The juiciest Apple Watch 11 rumors unpacked

✨ Apple Watch 11 rumors summarized

The Apple Watch 11, expected to be released in September, should again come in two sizes: 42 mm and 46 mm. No major upgrades are expected to the aesthetics as the screen and the overall design are expected to mirror last year’s Apple Watch series 10, and users are hoping that tariffs won’t have affected Apple’s traditional $399.00 base model pricing.  

The Apple Watch 11 is expected to come with a few performance updates, like a new S11 chip and 5G connectivity, which are expected to help the new watchOS 26 run even more smoothly. The jury is still out on whether the Apple Watch 11 will include some type of blood pressure monitoring, but many are hopeful.  

Release date: Easy to estimate based on historical evidence 

As the estimated launch date for the Apple Watch 11 draws near, rumors around pricing are swirling around the internet.  

Apple Watch series 11 release date rumors all seem to point to one thing: the Apple Watch 11 will likely be launched at the same time as the iPhone 17 during the week of September 8, 2025. We have historical evidence for this from ​​Cnet:  

“Historically, Apple has made the announcement on the first Tuesday of September after Labor Day, according to CNET Senior Editor Patrick Holland, who's reviewed mobile phones for a decade. However, the first Tuesday in 2025 is the day after Labor Day, so Apple could push the dates for its iPhone event to Wednesday, Sept. 3, or Tuesday, Sept. 9. That would mean a release date of Sept. 12 or 19, Holland said.” 

✨ The most widely speculated date based on this evidence is September 9, 2025, following Apple’s typical September release structure.  

Price range: Likely to stay the same

Apple has always aimed to keep their Apple Watch base model (the 42 mm size) accessible to a wide range of consumers. The base model pricing for at least the last six series of the Apple Watch has been set at $399.00. Most people believe that this will also be the case for the base model of the Apple Watch 11 — a price hike would break from a long-held tradition and potentially alienate some users. Following this line of reasoning, the larger size (46 mm), would be expected to cost $429.00. 

However, the current state of global affairs and US tariffs could potentially affect the price, pushing Apple to its first price hike for the base model of the Apple Watch in a very long time. It’s impossible to predict how much more expensive it could be based on these factors.  

✨ While tariffs could affect the starting price of the Apple Watch 11, many are hopeful that the base model will stay at $399.00, or at least not be hiked too much.

Design: A familiar look

There were plenty of rumors swirling last year around the potential redesign of the Apple Watch series 10, and users were sorely disappointed — the Apple Watch 10 was slightly flatter than its predecessor, but not much else changed.   

This year, we’re expecting the Apple Watch series 11 to look almost identical to the Apple Watch series 10. In January, a report from Apple Insider claimed that there will be “no clearly visible redesign to the Apple Watch series 11.” This isn’t a huge surprise — Apple tends to find a design that works and sticks with it for the long haul.  

While the physical design may not change much, there’s been speculation that we could see some new colors available for the Apple Watch series 11. According to Macworld, there have been rumors that Apple is planning to launch a sky blue version of the iPhone 17, and many think there will be a sky blue Apple Watch 11 to match.  

✨ Apple made a slight design change to the Apple Watch series 10, so it’s likely that they’ll keep the same design for series 11, but possibly with some new colors available.  

Display: Speculations of an update abound, but are they true? 

Similar to the probable verdict on the external design, the Apple Watch 11’s screen isn’t likely to change much, either.   

Current Apple Watches make use of a flexible OLED screen, which has been working just fine. However, some people point to a report from Digitimes from 2024 to make the case that Apple could be transitioning to microLED screens for its products as early as 2025. While it’s true that Apple has been working on this technology for many years, rumors that it could pop up at any time now have been proven false year after year. We don’t expect this year to be any different.   

✨ The Apple Watch 11 will most likely use the same type of screen as the Apple Watch 10.

Health features: Slightly expanded capabilities 

People online clamor for updates to the Apple Watch’s health features almost every year, as many use it as a tool to track their workouts and certain aspects of their overall fitness. Apple is expected to deliver on this expectation with the release of the Apple Watch series 11.   

The Apple Watch 11 should have all the same health features as the current Apple Watch: fitness and workout tracking, heart rate monitoring, and all the basics that we’ve come to know and love. Blood oxygen monitoring is unlikely to return on this model as the battle over the patent of the technology is still held up in court.   

