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The latest models are Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4, and SE 3. Series 12 and Ultra 4 were released September 18, 2026. SE 3 was released on September 19, 2025.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 were released on September 18, 2026, with watchOS 27.
Which Apple Watch to choose in 2026: For an affordable model with essential features — Apple Watch SE 3. For advanced health tracking and AI features — Apple Watch Series 12. For extreme sports or outdoor activities — Apple Watch Ultra 4. SE (2nd Gen) is not on Apple's watchOS 27 support list. Series 10 and Ultra 2 are, but they don't get the Audio Intelligence features.
Apple has released 20 Apple Watch models since 2015. There are four lines: standard Series (1–12), SE (budget), Ultra (extreme sports), and the original 2015 model.
Battery life is consistent across most models — unless you go Ultra. All standard models (Series 6–10, SE) last about 18 hours, with a Low Power Mode for up to 36. Series 11 and Series 12 last up to 24 hours. Apple Watch Ultra 1 or 2 gives you up to 72 hours. Ultra 4 lasts up to 50 hours of normal use and up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode.
Key health milestones by generation: → ECG and fall detection (Series 4, 2018) → Blood oxygen monitoring (Series 6, 2020) → Crash detection and temperature sensor (Series 8, 2022) → Sleep apnea detection (Series 10, 2024) → Satellite Emergency SOS (Ultra 3, 2025)
→ Continuous heart rate sensing every five seconds and readiness score (Series 12 and Ultra 4, 2026)
As an iPhone owner, you’ve most likely thought about getting an Apple Watch. It’s the ultimate iPhone accessory (and the smartwatch market leader), and a look at Apple Watches in order shows just how innovatively Apple has redefined smartwatches in terms of design, features, functionality, and health tracking.
Whether you’re a techie like me, a collector looking for the perfect piece, or a potential buyer, you are in the right place. I’ll guide you through the various Apple Watch generations, from the original 2015 model to the 2026 lineup, to show you how far we’ve come.
Already have an Apple Watch? Use our free Apple Watch serial number lookup (online tool) to find your exact model, check compatibility with bands and chargers, see the manufacturing date, and more.
Every Apple Watch release in order
Here’s a quick look at Apple Watch generations in order:
This was the first release in the Apple Watch timeline. Back then, it was simply referred to as "Apple Watch," though you might hear it referred to as "Series 0" today.
In view of the many "dumb" smartwatches that existed back in the day, Apple brought both style and functionality. You no longer needed to constantly poke at a tiny screen as you could control it with the Digital Crown and open features using Force Touch.
Fitness was also a key part of the watch, and it came with a heart rate sensor, gyroscope, and accelerometer for tracking movement — though back then, it was more about getting started than going pro.
Details:
Design: Available in 38mm and 42mm sizes
Performance: Single-core S1 chip
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
Memory & storage: 512MB RAM, 8GB storage
Battery life: Up to 18 hours
What’s new:
Health sensors: Heart rate sensor, gyroscope, and accelerometer
Water resistance: IPX7 rating
Milestones:
Digital Crown and Force Touch made the small screen much more usable.
Apple Pay Integration made secure, contactless payments a reality — straight from your wrist.
The heart rate sensor and basic activity tracking were significant in making wearables personal health assistants.
Seems like back then, the only thing that worried most users was the watch color:
Most users complained about the performance, but it was just the start for Apple.
Apple Watch Series 1
The Series 1 was a refined version of the first-gen model. After users complained about the speed, Apple decided to re-release it with a much faster processor. This was the dual-core Apple S1P chip (a version of the S2 chip), which made the watch 50% faster.
The fitness features and Force Touch stayed the same, but Apple gave it a new Ion-X strengthened glass to improve durability and splash and water resistance.
Details:
Design: The familiar 38mm and 42mm sizes
Performance: Apple S1P. Same as S2, but without the GPS
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
Memory & storage: 512MB RAM, 8GB storage
Battery life: Up to 18 hours
What’s new:
Optimized responsiveness: Addressed speed concerns from the first-gen model.
Ion-X strengthened glass: Better scratch and impact resistance.
Milestones:
The new dual-core processor significantly improved speed and responsiveness, doing away with the biggest issue of the Apple Watch Series 0.
The price was lower than the 1st gen, so you could upgrade without strain.
The Series 2 also boosted the speeds of the 1st gen by 50% with its S2 Chip. Joggers and runners well received it as you could now track activity with GPS instead of carrying your iPhone.
The phone also brought water resistance and unlocked new health and fitness workout modes like swimming. It was also twice as bright as Series 1, so could use it outside without much struggle.
