This week, Apple announced the new iPhone 17 lineup at its ‘Awe Dropping’ event, but the spotlight also shone brightly on its latest range of Apple Watches, particularly the new Apple Watch Series 11. Anticipation is building as Apple confirmed that watchOS 26 will be arriving on September 15, marking a significant update for Apple Watch fans.
As Apple continues to innovate, its latest OS update promises a range of exciting features aimed at enhancing user experience and fitness tracking. While keeping up with these advancements can be challenging, here’s a closer look at five standout features set to elevate the Apple Watch experience with watchOS 26.
1. Advanced Health Features
(Image credit: Apple)
One of the highlights of watchOS 26 is the introduction of advanced fitness tracking features, led by the innovative Workout Buddy. This feature serves as an AI personal trainer, providing tailored coaching directly from your wrist. During workouts, it analyzes your fitness data—including heart rate, pace, and activity levels—to motivate you with personalized spoken feedback.
For users to access this dynamic feature, it’ll require an iPhone compatible with Apple Intelligence, specifically the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max or later models. In addition to Workout Buddy, the new Sleep Score feature and Hypertension alerts will also enhance health tracking capabilities, requiring specific Apple Watch models including Series 6 or higher, the Apple Watch SE 2, and any Apple Watch Ultra.
2. New Watch Faces
(Image credit: Apple)
In keeping with the theme of modernization, Apple has introduced a new Liquid Glass design that brings a fresh aesthetic to the watch. Alongside this update, four new watch faces are being introduced. The Exactograph face modernizes traditional timekeeping by distinctly separating hours, minutes, and seconds. Additionally, the Flow face utilizes Liquid Glass to create dynamic, colorful movements that respond to wrist movements.
3. Wrist Flick
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Introduced as a complementary gesture to the existing double-tap function, the new Wrist Flick feature allows users to effortlessly dismiss notifications, silence alarms, and stop timers, offering greater convenience when one hand is occupied.
4. Hold Assist and Call Screening
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Building upon the functionality introduced in iOS 26, watchOS 26 is set to roll out Hold Assist and Call Screening features. Hold Assist eliminates the frustration of waiting on hold for customer service, notifying you when a representative becomes available. Meanwhile, Call Screening assists in managing incoming calls from unknown numbers, providing context such as the caller’s name and purpose, which enhances user experience.
5. Live Translation
In an exciting addition, Live Translation capability is set to be available on the Apple Watch. This feature allows for automatic translation of incoming messages into your preferred language, breaking down communication barriers seamlessly. Similar to previous features, this will require a compatible iPhone powered by Apple Intelligence.
Overall, watchOS 26 is shaping up to be an impressive update, offering an array of features aimed at improving health tracking, interactivity, and convenience for Apple Watch users. Keep an eye out for the official release on September 15.
For more information on the latest features, you can check out the full details Here.
Image Credit: www.techradar.com
