On the time of writing, Apple’s large iPhone occasion is simply across the nook — per week away, give or take, relying on once you’re studying this. And whereas a lot of the hype is centered on the iPhone 17 and the brand new Liquid Glass UI coming with iOS 26, the Apple Watch will even be a supporting participant in the course of the large present.
Actually, we’re anticipating to see three new smartwatches make their debut on the Apple occasion on Sept. 9 — the Apple Watch Sequence 11, the Apple Watch SE, and the Apple Watch Extremely 3.
To not sound like a damaged report, however as with the iPhone 17 (and the Sequence 11), we’re anticipating incremental upgrades, not a drastic redesign. That’s to not say we can’t see something new, however mood your expectations for the $800 smartwatch. Right here’s every little thing we all know up to now, and every little thing we predict we all know.
3 options we hope Apple brings to the iPhone 17
Apple Watch Extremely 3: Value
Let’s begin with the excellent news: As hinted above, the Extremely 3 is predicted to stay to final yr’s $799 beginning worth. That is nonetheless a steep buy-in, even for Apple’s top-tier wearable, however within the tariffs period, a whole lot of merchandise are getting costlier.
Just like the Sequence 11 and iPhone 17, we predict the Extremely 3 can be introduced on Sept. 9, with preorders doubtless kicking off round Sept. 12. Early adopters can have it on their wrists as early as Sept. 19.
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Apple Watch Extremely 3: Design and Show
In accordance with MacRumors, the Extremely 3 is predicted to sport a bigger show — roughly 10 % larger than the Extremely 2. Measuring in at 2.12 inches, the brand new display may additionally mark a shift away from OLED, with Apple reportedly testing extra energy-efficient choices like microLED or wide-angle LTPO panels.
There are additionally rumblings of an onboard digicam, a function that popped up in our Sequence 11 rumor roundup as properly. If it makes the lower this yr, the digicam would sit on the aspect of the case close to the digital crown. Don’t count on it to exchange your iPhone, although. As Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman notes, the function would doubtless serve extra for AI-driven visible evaluation than snapping Instagram-ready images.
Apple Watch Extremely 3: {Hardware}
A brand new Extremely additionally means a brand new chip. After two years, the Extremely 3 will lastly get an improve with Apple’s newest S11 processor. The Extremely 2 ran on the S9, whereas the Sequence 10 jumped to an S10, however this yr Apple is aligning the lineup — the Sequence 11, Extremely 3, and the rumored SE 3 are all rumored to ship with the up to date S11.
That mentioned, don’t get your hopes up too excessive. Whereas it’s technically a brand new processor, MacRumors experiences that leaks recommend the S11 shares a lot of the identical inside structure because the S9 and S10. It’s nonetheless a stable chip for a smartwatch, however by way of real-world efficiency, the beneficial properties are anticipated to be modest at greatest.
The Extremely 3 can be anticipated to function a bigger charging coil, which ought to assist prolong battery life. Mixed with the brand new energy-efficient show, CNET experiences that the watch may last as long as 72 hours in low energy mode — a significant enhance for adventurers and endurance customers.
Apple Watch Extremely 3: New watchOS 26 options
One of many standout upgrades, based on Mark Gurman, can be satellite tv for pc messaging. The Extremely 3 is tipped to be the primary Apple wearable able to dispatching emergency texts through the Globalstar satellite tv for pc community. Which means even for those who’re fully off the grid with out cell service, you could possibly nonetheless get a lifeline out. (Garmin lately introduced its personal flagship smartwatch with satellite tv for pc connectivity, set to be launched Sept. 8, the day earlier than the Apple occasion.)
There are additionally rumors of built-in blood strain monitoring, a function that might present early warnings for customers prone to hypertension. Past that, count on the Extremely 3 to hold over a lot of what the Extremely 2 already supplied — with the notable addition of 5G connectivity baked immediately into the watch.
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