Details:
Design: Maintained 38mm and 42mm sizes.
Performance: Equipped with the S2 dual-core processor – 50% faster than Series 0.
Connectivity: Introduced GPS Tracking on top of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Memory & storage: 512MB RAM, 8GB storage
Battery life: Up to 18 hours
What’s new:
Display: Up to 1,000 nits of brightness — twice as bright as its predecessors.
Water resistance: WR50 water resistance rating could withstand depths up to 50 meters.
Milestones:
You didn’t need to carry your iPhone when going on a run, and the Apple Watch became more independent.
This was the first Apple Watch you could swim with.
The Apple Watch O3 also made it possible to integrate your favorite third-party apps.
Apple Watch Series 3
The series 3, released in September 2017, introduced a major feature for Apple Watch users: LTE connectivity. You could use the Apple Watch for calls and texts by connecting your iPhone phone number through an eSIM.
The S3 chip also brought significant performance as it was 70% faster. This meant faster Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, and Siri could finally speak through the built-in speaker. Then, the altimeter was introduced, which made it possible to track the flights of stairs you climbed.
Details:
Design: Maintained 38mm and 42mm sizes
Performance: Dual-core S3 chip — 70% faster than Series 2
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 4 GHz, and GPS/LTE
Memory & storage: 768MB RAM, 8GB/ 16GB storage
Battery life: Up to 18 hours
What’s new:
Cellular connectivity: It came with an eSIM that shared the user’s iPhone number. It required a data plan and added a small monthly fee, giving users a new kind of freedom.
Altimeter: You could start tracking elevation.
Milestones:
With the enhanced processing power, Siri could now answer your queries via the Watch’s speaker.
The addition of an altimeter made it possible to add advanced tracking options, which are ideal for hiking, running, and climbing.
This is the model that paved the way for powerful and independent smart watches.
Apple Watch Series 4
The Apple Watch Series 4, launched in September 2018, was the first time Apple redesigned the watch. Instead of the boxy look of earlier Apple Watch generations, we got a sleek, rounded, rectangular finish. The bezels were also slimmer, giving users a 30% larger display.
Health-wise, the ECG sensor made its debut. You could monitor your heart rhythm and detect atrial fibrillation right from your wrist. A new fall detection feature could call for help if you fell and remained unresponsive.
Details:
Design: New 40mm and 44mm sizes, with an OLED Retina display that’s 30% larger
Performance: 64-bit dual-core S4 chip. Twice as fast as Series 3
According to Apple, the watch had now become a "health guardian."
Apple Watch Series 5
The Series 5 came in 2019 alongside the iPhone 11. However, considering the major changes in Series 4, this one was more of an iterative update. Nothing much changed about the design, although there was one feature that users had really asked for — the Always-On display. The display would now go as low as 1 Hz when not in use and smoothly switch back to 60 Hz.
International emergency calling was also possible for up to 150 countries, and the storage capacity doubled to 32GB.
Details:
Design: 40mm and 44mm sizes. Always-on Retina display introduced
Performance: S5 dual-core chip, more energy-efficient than the S4
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz, LTE, and international emergency calling
Memory & storage: 1GB RAM, 32GB storage
Battery life: Up to 18 hours
What’s new:
Built-in compass: Added directional tracking and elevation for improved navigation.
Always-on display: The screen could now stay on, and this didn’t drain battery life.
Milestones:
The always-on display meant you didn’t have to (awkwardly) lift your hand to see the time.
International emergency calling made the watch a useful travel companion.
The Series 5 built on the success of its predecessor, but its new features greatly enhanced convenience.
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple released the Series 6 in September 2020 along with the iPhone 12, and it was quite a big step in health monitoring. It introduced blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, which was a timely feature in the Covid-19 year (whew!). Users could keep an eye on their oxygen levels and even track their sleep.
The watch was also updated with faster-charging hardware to complete charging in about 1.5 hours, and it was the first edition where Apple dropped the Force Touch (introduced with Series 0). Its S6 chip delivered 20% faster performance.
Details:
Design: 40mm and 44mm sizes
Performance: The S6 chip 20% faster and more efficient than the S5
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 5GHz Wi-Fi, and ultra-wideband (UWB)
Memory & storage: 1GB RAM, 32GB storage
Battery life: Up to 18 hours
What’s new:
Blood Oxygen sensor: SpO2 monitoring for tracking oxygen saturation.
Sleep tracking: You could monitor sleep duration and stages.
Milestones:
The Blood Oxygen sensor was a significant addition, and it made the Apple Watch a superb health companion during the global pandemic.
