Apple's next Watch gets a redesign, but not until at least 2028

[Shannon91]

Apple is reportedly testing its September 2026 Apple Watch lineup, and despite ongoing anticipation for a meaningful redesign, the new models are expected to be minor updates, with more substantial design changes still years away. Bloomberg reports that neither the Apple Watch Series 12 nor the expected Apple Watch Ultra 4 will get any visible design changes, continuing what recent rumors have already suggested about the Series 12 lacking hardware improvements over its predecessor

Instead, this year's updates are said to concentrate on a significant performance boost through a new processor, with possible health and fitness tracking improvements that may arrive as software updates rather than new sensor hardware. The new lineup carries the codenames N237 and N238 for the Wi-Fi and cellular Series 12 models, with the Ultra 4 codenamed N240, and all three are reportedly now in late stage testing. Notably, there will not be a new Apple Watch SE released this cycle, and no timeline has been given for when an upgraded SE might arrive

The genuine redesign, when it eventually comes, is still described as at least a couple of years away. A separate recurring rumor has again claimed the 2026 models will feature a new band attachment system, something that has circulated for several years without materializing, making it possible but considered unlikely this time around too. Interestingly, an earlier May 2026 report had suggested the Ultra specifically could get a more significant update, with supply chain sources claiming the Ultra 4 might double its sensor count, a claim that sits in some tension with this newer report predicting no noticeable Ultra changes at all

Apple Watch redesign is coming, but not for yearsappleinsider.com

[WarpField69]

The conflicting reports on the Ultra 4 are interesting, one report says doubled sensors, another says no noticeable changes at all, guess we'll find out which supply chain source actually had it right come September

[Jonathan_Repetto]

A processor bump alone without any design change is a pretty modest generational update, though to be fair the Watch design has aged well enough that it doesn't desperately need a refresh every single year

[Kieron83]

The new band attachment system rumor recurring for years without ever materializing is becoming a running joke at this point, at some point you have to assume it's just not happening

[Sandra93]

No new SE this cycle is a bit of a letdown for anyone hoping for a budget refresh, that model line feels like it's been quietly neglected for a while now

[StuckOnDestiny]

At least a couple of years away for the real redesign means anyone waiting specifically for that should probably just buy whatever the current lineup offers now rather than holding out

[Aquaman]

The performance boost through a new processor is probably the most meaningful part of this update in practice even if it's the least exciting to read about in a headline

[BigDogShane10]

This tracks with Apple's usual cadence honestly, they rarely do major redesigns back to back with major internal changes, spacing them out like this isn't surprising

[LostReece55]

Software driven health and fitness improvements rather than new sensor hardware is a smart way to keep the existing lineup feeling fresh without a full hardware refresh cycle

[Boar]

The codename reveal is a fun detail for anyone who follows this closely, N237, N238 and N240 will no doubt get cross referenced against every leak between now and the actual announcement