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Apple Watch fans hoping for an immediate makeover may need to wait. New tip-offs suggest the long-rumored redesign won’t arrive until early 2028 — well after the iPhone’s 20th anniversary. Meanwhile, Apple’s latest watches focused more on sensors and incremental upgrades than a fresh look.
Why the redesign keeps getting postponed
Whispers about a thinner case, magnetic band connectors and other visual changes have been circulating for years. Mark Gurman first reported a major redesign plan back in 2023. DigiTimes later added fuel to the speculation, suggesting a significant hardware shift and new sensors for a 2026 model. But a prolific Weibo tipster called Instant Digital now claims the new appearance may not arrive until the year after the iPhone’s 20th anniversary — meaning early 2028.
What Apple actually shipped recently
Apple’s September 2025 launch brought the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — neither radically different in how they look. Instead of a cosmetic overhaul, Apple focused on internal upgrades:
- S11 chip for faster performance.
- 5G-capable modem supplied by MediaTek.
- New hypertension alert system and improved health sensors.
- Ultra 3 upgrades: a larger, brighter LTPO3 OLED panel and satellite-based SOS messaging support.
Health tracking, HSA eligibility and what it could mean
One of the more interesting angles is healthcare integration. Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani has suggested that Apple’s blood pressure monitoring could qualify the watch as HSA-eligible — meaning buyers might be able to use pre-tax Health Savings Account funds. That’s a practical benefit beyond headline features and could influence purchase decisions for users tracking chronic conditions.
Is non-invasive glucose monitoring coming?
Speculation about non-invasive blood glucose sensing keeps resurfacing. DigiTimes and other outlets have hinted at new sensor suites being tested, but there’s no public confirmation. If Apple is exploring such tech, it might explain conservative timing: Apple tends to wait until accuracy and regulatory paths are clear.
Biometric upgrades: subtle changes, big implications
Apple is reportedly working on biometric authentication for future watches, with 2026 mentioned as a likely timeframe. The rumored approach uses an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor — a solution that would add biometric security without changing the watch’s outward design significantly. In other words, you might get new features without a new silhouette.
What to expect next and why it matters
So where does that leave users and buyers? Expect Apple to keep refining sensors, health alerts and connectivity in the near term while postponing any dramatic visual overhaul until at least early 2028. If you want the latest health features today, Series 11 and Ultra 3 already delivered important upgrades. But if a refreshed design with magnetic bands and a slimmer profile matters more, patience might be required.
In short: look for meaningful internal upgrades over the next year or two — and plan for any major appearance changes to arrive later, possibly aligned with a post-iPhone 20 product cycle in 2028.
Source: wccftech
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