It introduced sleep tracking and handwashing detection, which enhanced it further as a health and fitness companion.
Due to the OS upgrade, the watch could support many more apps.
Apple Watch SE
Apple needed a more affordable but modern option for new users (the Series 3 had been retained as the affordable option), and thresult was that the e SE 1sgeneration was the bested. It featured the S5 chip (2019) and ran the latest OS, but it skipped premium features like Blood Oxygen monitoring and ECG.
Still, it had the essentials: activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, and even fall detection. It was available in both GPS and LTE versions, and compared to the others starting at $400, it was quite affordable at $280 ($340 for the LTE version).
Details:
Design: Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes
Performance: Powered by the S5 chip
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.5 GHz Wi-Fi, and GPS/LTE
Memory & storage: 1GB RAM, 32GB storage
Battery life: Up to 18 hours
What’s new:
Fall detection: It can detect when you take a hard fall and even call for help if you remain unresponsive.
Latest OS: Apple’s budget watch ran the latest OS.
Milestones:
It introduced the Family Setup feature (alongside Series 6). Parents could now use it to connect their kids or older family members, even without an iPhone.
The processor was now 20% faster than the original SE watch.
The SE brought in more users as the Apple Watch was now much more affordable.
Apple Watch Series 7
The Series 7 was released in 2021 and featured one major change — the display design. Apple didn’t change the watch sizes this time around, but it stretched the display edge-to-edge. This gave the watch a more modern look and made it possible to add new features and UI elements — the biggest one being a full-size keyboard.
Durability was also a major focus due to the screen design, so Apple made the screen 50% thicker with IP6X dust resistance. It could also charge much faster, although battery life didn’t change.
Details:
Design: Available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. The display came out 20% larger than previous models
Performance: Used the new S7 – slight performance improvements over the Series 6
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 5GHz Wi-Fi, and ultra-wideband (UWB)
Memory & storage: 1GB RAM, 32GB storage
Battery life: Up to 18 hours, with 33% faster charging (full charge in 45 minutes)
What’s new:
Edge-to-edge display: Apple stretched the screen edge-to-edge without enlarging the watch.
Advanced Fitness Tracking: Added cycling workout features (including auto-start/pause and e-bike tracking) and new fitness options like Pilates and Tai Chi.
Milestones:
We could enjoy an edge-to-edge display, which added features.
Charging was much faster (by 33%).
This edition made the Apple watch even much easier to use.
Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Series 8 came with the same design and only a slightly improved processor. However, it introduced two new major features that were quite innovative: a dual temperature sensor and a crash detection feature. You could now record your temperature and know the effects of alcohol, illness, or ovulation. Crasdetectionon would also turn out to be a life-saving feature as it could detect when the user was in a car crash and even contact emergency services if they didn’t respond.
For the first time, you could extend the battery life up to 36 hours. This was made possible by a new Low Power Mode.
Details:
Design: Available in 41mm and 45mm sizes
Performance: Powered by the new S8 chip
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, 5GHz Wi-Fi, and ultra-wideband (UWB)
Memory & storage: 1GB RAM, 32GB storage
Battery life: Up to 18 hours in normal use, with Low Power Mode extending battery life to 36 hours
What’s new:
Temperature sensor: It could help detect changes in your body.
Crash Detection: This complemented the fall detection feature and made the watch a potential lifesaver.
Milestones:
The Series 8 brought an industry-first two-sensor design that tracked your baseline temperature.
Its ability to detect severe car accidents using multiple sensors was groundbreaking.
For the first time, an energy-saving option temporarily disables some features, allowing you to extend battery life up to 36 hours.
Its watchOS 9 also brought new watch faces, workout app enhancements, and sleep-tracking capabilities.
Apple Watch SE 2
Apple Watch SE 2 came alongside the Series 8 in September 2022, and it was a much-needed refresh to the original SE. While it didn’t change the design, it came with the much faster S8 chip (SE 1 had the S5 chip).
This meant it could support the latest watchOS 9 and handle more apps and features. The major one is Crash Detection, although the price point still meant it lacked the ECG and temperature sensors.
Details:
Design: Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes
Performance: Powered by the new S8 chip
Connectivity: 5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, ultra-wideband (UWB), and GPS
Battery life: Up to 18 hours, with Low Power Mode (36 hours)
Memory & storage: 1GB RAM, 32GB storage
What’s new:
Crash detection: It was lacking in SE 1 but was added to SE 2.
Advanced health features: The OS gave it new features such as sleep stages and aFib history.
Milestones:
With the newer S8 chip, the SE 2 could offer users much better performance and was optimized to run the latest features in watchOS 9.
