The 2026 Apple Watch redesign is shaping up to be one of the biggest updates in the product’s history. Reports suggest Apple is preparing changes that go beyond the usual yearly refinements, focusing on a thinner body, a reworked underside with a new sensor layout, and improved battery performance. This could mark the first truly major shift in Apple’s wearable design language since the introduction of the Ultra model, which set a new standard for durability and functionality.
What makes this update stand out is the attention to health technology. Apple is expected to double the number of sensors in the watch, arranged in a new circular or ring-shaped configuration. This would not only improve accuracy for existing metrics, such as heart rate and blood oxygen, but also pave the way for more advanced features, such as glucose monitoring. A thinner chassis, paired with a redesigned sensor array, suggests that Apple is working on balancing precision health data with comfort and wearability, making the watch lighter without compromising on features.
The redesign may also extend to the watch’s external look. A slimmer profile could be combined with subtle changes to the case design, possibly moving away from the squared edges of recent models toward a sleeker form that feels more modern on the wrist. At the same time, Apple may refresh its band system, with rumors pointing to a more seamless attachment mechanism that reduces bulk and makes the transition between case and strap more fluid. While Apple typically prioritizes backward compatibility, a new attachment system could allow for greater flexibility in future design updates, even if it requires phasing out older bands.
Efficiency gains are expected to play an equally important role. Battery life has long been a focus for users, and while the Apple Watch Ultra delivered extended endurance, the standard models still require daily charging for most people. With the 2026 redesign, Apple is expected to achieve longer battery life through efficiency improvements rather than by increasing battery size. This would mean a watch that is thinner, lighter, and yet capable of lasting longer, a combination that could appeal to a wide range of users.
Apple has been gradually building toward more ambitious health tracking features, and the 2026 models appear to continue that trajectory. The upcoming Series 11, expected in 2025, is rumored to add blood pressure trend alerts, giving users the ability to track changes over time even if the device does not yet provide medical-grade blood pressure readings. The following year’s redesign would expand this with more sensors, potentially laying the groundwork for other advanced health tools. Apple has consistently positioned the watch as a wellness companion, and the 2026 Apple Watch redesign could bring it closer to being viewed as an essential medical device.
The implications of this redesign extend beyond just the flagship model. Apple is also expected to apply elements of this new design philosophy to the Ultra and SE lines. The Apple Watch Ultra 3, which will likely arrive alongside the 2026 models, may benefit from the new sensor layout while retaining its rugged design and extended battery life, appealing to professional athletes and outdoor adventurers. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch SE could inherit a slimmed-down version of the new chassis, allowing Apple to unify its design language across the entire lineup while keeping the entry-level option accessible in price.
(via DigiTimes)
