Apple’s big September event is just around the corner, and while most of the attention is on the iPhone 17, Cupertino’s other headline product, the Apple Watch, has been getting less buzz.
Last year’s Apple Watch Series 10 was a modest upgrade that left many underwhelmed, though its lightning-fast charging helped make up for it. Based on leaks and reports from the supply chain, the upcoming Series 11 looks like it will follow the same pattern: another small, iterative update rather than a dramatic redesign.
That doesn’t mean the Series 11 won’t be worth picking up. The Apple Watch remains one of the standard-bearers for wearable tech. But if you are holding out for something transformative, you may need to wait until the Series 12 in 2026, which is already rumored to bring bigger changes. For now, here’s everything we know about the Apple Watch Series 11 ahead of Apple’s September iPhone showcase.
Apple Watch Series 11: Price
So what’s the damage for a relatively small upgrade? Based on pricing from previous years, most outlets expect the Apple Watch Series 11 to start at $399 for the 42mm aluminum model and $429 for the larger 46mm version. As always, upgrades like stainless steel, sapphire glass, or LTE connectivity will push the price higher.
For now, tariffs aren’t expected to influence the price of either the Watch or the iPhone lineup, though it’s hard to rule that out entirely. Still, if Apple sticks to its usual playbook, the Series 11 will slide into the same price tiers as its predecessor, keeping it squarely in premium smartwatch territory.
Apple Watch Series 11: Release
Just like its pricing, Apple tends to follow a very predictable formula when it comes to product launches. The company almost never strays from it, and insiders expect this year’s Apple Watch Series 11 unveiling to land on Tuesday, Sept. 9. If that timeline holds, pre-orders would likely go live that Friday, Sept. 12, with devices hitting shelves the following Friday, Sept. 19.
Of course, nothing is official until Apple confirms it, but based on years of precedent, this release cadence is the safest bet. Consider it the most likely outcome for Apple’s big September event.
Apple Watch Series 11: Design and Display
Apple has a new partnership with Corning, meaning the glass on the Series 11 is officially American-made — a detail that’ll no doubt get some extra play in marketing. Beyond that, the design itself is expected to stick with the slim, flat-edged look introduced on the Series 10. The real intrigue comes from rumors that Apple may switch the Series 11 to a more energy-efficient LTPO or micro-LED display, which would mark a shift away from OLED. That could mean a brighter screen with better battery life.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has also floated the idea of an AI-powered onboard camera, though even he suggests it’s unlikely to appear until a future model — possibly the Series 12. Right now, no Apple Watch supports FaceTime video calls, so if and when that feature arrives, it’ll be a marquee selling point. If Apple did surprise us with it this year, the camera would almost certainly be tucked discreetly into the watch’s body. For now, though, all signs point to the Series 11 being a modest step forward, with the big swing still waiting in the wings.
Apple Watch Series 11: Hardware
Under the hood, the Series 11 is expected to debut the aptly named S11 chip, though fans hoping for a major leap in performance may want to temper expectations. According to reporting from MacRumors, Apple accidentally leaked details that revealed the S11 will use the same T8310 architecture found in the S9 and S10 chips that powered the Series 9 and Series 10.
That means the Series 11 is unlikely to deliver dramatic processor gains, instead leaning on efficiency tweaks and software optimization to keep things running smoothly. Still, while the tech may not be cutting-edge by Apple’s standards, it remains more than powerful enough for a smartwatch.
Apple Watch Series 11: watchOS 26 features and AI
The Apple Watch Series 11 will ship with watchOS 26, which introduces a new “liquid glass” UI and a suite of fresh health and productivity tools. Chief among them is Workout Buddy, an AI-powered evolution of Apple’s Workout app that can give smarter feedback and adaptive coaching during exercise sessions. Apple is also still testing a context-aware Siri, which would allow the assistant to better understand what you’re doing in the moment, though it’s unclear when that will come to fruition.
On-device language translation is also slated to arrive with watchOS 26, letting travelers get instant translations without needing to tether to an iPhone.
Health features remain a big focus, with rumors that the blood oxygen sensor could return after being disabled in some regions due to regulatory issues. New additions include Sleep Score, which breaks down rest quality into a single metric, and hypertension detection, which could alert users to early signs of high blood pressure. 5G connectivity is also rumored, further untethering the Watch from the iPhone. And while Apple is still working on the holy grail of non-invasive blood glucose tracking, that tech reportedly won’t be ready in time for the Series 11 — it’s something to look out for in future models.