Crash detection and low power mode were available on the budget watch.
At $249, it’s a reliable, budget-friendly smartwatch that delivers the essentials.
Apple Watch Ultra (1st generation)
At the same launch as the Series 8, Apple gave us its take on the ultimate adventure smartwatch — the Apple Watch Ultra. If you like to push the limits, from mountain climbing to diving, this one is for you. The watch sports a rugged design with a larger 49mm titanium case and a flat sapphire crystal display that’s designed to withstand even the most extreme conditions. And to make it visible anywhere, the brightness was doubled to 2000 nits.
The watch brought a new Action Button, which is quite useful for accessing frequently used functions. Apple also gave the battery a huge upgrade, lasting up to 36 hours and 60 hours on the low power mode – perfect if you are going away for a while.
Details:
Design: Features a 49mm aerospace-grade titanium case with a flat Sapphire Crystal glass display for maximum durability
Performance: Powered by the new S8 chip
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, Dual-frequency GPS
Memory & storage: 1GB RAM, 32GB storage
Battery life: Up to 36 hours and 60 hours when in Low Power Mode
What’s new:
Action button: Through it, users can quickly access key functions like shortcuts, workout modes, and compass waypoints.
Dual-frequency GPS & Compass app: For superior navigation accuracy for activities like hiking. You can retrace steps.
Night Mode: To minimize eye strain at night.
Advanced fitness metrics: Brings Stride Length, Heart Rate Zones, and new workout modes. Waterproof is up to 100m.
Emergency siren: There’s a siren you can use in case of emergency. It can be heard up to 600 feet (180 meters).
Milestones:
The watch is encased in titanium so it can take a beating.
Apple introduced a dedicated Action button that provides fast access to often-used functions.
It can be used for water sports, as it supports diving up to 100 meters and underwater activities (scuba diving up to 40 meters).
Many users praised how the battery enhanced with the Ultra series:
If you are into extreme sports or adventures, the Ultra was meant for you.
Apple Watch Series 9
The 2023 Series 9 brought a new powerful Neural Engine. This made it possible to introduce one of the coolest Apple Watch features — the double tap hand gesture. For basic functions such as answering calls and making selections, all you need to do is tap your thumb and index. Siri also became on-device, which means you don’t need an internet connection to use it.
The watch also doubled the brightness of Series 8 as it features a 2000 nit screen (the same as Ultra 1).
Details:
Design: Available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. The screen twice brighter (2000 nits) than the Series 8
Performance: Powered by the S9 chip with a 4-core Neural Engine
Connectivity: It features a 2nd-gen Ultra Wideband (UWB2) chip that makes finding iPhones more precise. Bluetooth 5.3 and 5GHz Wi-Fi are also available
Memory & storage: 1GB RAM, 64GB storage
Battery life: Up to 18 hours despite increased performance
What’s new:
On-Device Siri: Voice requests (like starting workouts or logging health data) are now processed directly on the device, making Siri faster and usable offline.
Double-tap gesture: A hands-free control option for answering calls or stopping timers. Uses the advanced Neural Engine.
Precision finding: Offers more accurate tracking of lost iPhones.
Milestones:
With the S9, the Apple chips were now powerful enough to support machine learning. This made it possible to introduce advanced features like on-device Siri and double-tap gestures.
For the first time, Apple Watch became carbon neutral.
The Series 9 chip brought a new level of performance such that Apple had to release another Ultra watch after a single year.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Given that it was only released a year after the first-gen model, the Ultra 2 didn’t feature any design differences. Well, apart from the fact that the screen was made 50% brighter with a 3,000-nit OLED display. The other features were meant to improve the performance of the S9 chip, enabling Series 9 features like on-board Siri and the double-tap gesture.
Details:
Design: Retains the Ultra Watch 1 design, with a screen 50% brighter.
Performance: Powered by the custom S9 SiP, featuring a 4-core Neural Engine.
Connectivity: Dual-frequency GPS, UWB2, Bluetooth 5.3.
Memory & storage: 1GB RAM, 64GB storage.
Battery life: Up to 36 hours, extending up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.
What’s new:
Double-tap gesture: You can perform various functions with a simple double-tap of the thumb and index finger.
On-device Siri: You can now make Siri requests offline.
Milestones:
Introduced Apple’s brightest display yet at 3,000 nits.
The first Apple Watch Ultra with carbon-neutral options.
The performance upgrade made the Ultra Watch 2 the most powerful and functional smartwatch.
