New Apple Watch models launch next month, here’s what’s coming

September brings Apple’s big iPhone launch event, where new Apple Watch models will be introduced too. Here’s what to expect from Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Apple Watch Series 12.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Apple Watch Series 12 coming with new chip, health features, more

If you’re interested in the new iPhone models being unveiled next month, there are a myriad of leaks that offer a great summary of what to expect from iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra.

But new Apple Watch models will launch alongside those iPhones, and reporting on what’s coming is a lot more scarce.

We’re expecting two new Watch models at the September event:

Apple Watch Ultra 4
Apple Watch Series 12

Mark Gurman reported recently at Bloomberg that both models will get “a long-awaited bump in chips and speed.”

Current Watch models feature an S10 chip, but overall performance hasn’t actually changed much since 2023’s S9. With watchOS 27 introducing Siri AI, a more powerful S11 chip could arrive at just the right time.

Digitimes claims Apple Watch Ultra 4 is getting a “major redesign,” but Gurman believes big design changes aren’t coming until at least next year. He does say, however, that Apple might bring back a ceramic case option for this year’s models.

That same Digitimes report says that Apple Watch Ultra 4 will pack “a significant upgrade to sensing functions,” with up to double the number of sensors in the Watch.

Some of those new sensors could relate to a rumored upgrade for hypertension notifications.

Apple launched hypertension notifications last year in watchOS 26. And the FDA is reportedly reviewing a new notification feature related to high blood pressure. It will likely be unveiled alongside Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12.

New Apple Watch models: wrap-up

Overall, there’s still plenty of room for Apple to surprise us with its new Watch models. New chips, smaller design updates, and health features are all likely, but we’ll have to wait until next month for more specifics.

What new features do you want from Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12? Let us know in the comments.

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