Apple Watch set for glassy reinvention by year's end
Apple Watch and watchOS 12: A Leap into AI and Enhanced Health Features
In a series of recent reports, Bloomberg and other sources have shed light on Apple's plans to integrate AI-driven Apple Intelligence more deeply into the Apple Watch and watchOS, marking a significant step forward for the wearable device.
The Solarium Design and watchOS 12
The upcoming watchOS 12 software is expected to bring several notable changes to the Apple Watch. One of the key features is the integration of Apple's Workout Buddy, an AI-driven fitness assistant that provides real-time workout prompts and is set to expand upon its introduction with watchOS 26.
In addition, watchOS 12 is rumored to mark the beginning of more extensive AI integration via Apple Intelligence, although the more advanced Siri 2.0 revamp has been delayed and may not appear in full until 2026. This update is anticipated to introduce or expand AI-powered features on the watch, setting the foundation for potential future advancements such as visual search.
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3
The next-generation Apple Watch models, Series 11 and Ultra 3, are also set to launch with significant hardware improvements. The Series 11 will debut with watchOS 26 and a new S12 processor, enhancing efficiency and enabling smarter features like updated health monitoring, potentially including blood pressure alerts.
The Ultra 3, on the other hand, is expected to adopt the new S11 chip (or S10), supporting enhanced GPS, satellite connectivity, and advanced health tracking—all critical for outdoor users. This model is also likely to feature satellite messaging and emergency location sharing, significantly enhancing safety for users in remote areas without cellular coverage.
The Role of Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is designed to power sophisticated AI features across devices, enhancing user experience with personalized assistance rooted in learned behaviors and context, similar to ChatGPT-style large language models applied locally and securely. On the iPhone, Apple Intelligence includes visual search that uses the camera to identify objects and places, a capability Apple is considering for future Apple Watch models, though likely after 2027.
The AI improvements aim to be tightly integrated with privacy protections, delivering a compelling, intelligent Siri and smarter apps without compromising user data.
A Glimpse into the Future
While the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 are expected to bring significant hardware improvements, some AI advances (like a full Siri 2.0 experience) are delayed until 2026 or beyond. However, the foundation is being laid for a more intelligent, health-focused Apple Watch experience, with potential long-term advancements such as visual search on the horizon.
More details about Solarium and its impact on watchOS may be revealed at WWDC in June. In the meantime, the Apple Watch will provide a "smaller taste" of the big shifts underway at Apple, as the company continues to push the boundaries of wearable technology.
[1] Bloomberg: Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 to Focus on Health and Connectivity
[2] 9to5Mac: Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3: What to Expect
[3] TechCrunch: Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3: AI and Health Focus
[4] The Verge: Apple's AI Doctor and the Future of Health on the Apple Watch
[5] Engadget: Apple's Plans for the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3
- The upcoming watchOS 12 is rumored to mark the beginning of more extensive AI integration via Apple Intelligence, suggesting a shift in the tech landscape of smart-home-devices and gadgets, as reported by Gizmodo.
- In a move that underscores its focus on future technology, Apple Intelligence is designed to power sophisticated AI features, including visual search, across devices like the Apple Watch, as highlighted by The Verge.
- The Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, expected to launch with significant hardware improvements, are set to leverage AI and health technology advancements, significantly enhancing their capabilities in the tech realm, a topic widely discussed by TechCrunch, 9to5Mac, and Engadget.
