The 2026 editions of Apple Watch will get some exterior upgrades including more sensors on the underside, according to a report.
The Apple Watch is known for having a lot of sensors onboard, to quantify the user's biometrics and to offer other information too. If a report about the 2026 models is correct, the list of sensors could shoot up considerably.
According to supply chain sources of DigiTimes, Apple will be making "exterior design" changes among others. According to the report, there will be double the number of sensors, changes to the exterior, and improved power efficiency.
The sensor change will be quite major, as it will involve "eight sensors arranged in a ring pattern visible through a glass cover on the watch's underside."
The existing design of the Apple Watch has a glass element covering sensors, so it seems probable that this could be made larger.
One alleged prototype from March 2025 could provide more clues about the changes. In the shared image, the supposed Apple Watch Series 10 prototype has a larger glass element, as well as eight light-colored lines in a circle.
This expansion of the underside of the Apple Watch's sensor section could be what is meant by the exterior design change.
Possibly an Apple Watch Ultra upgrade
As for which models will receive the supposed changes, the report doesn't specify, but it does allude to it being for the "high-end Apple Watch" models. This could mean the standard version, but it seems more plausible to describe the Apple Watch Ultra.
Current rumors for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 include one where it will have a slightly larger display versus previous iterations. This was raised following an iOS 26 developer beta, after the discovery of an image that indicated a change in resolution for the wearable.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also anticipated to gain satellite emergency messaging, along with the possibility of hypertension detection.
DigiTimes has a mixed track record when it comes to rumors. The publication often has a decent track record when referencing the supply chain itself, but it can miss the mark when it comes to revealing actual product details.