Apple Watch Series 10
On the 10th Anniversary of the Apple Watch timeline, the company slightly redesigned the beloved accessory. It made it bigger at 42mm and 46mm, with a new wide-angle OLED display that’s 40% brighter than the Series 9. The Series 10 is also 10% thinner than previous generations.
In terms of the features, we now have Sleep Apnea detection and new water temperature and depth sensors for swimmers and divers. Plus, the always-on mode now operates with a higher refresh rate without reducing battery life. The watch also features fast wireless charging.
Details:
Design: New 42mm and 46mm sizes, 10% thinner than previous models, with larger displays and thinner bezels. 40% more brightness than Series 9
Performance: S10 SiP with a 4-core Neural Engine
Connectivity: Second-gen Ultra Wideband chip, Bluetooth 5.3, 5GHz Wi-Fi
Memory & storage: 1GB RAM, 64GB storage
Battery life: 18 hours of regular use, with faster wireless charging – A 15-minute charge will now give you up to 8 hours of use or sleep tracking
What's new:
Sleep apnea detection: The watch can monitor your respiratory rate and oxygen levels to know whether there are pauses in breathing when sleeping.
Water temperature/depth: You can measure water temperature and depth immediately after submerging the watch.
Milestones:
We now have the largest display ever on an Apple Watch. For comparison, it’s 30% larger than Series 6.
The introduction of sleep apnea detection further expands Apple’s health-tracking capabilities.
It’s the first Apple Watch with wide-angle OLED display technology – for enhanced brightness and viewing angles.
Some users have had time to test the new Apple watch and even got their first reviews:
Apple Watch Series 11, released September 19, 2025, has a more efficient screen that's twice as scratch-resistant on aluminum models. It runs on the S10 chip, making Siri smarter, with quicker gesture recognition and voice commands.
Thanks to watchOS 26, it gets a fresh new look, cool watch faces, and fun features like Workout Buddy and wrist flick gestures. It also supports 5G for faster connectivity and can last up to 24 hours on a charge, with quick charging options.
All in all, the Series 11 is a cool, health-focused, and connected gadget that looks great and works well.
Details:
Design: Sticks to the Apple Watch Series 10 design. Available in 42mm and 46mm sizes.
Performance: Offers a 5G network for faster streaming of music, podcasts, and apps.
Connectivity: Supports Bluetooth 5.3 and dual-band 5 GHz Wi-Fi for faster and more reliable wireless connections,
Memory & storage: 1 GB RAM and 64 GB storage,
Battery life: Up to 24 hours of normal daily use, which is an increase from the previous 18 hours. In Low Power Mode, battery life can extend up to 38 hours,
What’s new:
Water resistance: Up to 50 meters.
Faster processor: Dual-core S3 processor (70% faster than Series 2), enabling Siri to speak through the built-in speaker.
New chip added: New wireless chip (W2) with 85% faster Wi-Fi and 50% more power efficiency for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Milestones:
Introduced new software features with watchOS 26, like Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence.
Display glass is twice as scratch-resistant, made of Ion-X glass for aluminum models, while titanium models feature the highly durable sapphire crystal.
However, many users feel like there haven't been major upgrades and aren't sure if it's worth jumping to the new series:
Apple Watch SE 3
The Apple Watch SE 3 is a smart upgrade on Apple’s entry-level model. Powered by the S10 chip, it brings fast on-device Siri, double-tap and wrist-flick gestures, plus an always-on display — a first for SE.
It also adds important health tools like sleep apnea detection, sleep score, and wrist temperature sensing.
Details:
Design: Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, with sleek aluminum cases in Midnight and Starlight.
Performance: Powered by the S10 chip with a 4-core Neural Engine enabling fast on-device Siri, double-tap, and wrist-flick gestures.
Connectivity: Supports 5G cellular, Bluetooth 5.3, and dual-band Wi-Fi for fast connections.
Memory & storage: Equipped with 64 GB of storage.
Battery life: As the 2024 model, it offers 18 hours of regular use with fast charging.
What’s new:
New display feature: Always-On Retina display that allows viewing the time and notifications without raising a wrist or tapping the display.
Health feature improvements: Features like sleep apnea notifications, sleep score, and wrist temperature sensing.
New virtual assistant: Workout Buddy for personalized fitness coaching powered by Apple Intelligence.
Milestones:
The SE 3 packs cool features like the S10 chip and health tracking, all at a wallet-friendly price.
18-hour battery life and a fast charge that lets you recharge Apple Watch to about 80 percent in 45 minutes.
If I'm switching to a new watch, the Apple Watch SE is my choice because it offers cool features at a good value, especially the fast charge feature, which is really important to me since I've been a heavy Apple Watch user.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple presented the Apple Watch Ultra 3 as a game-changer for adventurers and athletes. It boasts the largest and brightest display Apple has ever made, a powerful S10 chip, and a massive 42-hour battery that can stretch to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.
