Apple Watch Series 12 Enters Late-Stage Testing — Three Models Locked for September Launch

Bloomberg{"'"}s Mark Gurman has confirmed that Apple is in "late-stage testing" of three Apple Watch models, the clearest signal yet that all are locked for a September 2026 announcement.

What{"'"}s Coming

• Apple Watch Series 12 — Wi-Fi-only and cellular variants
• Apple Watch Ultra 4 — the premium outdoor model

Key Rumored Features

• Blood pressure trend monitoring — submitted to the FDA, but not a cuff-style reading. Uses heart rate sensor patterns to flag potential hypertension
• Touch ID — unconfirmed but rumored via Digital Crown or under-display sensor
• MicroLED display option — possibly Ultra 4 only
• Upgraded Apple Intelligence features on watchOS 27
• Satellite connectivity upgrades

Pricing Expectations

The Series 12 base GPS model is reportedly starting at $399, up from Series 11{"'"}s $299 launch price. The Ultra 4 could reach $899–$999. Like Google and Samsung, Apple is citing the global memory chip shortage as a factor in price increases across its product line.

What This Means for Buyers

If you{"'"}re eyeing the current Apple Watch Series 11 at $299 or the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the September announcement is roughly 4–6 weeks away. With Series 12 pricing reportedly jumping to $399, the Series 11 at its current price may actually be the better value — especially if blood pressure monitoring is all that{"'"}s new.

See our Apple Watch Series 12 rumor tracker, compare Apple Watch prices, or browse all smartwatches.