Apple will highlight artificial intelligence more than ever at its WWDC26 event. While the innovations coming to iPhones with iOS 27 are eagerly awaited, watchOS 27, the next major update for Apple Watches, will also offer remarkable new features.
What will the watchOS 27 update bring?
watchOS 27 is rumored to focus on stability, performance, and minor improvements to the Apple Watch's health features. The update will not include major new features but will offer significant enhancements, especially in heart health.
Improved heart rate tracking
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg stated that watchOS 27 will include improvements in heart rate tracking but did not share details. With features like ECG tracking, irregular heart rhythm notifications, sleep tracking, and exercise metrics, Apple Watch has become one of Apple's most health-focused products.
New modular watch face
watchOS 27 will bring new watch faces, including a version of the "Modular Ultra" watch face, which is currently exclusive to Apple Watch Ultra.
New Apple Intelligence features
With watchOS 26, Apple Watch introduced AI features such as Workout Buddy, live translation in messages, and notification summaries. Of course, for these features, the watch must be paired with an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro and above). Turning to watchOS 27, Apple had promised to introduce AI developments across its platforms when it announced the WWDC 2026 date. watchOS 27 will bring new AI features like an AI-powered health coach.
New satellite features
Apple Watch Ultra 3 features built-in satellite connectivity, allowing users to utilize Emergency SOS, Find My, and Messages via satellite without relying on an iPhone. It is rumored that iOS 27 will introduce five new satellite features, some of which are expected to be added to watchOS 27. These include Apple Maps usage via satellite connection and photo sharing from the Messages app via satellite connection.
Meanwhile, Amazon has an agreement with Apple to provide satellite connectivity for current and future iPhone and Apple Watch features.
Apple appears to be focusing largely on stability, performance, and minor improvements for watchOS 27, rather than major new features and innovations. We will see if the update fixes existing bugs or introduces new ones.
When will watchOS 27 be released?
The first developer beta of watchOS 27 will be released immediately after the WWDC event on June 8th. The public beta is likely to be released in July. The update will be rolled out to all users with compatible Apple Watch models in September.
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