Updated April 4
• The Apple Watch 11 and Ultra 3 may finally get blood pressure monitoring
• Apple's next-gen smartwatches could sport an onboard camera
• 5G connectivity and satellite texting is rumored for the Ultra 3 but could also come to the Series 11
• A more energy-efficient screen could mean better battery life for the Series 11
Few things are certain in this zany world. But there are some facts I’m sure of. For example, the sun will rise and set tomorrow, the taxman will eventually come a-knockin' and Apple will launch a new Apple Watch in the fall.
Last year marked the brand's tenth consecutive Apple Watch release with the debut of the Series 10 and all signs point to the annual release schedule continuing in 2025. The question is, what new features, tech and advancements will the Apple Watch 11 have to offer?
I’ve been monitoring all the Apple Watch 11 leaks and rumors since even before the Apple Watch 10 arrived in September 2024. Here is everything I know about the forthcoming Series 11, plus a handful of educated predictions.
Apple Watch 11 biggest rumored upgrades
Apple Watch Series 11 cheat sheet: Biggest rumors
- Release date prediction: September 2025
- Price prediction: $399 and up
- Design: A more energy-efficient, higher-resolution screen is possible; the basic design will likely be similar to the Series 10; a front-facing camera in the display is also possible
- Features: Blood pressure monitoring and blood-glucose tracking tools are rumored; Apple Intelligence features, including improved Siri, are possible
- Specs: Potential battery life improvements; a switch from 4G to 5G antenna is rumored; satellite texting is possible but may be reserved for the Ultra 3
- Software and chip: watchOS 12; S12 chip
Apple Watch Series 11: Price and release date predictions
The Apple Watch Series 11 will likely launch in September 2025 alongside the iPhone 17, assuming Apple sticks with its usual pattern of rolling out new devices in the fall ahead of the holiday shopping season. Rumors suggest that the Apple Watch SE 3 — also expected in 2025 along with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 —may see a price drop, but don't count on the same for the Series 11.
My hunch is the Apple Watch 11 will cost roughly the same as the Series 10, which starts at $399 for the smaller 42mm non-cellular model and $429 for the larger 46mm non-cellular device.
Apple Watch Series 11: Design predictions
We're still a long way away from the likely Apple Watch 11 launch but there are several juicy design-related rumors worth noting. The first is a potential upgrade to a more energy-efficient display technology, possibly LTPO or Micro-LED, although the latter now seems like a no-go.
The advantages of switching from OLED to a newer display technology are numerous and include not just better battery life but also the possibility for greater pixel density. That would result in better resolution along with increased brightness and saturation potential.
Beyond display improvements, I wouldn't count on any other significant physical changes to the design of the Apple Watch 11 compared to the Series 10. The latest generation ushered in sleeker and lighter cases with larger displays compared to the Series 9, and I fully expect the physical dimensions of the Series 11 to be a match with the Series 10.
That said, according to a report in Bloomberg by Mark Gurman, an onboard camera could be coming to future Apple Watch models. If one does appear in the Series 11, it will most likely be hidden within the display of the device. While on the Ultra Series, Gurman says that the camera will sit along the side of the case near the crown.
Presently, no Apple Watch model supports Facetime video calls. Could the addition of a camera change that? Probably not, says Gurman. Instead, the cameras will likely power Apple's Visual Intelligence features on the watches.
Apple Watch Series 11: Possible features and specs
Due to Apple's ongoing legal battle with rival Masimo, the latest Series 10 smartwatches launched in the U.S. with the SpO2 monitoring tech disabled. Will blood oxygen measurements make a comeback in the Apple Watch 11? Your guess is as good as mine.
Still, all signs point to the forthcoming crop of Apple Watches (finally) debuting a blood pressure monitoring feature. However, blood-glucose tracking still seems like a long way off.
If the rumor proves true, the latest-gen Apple Watch models could warn users if early signs of hypertension are detected. Like sleep apnea, hypertension often goes undiagnosed but is quite deadly, causing nearly 13% of all deaths worldwide, according to the WHO, making this potential new feature a very big deal.
We've yet to see any Apple Intelligence features truly make their way to the Apple Watch, though the Notification Summaries introduced in iOS 18.1 give us a taste of what could be. Here's hoping Apple Intelligence makes its true-blue debut in Cupertino's forthcoming wearables, particularly in the form of an improved Siri experience.
Unfortunately, Apple recently admitted that the rollout of Siri 2.0 is behind schedule for iOS, so, a smarter Siri on watchOS may be an even longer wait.
Other possible upgrades include a move from 4G LTE to 5G tech, which would likely result in slightly faster speeds for data plan folks. There's additionally a chance that the Series 11 will support satellite messaging, however, that feature may end up being reserved for the Ultra 3 only.
I also expect the new Series 11 to launch running Apple's next-gen watchOS 12 operating system paired with a zippier and more efficient S12 processor.
With watchOS 11, Apple introduced a new Training Load metric to help folks better understand how their workouts impact their overall training goals.
With that in mind, we may see Apple debut additional fitness metrics within watchOS 12 to match those of the competition. For example, Garmin, Google and Samsung all provide a daily energy score from one to 100 based on recent fitness efforts, sleep quality and other holistic trends. I'd love to see Apple provide something comparable.
If Apple sticks to past patterns, look for a watchOS 12 preview this coming summer when the company holds its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
Apple Watch Series 11: Outlook
I'm hopeful that the Apple Watch Series 11 is the first in the brand's longest-running smartwatch line to crack the 18-hour battery life mark.
It's still early in the Apple Watch 11 rumors cycle. So, as with anything speculative, take these predictions and rumors with a grain of salt. Aside from processor and software enhancements, nothing is certain.
That said, I'm hopeful that the Apple Watch Series 11 is the first in the brand's longest-running smartwatch line to crack the 18-hour battery life mark. Better power management by way of a more efficient display is likely the ticket to that achievement and it'd be great to see the Series 11 offer both a better screen and greater longevity.
I'm also cautiously optimistic that Apple Watch 11 will support at least some Apple Intelligence features like a new and improved Siri (but I won't hold my breath). The inclusion of ground-breaking new health-monitoring tools I'm less certain of. The same goes for SpO2 monitoring returning for U.S. customers. Stay tuned.
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