Apple Watch Series 11: New Features Unveiled Ahead of September Launch

Revolutionary watchOS 26 and Hardware Upgrades on the Horizon

With the September launch of the Apple Watch Series 11 drawing near, leaks reveal significant enhancements focusing on software and connectivity. While the exterior design is expected to remain largely unchanged, the upcoming watchOS 26 promises a substantial overhaul in user experience and functionality. The much-anticipated non-invasive blood glucose monitoring is reportedly still years away, but users can expect advanced features powered by Apple Intelligence.

Enhanced Connectivity and Processing Power

The Apple Watch Series 11 is poised to receive internal upgrades, including a new S11 chip designed to boost performance and battery efficiency. Connectivity is also set for a major leap, with rumors suggesting the integration of MediaTek modems supporting 5G RedCap, potentially enabling a shift from LTE to 5G. For the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 3, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg suggests the inclusion of satellite connectivity for text messaging.

watchOS 26: Gestures, Coaching, and Notes

The most impactful changes are expected with watchOS 26. A new “Wrist Flick” gesture will allow users to dismiss notifications with a simple flick of the wrist, a long-overdue intuitive addition. The “Workout Buddy” feature aims to act as a personalized exercise coach, offering tips and motivation powered by AI models trained on data from Apple Fitness Plus trainers. Additionally, a frequently requested Notes app will sync existing notes for viewing directly on the watch, though editing will still require the screen’s keyboard or voice dictation.

Integrated Sleep Score and Blood Pressure Monitoring

The Series 11 is also rumored to introduce a sleep score feature, algorithmically assessing sleep duration and quality. This feature, already common in competing smartwatches, will likely incorporate Apple’s rigorous approach to health metrics, potentially considering multiple factors similar to watchOS 11’s Vitals.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is reportedly leading the charge in blood pressure tracking. Unlike current offerings that provide specific readings, Apple’s approach is expected to act as an early warning system, alerting users to rising blood pressure trends, a feature that could be clinically validated like its sleep apnea detection. This innovation aligns with Apple’s focus on proactive health monitoring, a trend seen in 75% of wearable health features introduced in the last year, according to a recent industry report.

Introducing the ‘Liquid Glass’ Interface

A significant visual change coming to the Apple Watch Series 11 is the “liquid glass” interface, mirroring a feature introduced in iOS 26. This design element gives apps a translucent quality, allowing background elements to subtly show through, creating a glass-like effect. This visually distinct interface can currently be explored via the watchOS 26 beta.