Apple is laying the groundwork for a major overhaul of its smartwatch lineup, though a complete redesign remains a year or two away, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The company is not expected to introduce significant aesthetic or structural changes with the upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models. Instead, those iterations will maintain familiar form factors while Apple continues to evaluate several long-term hardware strategies for its wearable ecosystem.
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To remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market influenced by screen-free health trackers like Whoop, Apple is actively exploring non-traditional form factors. Gurman reports that the company is considering devices completely devoid of displays, alongside experimental screen technologies, varying display sizes, and alternative physical dimensions. Furthermore, Apple may restructure its lineup by expanding both ends of its hardware spectrum, introducing ultra-premium models positioned above the existing Ultra and Hermès lines while developing an entry-level option priced below the current Apple Watch SE.
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While a full hardware revamp remains in development, intermediate upgrades are planned for 2026 and 2027. Apple intends to bring back the premium ceramic casing option, supplementing it with updated band styles, fresh colour palettes, and enhanced health and fitness tracking metrics. Regardless of the final physical design, next-generation Apple wearables will be engineered around deeper system-level integration with the company’s overhauled, AI-powered Siri assistant.