What truly sets it apart is built-in satellite messaging and Emergency SOS, making it the ultimate safety companion off the grid.
Details:
Design: Larger and thinner titanium case at 49mm, with the largest and brightest display ever on an Apple Watch.
Performance: Powered by the S10 chip with 4-core Neural Engine for smooth performance and advanced on-device AI.
Connectivity: Supports 5G cellular, Bluetooth 5.3, dual-band Wi-Fi, and introduces built-in two-way satellite communications for off-grid safety and messaging..
Memory & storage: Comes with 64 GB of storage.
Battery life: Up to 42 hours of daily use, extendable to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.
What’s new:
Health features: Including hypertension notifications and sleep score, from enhanced sensors.
Navigation: New Ultra-exclusive Waypoint watch face for navigation.
Health feature improvements: Night Mode to preserve vision, and Workout Buddy for personalized fitness coaching.
Satellite improvements: Enhanced GPS accuracy and safety features, including Emergency SOS via satellite.
Milestones:
Fast charging in 15 minutes provides up to 12 hours of battery life.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 sets the bar for the largest display, longest battery life, and satellite connectivity.
Even though the Ultra 3 model offers one of the longest battery lives, users still want to see the watch last longer than 72 hours:
Apple Watch in 2026 and watchOS 27
In 2026, Apple expanded its lineup with Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Both were released on September 18 and run watchOS 27. Apple released watchOS 27 on September 14 for Series 9 or later, SE 3, and Ultra 2 or later. It adds Smart Stack widget suggestions, a one-handed tap gesture, and a Workout Buddy that works without your iPhone nearby. Some features need the new hardware. Audio Intelligence (Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Sound Recognition) requires Series 12 or Ultra 4, and Live Rewind and Siri Recap arrive in beta later in 2026.
Apple Watch Series 12
Source: apple.com
Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 12 on September 9, 2026, and released it on September 18. It keeps the case design Apple introduced with Series 10, but adds the new S11 chip, a Health Sensing System that measures heart rate every five seconds, and a ceramic case option. It runs watchOS 27 and starts at $399.
Details:
Design: 42mm and 46mm sizes in aluminum, titanium, or ceramic. Same case design as Series 10 and 11.
Performance: S11 chip.
Connectivity: 5G-capable cellular models.
Software: watchOS 27.
Battery life: Up to 24 hours, or up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. 15 minutes of charging gives up to 12 hours of use.
What’s new:
Health Sensing System: Heart rate is measured every five seconds all day, with more frequent heart rate variability readings.
Readiness: A daily score from 0 to 10 based on your activity, training load, vitals, and sleep.
Audio Intelligence: Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Sound Recognition, and faster Shazam. Live Rewind and Siri Recap arrive in beta later in 2026.
Tougher display: Aluminum models use Ceramic Shield 2 glass.
Ceramic case: A new ceramic option joins aluminum and titanium.
Milestones:
The S11 is the first real chip upgrade since the S9.
The ceramic case returns after several years.
Apple Watch Ultra 4
Source: apple.com
Apple announced the Apple Watch Ultra 4 on September 9, 2026, and released it on September 18. The rugged design stays the same, but the S11 chip and the new Health Sensing System bring more accurate heart rate sensing, a readiness score, and a much longer battery. It runs watchOS 27 and starts at $799.
Details:
Design: 49mm titanium case in natural or black titanium.
Performance: S11 chip.
Connectivity: Satellite communications for Emergency SOS, Find My, and Messages.
Software: watchOS 27.
Battery life: Up to 50 hours, or up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode. 15 minutes of charging adds up to 18 hours.
What’s new:
Health Sensing System: Heart rate is measured every five seconds all day.
Readiness: A daily score from 0 to 10 with a recommendation like Recover or Go For It.
Audio Intelligence: Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Sound Recognition, and faster Shazam.
Redesigned step tracking: New pedometer model and a real-time Steps complication.
Max Extended Workout mode: Tracks outdoor runs, walks, and hikes for up to 45 hours
Milestones:
Ultra 4 is the first Ultra with up to 50 hours of battery in normal use.
It uses the same S11 chip as Series 12.
Evolution of Apple Watch technology
Apple has really taken smartwatches to the next level with cool design updates and amazing displays. But it doesn’t end there — check out how upgrades have made each new generation even better than the one before.
