Historically, the Apple Watch has followed a yearly update cycle similar to the iPhone, with each generation often featuring limited upgrades, and in some cases, even reductions in features.
For example, the current Series 10, while thinner, has a wider black bezel compared to the Series 9, and the Chinese version has removed fast charging due to WPT standards. At the chip level, the main difference between the S9 and S10 is merely the name; the underlying identifier is the same “T8310“, indicating that the core architecture has not truly changed, and it is merely an incremental update.
According to current leaks, the upcoming Series 11 will not undergo significant changes in appearance, and the chip will continue to use the T8310 architecture, with no noticeable performance improvements. However, this generation of Ultra 3 may bring slightly larger screens, satellite connectivity, 5G, and other substantial upgrades.
If you are waiting for the next significant upgrade of the Apple Watch, it is likely to be in 2026. According to internal Apple codes confirmed by Macworld and MacRumors, next year’s Apple Watch is brewing a comprehensive overhaul from the inside out.
Among the most notable changes is the addition of Touch ID. Leaked code mentions the codename “AppleMesa“, a term Apple has long used internally to refer to Touch ID. The prototype being tested by Apple may have already integrated fingerprint recognition functionality, which may be implemented in the form of under-display fingerprint or side button.
Although the specific implementation method has not been confirmed, the introduction of Touch ID undoubtedly brings more possibilities for interaction with the Apple Watch.
Of course, this is still in the prototype testing phase, and Apple may adjust plans at any time. However, this discovery makes the possibility of Touch ID landing on the Apple Watch unprecedentedly high.
In addition to Touch ID, the 2026 Apple Watch will also see a long-awaited core upgrade:
Leaked code reveals a new architecture chip codenamed “T8320“, indicating that the S series chip in 2026 will be a true generational leap, expected to achieve significant improvements in performance and energy efficiency.
Moreover, the internal codename for next year’s Apple Watch is also different. From Series 9 to Series 11, Apple has consistently used “Watch7” as the identifier. However, the new series in 2026 has been assigned the brand new codename “Watch8“. In Apple’s product system, such a change in the basic identifier usually accompanies significant hardware redesigns.
The major upgrade of the Apple Watch in 2026 also aligns with recent reports from DigiTimes, which highlight three key points:the number of sensor components will double; the design will change; battery life will be enhanced.
Additionally, the upcoming Apple Watch S11, next year’s S12, and Ultra 4 have also had their device codenames confirmed:
- • N227: Apple Watch Series 11
- • N228: Apple Watch Series 11 (Cellular)
- • N230: Apple Watch Ultra 3
- • N237: Apple Watch Series 12
- • N238: Apple Watch Series 12 (Cellular)
- • N240: Apple Watch Ultra 4
In summary, the testing of Touch ID on Apple prototypes, the addition of a new chip, the “Watch8” codename, and the expected accompanying redesign, along with enhancements in sensors and battery life, make the 2026 Apple Watch one of the most anticipated upgrades in recent years. Coupled with the long-rumored blood pressure monitoring feature and magnetic strap system, if everything comes to fruition, 2026 could very well be the year of a significant leap for the Apple Watch.
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