Everything points to the Apple Watch Series 12 will be a continuation of the previous generationWith few surprises in the hardware arena and without the dramatic leap many users have been waiting for, the latest leaks and reports from specialized analysts agree that 2026 could become a transition year for Apple's smartwatch.
Instead of a revolution, the next model would focus on Internal adjustments, new watch faces in watchOS, and performance improvementsleaving the more ambitious changes in health and design for later. For those expecting groundbreaking features or a complete redesign of the case, everything indicates that the Series 12 will arrive with a more understated profile.
A conservative update in design and features
Sources closely following the company's roadmap indicate that the Apple Watch Series 12 would maintain the current aestheticwith the same rectangular shape that has been used since the Series 4. There would be no round screen or changes in form factor, even though these rumors have been circulating among the user community for years.
According to these leaks, Apple's strategy would involve refine the product instead of remaking it from scratchIn other words, we would have small internal improvements, battery optimizations, a slightly more efficient screen, and the new S12 chip, but without a visual redesign that would make it easily recognizable compared to the previous generation.
In the software section, the company would opt for New watch faces in watchOS and adjustments in watchOS focused on customization and in integration with the rest of the ecosystem, rather than in launching major new features. It would be a cycle designed to consolidate what already exists, not to open new categories.
This approach fits with the idea that 2026 would be a transition year for the Apple Watchsaving the most significant innovations for future generations. This wouldn't be a new move for the company, which has already applied similar strategies in other product lines when it deemed the market mature.
Hardware limitations and a discreet role for artificial intelligence
One of the keys that would explain this restraint is the The clock's internal hardware, and in particular its memoryVarious analysts point out that the available capacity remains relatively limited for locally running advanced artificial intelligence functions directly on the wrist.
These limitations would make deployment more complex. heavier and more persistent AI algorithms on the device itselfThis is something that's starting to appear in other products in Apple's catalog. In the case of the watch, that extra power isn't yet ready to make a leap comparable to that of iPhones or Macs.
Nevertheless, it is not ruled out that the Apple Watch may leverage results generated by artificial intelligence from other devices in the ecosystem, such as the iPhone or the Mac itself, acting more as a client of intelligent services than as the processing center.
At the moment, there are no solid signs that watchOS 27 is set to introduce truly game-changing AI capabilities exclusively associated with the Series 12. Everything points to artificial intelligence continuing to be present in a more subtle way, in improvements to recommendations, notifications and data analysis, but without a major headline specifically for this generation.
The big absentee: glucose measurement still has no date set in the near future
One of the points that can generate the most disappointment among users is the Confirmation that blood glucose measurement will not be available with the Apple Watch Series 12The latest reports rule out this feature until at least 2027, dashing expectations that had been building since 2021.
The company has been working on a non-invasive optical sensor capable of estimating glucose levels Without the need for finger pricks, this technology would be especially relevant for the millions of people with diabetes or prediabetes worldwide. However, accuracy remains the major obstacle.
Under real-world usage conditions —with temperature changes, constant movement, sweating, or differences in skin toneThe margins of error for these sensors would still fall far short of the requirements of regulatory bodies like the FDA. They work in the lab, but problems arise when they're used in real-world situations.
The teams dedicated to this project would continue to move forward, but at a slower pace than the most optimistic rumors predictedThe latest estimates placed the earliest launch window around 2027, and further delays are possible if clinical standards are not met in time.
Blood pressure: gradual improvements, but no exact figures
Another area where Apple is taking things one step at a time is the blood pressureAfter introducing a previous generation warning system for possible hypertension Based on heart rate analysis, the next logical goal would be to offer a more direct measurement from the wrist.
For the Apple Watch Series 12, reports indicate that the company has been internally testing more advanced measurement functions of blood pressure, but the results still do not offer the required precision to give concrete figures that a doctor can use to diagnose.
In that context, the most realistic scenario for this generation would be a blood pressure trend systemIn other words, the watch could show whether your values ​​are moving up or down over time, without providing the exact numbers in millimeters of mercury typical of a traditional blood pressure monitor.
This approach would involve a an improvement over simple notifications of possible hypertensionIt provides a longer-term view of the evolution of pressure, but it would fall far short of replacing the conventional medical devices used today in clinics and homes.
Touch ID on the wrist and a new S12 chip are the main new features
Within a generally quite moderate picture, two elements stand out as the The most striking new features of the Apple Watch Series 12: the possible arrival of Touch ID on the watch and the evolution of the processor to a new S12 chip.
References found in the code of recent versions of watchOS point to an internal codename related to the wrist-mounted fingerprint sensorThis feature would allow you to unlock the watch directly with your fingerprint, without relying so much on the iPhone, and facilitating actions such as validating payments with Apple Pay from the watch screen itself.
The exact location of the sensor is still unclear, and they are handling Several possibilities: integrated under the panel, in the side button, or in the Digital CrownEach option involves different compromises in design, ergonomics, and cost, so it's not entirely clear how it would be implemented, if it finally arrives in time for this generation.
Along with this, the introduction of S12 chip, a new iteration of the processor in the rangeAlthough there wouldn't be radical changes, an improvement in energy efficiency and overall stability is expected, helping to squeeze a little more out of battery life as the operating system feels somewhat smoother on a daily basis.
In summary, the interior equipment of the Series 12 would focus on to refine performance and user experience rather than in inaugurating capabilities that completely change what can be done with the watch.
Planned launch and context in Spain and Europe
Leaks place the launch of Apple Watch Series 12 in SeptemberIn parallel with the new generation of iPhones, following the company's usual schedule, the presentation is expected to take place at a global event, pending official confirmation. This event will also affect availability in Spain and the rest of Europe.
As for the price, international estimates suggest a similar entry cost to that of the last generationsWith a reference price of around $399 in the US market, an upward adjustment is expected in Europe due to taxes, exchange rates, and local policies—something buyers are already accustomed to.
If the pattern of previous years is followed, the Apple Watch Series 12 should to land in Spain and several other countries in the European Union in the first wave, or at the latest in a second round a few days later. Apple usually prioritizes key European markets, where the watch maintains a significant market share among wearable devices.
With all this in mind, the next Apple Watch is shaping up to be a continuous iteration with specific changesWithout the expected glucose measurement, with limited advances in blood pressure, a moderate role of artificial intelligence and, as possible headlines, the arrival of Touch ID on the wrist and a more efficient S12 chip, in a generation that seems more designed to consolidate than to surprise.