Display advancements over time
The tech giant has significantly enhanced the Apple Watch display technology over the years, and here’s a look at the improvements certain generations have brought:
Apple Watch in order
Display advancements
Apple Watch (1st generation)
38 mm and 42 mm displays, with 450 nits
Apple Watch Series 2
Brightness increased to 1000 nits for outdoor visibility
Apple Watch Series 4
Bigger 40mm and 44 mm sizes with thinner bezels. 30% larger screen area
Apple Watch Series 5
The screen stayed on throughout
Apple Watch Series 7
Bigger 41mm and 45mm sizes; display became edge-to-edge and 20% larger.
Apple Watch Ultra
Larger 49mm case with 2000 nits brightness
Apple Watch Series 9
2000 nits (2x brighter than Series 8)
Apple Watch Ultra 2
3000 nits (1.5x brighter than Ultra 1 and Series 8)
Apple Watch Series 10
New 42mm and 46mm sizes; new wide-angle OLED display. 40% brighter than Series 9
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Thinner titanium case at 49mm, with the largest and brightest display
Apple Watch Series 12
Same case sizes as Series 11; aluminum models get Ceramic Shield 2 front glass
Apple Watch Ultra 4
Same 49mm case; no display upgrade announced
Today, you don’t struggle to see or use the watch in the sun or even underwater.
Evolving health features
When the first Apple Watch came out, it only had basic fitness trackers. Over the years, it has evolved to become a comprehensive health partner:
Apple Watch in order
New health features
Apple Watch (1st generation)
Heart rate sensor, gyroscope, and an accelerometer for tracking movement
Apple Watch Series 2
GPS for tracking outdoor workouts without an iPhone
Apple Watch Series 3
Altimeter for hiking or steps
Apple Watch Series 4
FDA-cleared ECG app for detecting irregular heart rhythms & Fall detection
Apple Watch Series 5
International emergency calling
Apple Watch Series 6
Oxygen sensor & sleep tracking
Apple Watch Series 7
New cycling workout features and fitness options
Apple Watch Series 8
Advanced fitness metrics for extreme sports; dual GPS for superior navigation
Apple Watch Series 9
Logging and accessing health data via on-device Siri; improved health tracking algorithms.
Apple Watch Series 10
Sleep Apnea detection, water temperature sensors, and depth sensors.
Apple Watch Series 11
Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence.
Apple Watch SE 3
Always-On Retina display.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Built-in satellite Emergency SOS and messaging.
Apple Watch Series 12
Health Sensing System: heart rate every 5 seconds; readiness score.
Apple Watch Ultra 4
Health Sensing System: heart rate every 5 seconds; readiness score.
The first Apple Watch generated many complaints about its performance as the watch could become annoyingly slow when in use. Apple soon updated it with a new chip that was 50% faster, and the company has gone on to redefine wearable performance:
Apple Watch in order
What’s with the chip?
Apple Watch (1st generation)
S1: Original chip; quite slow at times
Apple Watch Series 1
S1P: Same as S2, but without GPS; 50% faster than S1
Apple Watch Series 2
S2: 50% faster than S1; supports GPS
Apple Watch Series 3
S3: First dual-core processor; 70% faster than S2; Supports LTE
Apple Watch Series 4
S4: First 64-bit dual-core processor; 2x faster than Series 3
Apple Watch Series 5
S5: Battery efficiency to support always-on display
Apple Watch Series 6
S6: 20% faster and more efficient than S5 chip
Apple Watch Series 7
S7: Larger, more durable display & faster charging
Apple Watch Series 8
S8: Better integration with the new features, like the temperature sensor and Crash Detection
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
S8: The SE series uses the same chip as the Series 8, with fewer advanced features
Apple Watch Ultra
S8: Focus on ultra-durable, high-performance features for extreme conditions and outdoor adventures
Apple Watch Series 9
S9: 60% more transistors than S8; 4-core Neural Engine for faster machine learning and on-device Siri
Apple Watch Series 10
S10: Slight improvements on S9
Apple Watch Series 11
S10: 64-bit dual-core processor with a 4-core Neural Engine
Apple Watch Series 12
S11: first new chip since S9; powers the Health Sensing System and Audio Intelligence
Apple Watch Ultra 4
S11: same chip as Series 12; powers the Health Sensing System and Audio Intelligence
The different Apple Watch generations have managed to maintain the same battery life despite increasing power every year
Evolution in design and durability
Apple has used aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic, and even titanium cases in different Apple Watch generations. All the while, it has been enhancing durability while still making the design more appealing.
