Major Apple Watch Redesign Rumored for 2026 With 8 Sensors, New Look [Report]

A new report from DigiTimes says Apple Watch shipments are running ahead of expectations for 2025 and details plans for a major redesign of the high-end model in 2026. That upgrade is rumored to bring twice as many sensors, a fresh exterior design, and better power efficiency.

Citing supply chain sources, the report notes that Apple's early component orders for the first half of 2025 are about 10 percent higher than initial forecasts, with the third-quarter peak season also looking strong. The 2026 refresh is said to focus on upgraded sensing hardware, doubling the sensors on the back of the watch from four to eight in a new ring pattern. That ring pattern isn't a complete surprise; it matches photos of an Apple Watch Series 10 prototype that surfaced in April showing a similar circular layout. Beyond the visual changes, the new arrangement is also expected to improve power efficiency.

Before that major redesign, however, Apple is still expected to launch its Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 this fall. Both models are tipped to feature smarter health tools powered by Apple Intelligence and the new watchOS 26. Blood pressure monitoring is anticipated to be a headline feature, though at first it will track trends and flag potential issues rather than deliver exact systolic and diastolic readings. According to supply chain sources, this feature is likely to depend on algorithmic predictions, which could explain why early versions may not provide precise values.


The report also revisits non-invasive blood glucose monitoring—a feature still years away due to technological, regulatory, and patent challenges. While the feature is not expected soon, Apple is reportedly keeping certain hardware elements in its designs that could enable it in the future.

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