Apple Watch Series 11 Preview Signals New Health Features

Rumors point to a faster chip, new 5G RedCap support, and health features ahead of the September launch.

Apple Watch Series 11 Preview Signals New Health Features

Apple is expected to unveil the Apple Watch Series 11 at its September event with a faster S11 chip and an updated modem. Early rumors suggest MediaTek will power a 5G RedCap option for wearables, which could improve connectivity without heavy power consumption. A blood pressure monitoring feature is under development, though it may not be ready for the launch and would likely focus on hypertension alerts rather than cuff-level accuracy. Blood oxygen monitoring remains unavailable in the United States. The lineup may also run watchOS 26, which reportedly includes a redesigned interface, a new Workout Buddy that uses iPhone compatibility and AI, and other interface tweaks such as a Liquid Glass redesign, updated Control Center, and new gestures. There are hints of a sleep score feature in iOS 26 code, potentially reserved for 2025 models. The 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch could be acknowledged in a subtle way at the event, though a major redesign of bands is not expected.

The move toward 5G RedCap could give the watch a more capable connection without draining battery life, a practical upgrade for a device that stays on the wrist all day. Apple faces the challenge of delivering health features that are both useful and reliable, while also guarding user privacy as AI tools like Workout Buddy become more prominent. If the sleep score and hypertension alerts prove reliable, Apple could turn the watch into a more proactive health companion. The risk is hype eclipsing proven value, which could invite scrutiny if features underperform or raise questions about data use and consent.

Highlights

Time will tell how these upgrades translate to daily value.