A new leak suggests that Apple’s next major Apple Watch redesign might still be years away. According to a post on Weibo by the leaker Instant Digital, Apple may not introduce a new design for its smartwatch lineup until 2028 — a full four years after the last major update with the Apple Watch Series 10 in 2024.
The report indicates that the 2026 Apple Watch lineup will look largely identical to current models, including the Series 11 and Watch Ultra 3. The redesign is expected to come only after Apple launches its 20th anniversary iPhone in late 2027, pushing the next big visual change to 2028.
Minimal changes expected through 2027
If true, this means Apple’s upcoming watches in 2026 and possibly even 2027 will focus primarily on internal upgrades rather than aesthetics. The company could add improved hardware and new health-tracking capabilities but stay with the same general design language for at least the next two years.
The leak may come as a disappointment to users who were anticipating a major design refresh soon. Since the introduction of the flatter and thinner Watch Series 10, Apple has taken an incremental approach with later models like the Series 11 and Ultra 3, refining rather than reinventing its smartwatch design.
Earlier redesign rumors conflict with this leak
It’s worth noting that earlier reports painted a different picture. DigiTimes previously claimed that at least one 2026 Apple Watch model would bring a “significant” design update, thanks to new integrated sensors possibly related to Apple’s ongoing work on noninvasive blood glucose monitoring.
Additionally, in 2023, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple was developing a thinner case and a magnetic band attachment system for a future Apple Watch. While the slimmer design arrived with the Series 10, the magnetic attachment system has yet to appear on any model.
Other leaks have hinted that Touch ID biometric support could come to a future Apple Watch via under-screen technology, although that change may not influence the device’s overall appearance.
Design evolution slows down as Apple focuses on features
At this stage, the delay in redesign may reflect Apple’s maturing wearable strategy. Rather than overhauling external design every few years, the company now appears focused on delivering new health features, improved sensors, and better performance.
If this timeline holds, Apple Watch enthusiasts might have to wait until 2028 to see the next true evolution in design — making the current look one of the company’s longest-running designs in the product line’s history.