Apple Watch generation
Design & durability updates
Apple Watch (1st generation)
Original design; stainless steel or aluminum; basic water resistance (IPX7)
Apple Watch Series 2
WR50 water resistance rating (can withstand depths up to 50 meters); Ceramic option
Apple Watch Series 4
40m and 44 mm sizes, with thinner bezels
Apple Watch Series 5
Titanium cases introduced
Apple Watch Series 7
Edge-to-edge screen that is 50% thicker; IPX6 dust resistance
Apple Watch Ultra
Titanium case with sapphire crystal display; 100m water resistance
Apple Watch Series 10
Bigger at 42mm and 46mm, with a new wide-angle display; 10% thinner
Apple Watch Ultra 3
The largest display (49mm) and longest battery life (up to 72 hours)
Apple Watch Series 12
Same case as Series 10 and 11; new ceramic option; Ceramic Shield 2 on aluminum models
Apple Watch Ultra 4
Rugged 49mm titanium case in natural and black; up to 50 hours of battery
These innovations have positioned the Apple Watch as the industry benchmark.
What’s next for Apple Watches?
With Series 12 and Ultra 4 out, the next big change is rumored for the years ahead. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that Apple is working on a big Apple Watch redesign, but it is still at least a year away. Apple hasn't confirmed any of this.
Tip: If you’re interested in LLMs, AI, and machine learning innovations, visit our LLM News website.
The Apple Watch generations have redefined wearables
A quick look at the Apple Watch in order shows that the device has come a long way from a simple fitness device to a comprehensive health companion. Over the years, it has become significantly more powerful, and this has translated into more features and functionalities.
If you are an iPhone user, you can greatly enhance your iPhone experience by getting one. You can then complement it by adding Setapp, an app store that will give you access to 300+ apps. These include AnyTrans for iOS, which will help you seamlessly transfer and sync data between iPhone and Mac. There’s also ClearVPN for data security and CleanMy®Phone to ensure your iPhone stays clean, safe, and organized. All these apps are available under a single subscription, and you can try them out for free.
FAQ
When was the first Apple Watch released?
The first Apple Watch was released on April 24, 2015.
How often does Apple release new Apple Watch models?
Apple usually releases new Apple Watch models in September. They are released alongside new iPhone models, and each iteration brings improvements in performance and health-tracking features.
Which Apple Watch models have ECG?
Every full-featured Apple Watch from Series 4 onward (Series 4-10) and both Ultra models include the ECG app. The budget-friendly SE line does not have ECG.
What is the battery life of the latest Apple Watch?
The latest Apple Watch Ultra 4 lasts up to 50 hours of normal use and up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode. Apple Watch Series 12 lasts up to 24 hours.
Can Apple Watch track my blood oxygen level?
The Blood Oxygen app first appeared on Apple Watch Series 6. It’s built into Series 6-10 and both Ultra models, but it’s not available on Apple Watch SE.
What is the order of Apple Watch models by release date?
Here is the order of Apple Watch models by release date:
Apple Watch (1st generation), 2015
Apple Watch Series 1, 2016
Apple Watch Series 2, 2016
Apple Watch Series 3, 2017
Apple Watch Series 4, 2018
Apple Watch Series 5, 2019
Apple Watch Series 6, 2020
Apple Watch SE (1st generation), 2020
Apple Watch Series 7, 2021
Apple Watch Series 8, 2022
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), 2022
Apple Watch Ultra, 2022
Apple Watch Series 9, 2023
Apple Watch Ultra 2, 2023
Apple Watch Series 10, 2024
Apple Watch Series 11, 2025
Apple Watch Ultra 3, 2025
Apple Watch SE (3rd generation), 2025
Apple Watch Series 12, 2026
Apple Watch Ultra 4, 2026
What is the newest Apple Watch?
The latest models are Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and Apple Watch SE (3rd generation). Series 12 and Ultra 4 were released on September 18, 2026. SE 3 was released on September 19, 2025.
What is the chronological order of Apple Watch models from oldest to newest?
Apple Watch models from oldest to newest: Apple Watch (1st gen / Series 0) > Series 1 / Series 2 > Series 3 > Series 4 > Series 5 > Series 6 / SE (1st gen) > Series 7 > Series 8 / SE (2nd gen) / Ultra > Series 9 / Ultra 2 > Series 10 > Series 11 / SE 3 / Ultra 3 > Series 12 / Ultra 4.
Can you identify an Apple Watch by its serial number?
Yes. Enter the serial number into Setapp's free Apple Watch serial number lookup tool to get the exact model, case size, material, and warranty status. The serial number is found in the Watch app on your iPhone under My Watch > General > About, or in Settings > General > About on the watch itself. Useful for confirming which generation and variant you have before buying accessories or selling.
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