According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is working in parallel to develop a new generation of its watches with a different design and greater changes, which may appear in 2027 or be delayed to 2028, as part of a trend to redesign the watch in a more comprehensive way.
Ceramic returns to the Apple Watch
One of the most prominent changes expected in the Apple Watch Series 12 is the return to the use of ceramic in the watch body, after its previous appearance in some distinctive versions.
The ceramic models carry the internal code name “Iceman,” while Apple tested at least two color designs, one in white and the other in dark gray.
This material may give the watch a more luxurious appearance, in addition to its softness and good resistance to scratches compared to some traditional metals. However, testing certain colors and designs does not necessarily mean putting them all on the market, as the company may change its plans before commercial production begins.
It is also expected to provide a variety of belt colors and designs, to suit the different materials and colors of the new structures.
Bigger changes in the coming years
Bloomberg suggested that updates to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 will be limited to limited aspects of design and functionality, while Apple is working on a separate project to further redesign the watch.
The company is currently studying a completely new design that may appear in one of the versions of the Apple Watch during 2027, or be delayed until 2028. Apple had previously tested a project called “Watch
More accurate health monitoring
Apple does not focus only on design, as it is working to enhance the capabilities of the watch in the field of health and fitness monitoring, by testing the possibility of measuring heart rate continuously throughout the day.
In current versions, the heart rate sensor does not operate at the maximum frequency all the time, but rather takes measurements at intervals, with its frequency increasing during intense physical activity, while becoming more continuous when recording exercises.
The system that Apple is testing adopts a method similar to the measurement used during exercises throughout the day, which allows for the collection of more intensive and continuous data on heart performance.
This would provide a more detailed picture of heart rate variability, help detect unusual trends or changes, as well as improve some indicators related to stress, recovery and physical activity.
But continuous measurement may lead to increased battery consumption, which forces Apple to achieve a balance between data density and battery life, whether by developing more efficient sensors or improving power management and algorithms used to process data.
The presence of this technology in the testing phase does not necessarily mean that it will be introduced in new watches, as the company may postpone its launch to a later generation if it does not achieve the required level of accuracy and efficiency.
More comprehensive health and fitness apps
Apple is also working on updating its Health and Fitness applications, with the aim of providing a broader set of health and wellness indicators, rather than displaying data separately.
According to Bloomberg, the new system may adopt a method similar to what is offered by platforms such as Whoop and Oura, which collect daily measurements and transform them into simplified indicators that help the user understand his physical condition.
Thus, it may not be limited to displaying the number of steps, heart rate or hours of sleep, but this data can be combined to produce more comprehensive indicators, such as the level of recovery, sleep quality, readiness to start the day, level of stress and physical load, and the balance between activity and rest, in addition to monitoring long-term health trends.
Apple is also working on developing technologies to monitor blood pressure and measure blood sugar without pricks, in addition to sensors that can track ECG, breathing, and sweating, as well as studying adding cameras to watches in the future, which could turn them into a smart assistant capable of analyzing the surrounding environment by taking advantage of Apple Intelligence technologies.
Combining continuous heart rate measurement with sleep, exercise, and daily activity data will enhance the Apple Watch’s capabilities in tracking body functions, and increase its ability to compete with devices specialized in monitoring health and fitness.
