Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27 Rumors: New Chip, Better Sensors, Same Design

With WWDC 2026 just two weeks away on June 8, rumors about the Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27 have solidified. Here's what to expect from Apple's next smartwatch generation.

Hardware: Evolution, Not Revolution

• New S-series chip: A faster processor with improved power efficiency, though it's unclear whether Apple will brand it S11 or S12.
• Eight-sensor health array: A new ring-pattern sensor layout on the back could enable improved heart rate accuracy and potentially new health metrics.
• Same design: Case sizes, materials, and general aesthetics carry over from the Series 11.
• Touch ID: Internal code references suggest Apple explored Touch ID in the Digital Crown, but multiple sources say it's unlikely for this generation.

watchOS 27

Apple will preview watchOS 27 at WWDC on June 8. Expected features include new watch faces (including a Modular Ultra variant for non-Ultra models), deeper Siri integration via Apple Intelligence, and improved workout tracking.

Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Ultra 4 is expected alongside the Series 12 in September, with the same new chip and sensor array plus the Ultra-specific rugged features. No major design changes are anticipated.

What This Means for Buyers

If you need a smartwatch now, the Apple Watch Series 11 at $259 on Amazon is an excellent deal. But if you can wait until September, the Series 12's new sensors could be worth the patience — especially if blood pressure monitoring materializes. Compare all options in our smartwatch guide.