The major health upgrade that’s expected in the Apple Watch series 11 rumors 2025 is blood pressure monitoring. At what level, though? We’re not quite sure. ​​Apple Insider seems to believe that high blood pressure detection will be included, but not general blood pressure monitoring. ​​Techradar agrees:

“The long-rumored blood pressure monitoring feature could well make an appearance on the Apple Watch Series 11, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This is likely to work like the existing sleep apnea detection, where you get alerts about elevated readings rather than round-the-clock measurements.” 

Macworld, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to think that blood pressure monitoring will be included at all, stating that

“while there have been rumors of high blood pressure monitoring, that’s apparently not quite ready to appear this year, either.”   

While the jury’s still out on whether blood pressure monitoring will actually be included in this year’s Apple Watch release or not, it’s clear that users are eagerly awaiting this new feature. One Reddit user stated,

“Blood pressure monitoring and/or Facetime video calls will be an upgrade for me whenever they come out.”

Yet another Reddit user said,

“Love the 10 already but would instantly trade it in if the 11 can monitor blood pressure.”  

Another Reddit user agreed, but brought up a valid point:

“Blood pressure monitoring would be nice. I guess it’ll only work with some wristbands, though.”

While many users are excited about the possibility of this feature, how the technology actually works and the accuracy of it is a real concern. We’ll just have to wait and see what Apple has in store.  

✨ The Apple Watch 11 will come with all the same health sensors as the Apple Watch 10, but the jury is still out on whether upgrades like blood pressure monitoring will be included.  

Performance: An upgrade to 5G and a brand-new chip 

Apple Watch 11 rumors 2025 state that we’re getting some major performance upgrades. If the rumors are true, Apple seems to have approached this aspect from every possible angle.  

First off, Apple Watches with cellular capability have only supported LTE connections, but this year we’re expecting a connectivity upgrade. According to​​ Techradar, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes that this Apple Watch could include MediaTek modems that support 5G and maybe even satellite messaging. Of course, this only applies if you’re purchasing the cellular version of the watch, which is typically a little more expensive. But, if you’re using your Apple Watch for messaging, calls, or streaming independently from your iPhone, this will mean a huge boost in speed and performance for you.   

Secondly, the Apple Watch series 11 will likely be powered by the new S11 chip, enhancing speed and performance even more. This would follow Apple’s tradition of bumping up the processor with each new release. While it may not be a monumental improvement, you can at least expect smoother app usage and greater efficiency, leading to a potentially longer battery life.  

And finally, what many users want to know: will Apple Intelligence be included on this year’s version of the Apple Watch? That actually has less to do with the new launch of the watch itself, and more to do with the latest versions of watchOS. The new watchOS 26 is expected to launch for the first time on the Apple Watch 11, and it will indeed include some Apple Intelligence features. Most notably, it offers the new Workout Buddy, a voice that tracks your workouts and can encourage you in real time. It will also be able to suggest actions based on messages you’re getting and provide Live Listening and transcription and translation services.   

While watchOS 26 will be available on Apple Watches from series 6 and newer, it is expected to run most smoothly on the Apple Watch series 11 thanks to the S11 chip.  

✨ With a new chip, 5G connectivity, and all the features of watchOS 26, the Apple Watch 11 is rumored to see a huge boost in efficiency and performance.  

How does the Apple Watch 11 measure up against series 9 and 10?  

While these rumors are still mostly speculation, we can still compare and contrast the Apple Watch series 11 with what we know about the Apple Watch series 9 and 10. Let’s take a look at their features side by side. 

How true are these Apple Watch 11 rumors?  

We’ve looked at all the leaks, gossip, expert predictions, and Apple’s history to bring you what we think are the most reputable Apple Watch 11 rumors. However, it’s important to remember that that’s all these are right now: rumors. We won’t know anything for sure until Apple actually releases the Apple Watch 11 at its September launch event.  

Personally, we’re looking forward to seeing what Apple has in store for us with this next Apple Watch series, and we hope you are, too. If you’re not looking to get your hands on the latest model just yet, though, we at Back Market offer plenty of other Verified Refurbished smartwatches that’ll do the trick.   

Whether you’re looking for an older Apple Watch or you’re in the market for a smartwatch from a different brand, we’ve got you covered. Each device offered on our pages goes through extensive software, hardware, and aesthetic checks, so you know you’re getting a quality device for less. We also offer a simple trade-in program, allowing you to get cash back or credit towards a new-to-you device by trading in your old one.   

What’s more, buying refurbished goods is better for the environment. Giving old tech a second life reduces the need for new manufacturing and prevents these devices from ending up in a landfill as e-waste. It’s a win-win. Take a look at our refurbished smartwatches.