 or S12, but a performance boost is expected either way. In practice, this means a smoother interface, faster-responding apps, and possibly new Apple Intelligence features that require a more powerful processor. If you’re on Series 8 or 9, the new chip is the main reason to consider upgrading.
New Watch Faces in watchOS 27
watchOS 27, according to rumors, will get new watch faces, including a variant of the Modular Ultra watch face, which is currently available only on Apple Watch Ultra. For regular Series owners, this is a nice bonus: Modular Ultra is great for its dense data layout — heart rate, activity, weather, and calendar all on one screen.
The new watch face will be a simplified version of the modular one from Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Intelligence on Apple Watch — What Features Will Appear
Currently on watchOS 26, Apple Intelligence features only work if the watch is paired with iPhone 15 Pro or newer. Available features include:
- Workout Buddy — voice assistant during workouts
- Live Translation in Messages — conversation translation
- Notification summaries
Let’s hope that in watchOS 27 Apple Intelligence won’t depend on iPhone
When announcing WWDC 2026 dates, Apple promised to show “breakthroughs in AI” across all its platforms. It’s logical to expect that watchOS 27 will receive additional Apple Intelligence features, but they will only work when paired with a compatible iPhone. Owners of iPhone 14 and older still won’t have access to these capabilities — this is an important point if you’re counting on AI on your wrist.
How Satellite Connectivity Will Work on Apple Watch
Apple Watch Ultra 3 has built-in satellite connectivity — it allows you to call emergency services, use Find My, and send messages via satellite without an iPhone. This is an important feature for those who hike in mountains, forests, or simply find themselves outside cellular network coverage. iOS 27 is expected to bring up to five new satellite features, and two of them will likely appear in watchOS 27 as well:
- Apple Maps via satellite
- Photo support in Messages via satellite
There’s also an infrastructure story. Last month, Amazon announced plans to acquire Globalstar — the satellite operator that provides Apple’s satellite features on iPhone 14 and newer and on Apple Watch Ultra 3. Amazon has signed an agreement with Apple to continue providing satellite services.
