Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: Every Rumor
The Apple Watch is due for its September refresh, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says not to expect much. A new S12 chip, Workout Buddy, possible Sleep Score, and battery improvements — here's everything rumored and what's not coming yet.
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Apple Watch Series 12: What's New
If you're hoping for a dramatic Apple Watch redesign this year, temper your expectations. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the Series 12 will be one of the more incremental updates in recent memory. No major design changes, no new sensors that have been confirmed, and no revolutionary features.
That said, there are still meaningful upgrades worth knowing about:
Apple Watch Series 12
A new S12 system-in-package chip — the first performance upgrade since the Series 10 debuted the S10 chip. New Workout Buddy feature for AI-guided exercise coaching. Possible Sleep Score functionality. A new watch face. Unspecified health and fitness improvements. Better battery life from the more efficient chip.
Apple Watch Ultra 4: What's New
The Ultra 4 will get the same S12 chip upgrade as the Series 12, plus potentially some Ultra-specific improvements:
Apple Watch Ultra 4
Same S12 chip upgrade. DigiTimes has reported new health sensors for the Ultra 4, though specifics are scarce. Better power efficiency. Rumors of a blood pressure monitoring feature have circulated, though this has been rumored for years without materializing. Some leakers have suggested a thinner design (up to 15% reduction), but Gurman indicated no major design changes.
The S12 Chip: First Performance Upgrade in Years
This is the most significant upgrade in the 2026 Apple Watch lineup. The Series 10, Series 11, and Ultra 3 all used the S10 chip — meaning Apple Watch performance has been stagnant for two generations. The Series 12 and Ultra 4 are expected to debut the S12 chip, which should bring:
- Faster app launch times
- Improved Siri response speed (especially with Siri AI coming to watchOS 27)
- Better on-device AI processing for health metrics
- Improved power efficiency for longer battery life
- Smoother animations and navigation
The S12 chip is also expected to be Apple's first Watch SiP built on a newer process node, which would contribute to both performance gains and battery improvements.
Health Features: What's Coming
Gurman has mentioned "unspecified improvements to health and fitness tracking" but hasn't detailed specific new sensors. Here's what's been rumored vs. what's likely:
| Feature | Likelihood for 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep Score | Possible | Enhanced sleep analysis beyond current tracking |
| Blood Pressure | Possible (Ultra only) | Rumored for years; Ultra 4 might finally get it |
| Workout Buddy | Likely | AI-powered exercise coaching feature |
| Glucose Monitoring | Not before 2030 | Gurman confirmed this is still years away |
| New Watch Face | Likely | At least one new watch face expected |
Workout Buddy and Sleep Score
Two specific software features have been leaked for the Series 12:
Workout Buddy is expected to be an AI-powered coaching feature that provides real-time feedback during workouts. Think of it as a virtual personal trainer on your wrist — offering encouragement, pace suggestions, and form tips based on your workout data. This would leverage the new S12 chip's improved AI processing capabilities and integrate with Siri AI in watchOS 27.
Sleep Score would be an evolution of the current sleep tracking features, providing a composite score based on sleep duration, quality, consistency, and other metrics. This would bring Apple Watch closer to dedicated sleep trackers like Oura Ring and Whoop, which already offer sleep scoring.
Design: Expect More of the Same
Gurman was clear: no major design changes for either the Series 12 or Ultra 4. This means:
- Series 12: Same 42mm and 46mm sizes
- Ultra 4: Same 49mm titanium case
- No Touch ID (previously rumored, now unlikely)
- Same band compatibility (no new attachment system)
- Same overall aesthetic as the Series 11 and Ultra 3
A redesign is reportedly coming with the Apple Watch Series 13 in 2027, which is rumored to include a new band attachment system. So if you've been waiting for a fresh look, next year is your year.
Battery Life Improvements
Battery improvements are expected to come from the more efficient S12 chip rather than a physically larger battery. The LTPO OLED display technology in current Apple Watches is already very efficient, so the gains will likely be modest — perhaps 10-15% improvement in real-world usage.
For the Ultra 4, if the rumored thinner design materializes, the battery might actually be smaller — which would make the efficiency gains from the S12 chip even more important to maintain the current 36-hour normal / 72-hour Low Power Mode battery life.
Expected Pricing
Expected Pricing
Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS): Starting at $399 USD (~$549 CAD)
Apple Watch Series 12 (Cellular): Starting at $499 USD (~$679 CAD)
Apple Watch Ultra 4: $799 USD (~$1,099 CAD)
Pricing is expected to remain stable year-over-year, as the updates are incremental. No price increase has been rumored for the Apple Watch lineup, unlike the iPhone 18 Pro where a $100-200 hike is expected.
What's NOT Coming This Year
- No Apple Watch SE 4 — Gurman confirmed no SE refresh this year
- No Touch ID — Ruled out by Gurman's "no major design changes" comment
- No glucose monitoring — Confirmed for 2030 at the earliest
- No redesign — Major redesign pushed to Series 13 in 2027
- No microLED display — Previously rumored for Ultra, but microLED production has been delayed across Apple's supply chain
- No new band system — Current band compatibility continues; new system expected with Series 13
Should You Upgrade?
If you have a Series 10 or Series 11, the Series 12 is a skip. The S12 chip is nice, but unless Workout Buddy or Sleep Score are must-haves for you, the year-over-year improvements don't justify the cost.
If you have a Series 8 or older, the S12 chip alone makes a meaningful difference — it's the first performance upgrade in three generations. Combined with watchOS 27's Siri AI features, the Series 12 would feel noticeably faster.
For Ultra 2 or Ultra 3 owners, the Ultra 4 is also a skip unless blood pressure monitoring materializes and matters to you. The Ultra 3 is already excellent.
FAQ
Sources: MacRumors (July 26, 2026), 9to5Mac (July 15, 2026), Bloomberg/Gurman (July 2026), PhoneArena (Aug 2026), DigiTimes, CNET (Aug 2026). All information is based on analyst reports and supply chain leaks, not official Apple announcements.