In lower than a month, Apple will unveil the subsequent technology of Apple Watches, with three rumored fashions: Apple Watch Collection 11, Extremely 3, and SE 3. Whereas these fashions will probably look so much like the present ones, Apple seems to have a lot greater plans for its wearable.
Inner developer code printed by Apple and seen by Macworld that has already revealed a 5G MacBook Professional and different particulars about upcoming Apple merchandise additionally contains some tidbits about what to anticipate from future Apple Watch fashions coming in 2026 and past. Whereas many particulars are nonetheless imprecise, one specific tidbit caught our consideration: Apple is exploring methods to convey Contact ID to its smartwatch.
Contact ID is perhaps coming to Apple Watch
Based on particular entries within the code, Apple has been experimenting with some type of biometric authentication on the Apple Watch. Code for what clearly refers back to the 2026 fashions of the Apple Watch mentions assist for “AppleMesa,” which has lengthy been Apple’s inner codename for Contact ID.
The code is explicitly for inner use solely, which means that the thought continues to be within the prototype stage. None of the present Apple Watch fashions, together with these popping out this yr, reference Contact ID drivers, even for inner use.
Many Android telephones have fingerprint sensors beneath the display screen, however Apple has but to launch a product and not using a bodily sensor.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
It’s unclear precisely how Apple would even implement Contact ID on the Apple Watch, although there are clues. The corporate has secured a number of patents for a biometric system within the Apple Watch, together with one the place Contact ID is positioned on the facet button of the watch. It’s additionally potential that Apple develops an in-display optical sensor, as has been beforehand rumored, or Apple provides a brand new Contact ID sensor on the underside of the watch.
A DigiTimes rumor final week claimed that subsequent yr’s Apple Watch is due for a “main redesign” with important exterior {hardware} and sensor modifications, in addition to Apple Intelligence assist. DigiTimes has had a sketchy monitor file of accuracy, although these new findings give the report some credibility.
After all, this doesn’t imply that Apple Watch Collection 12 or Extremely 4 will certainly have Contact ID, however it’s clearly one thing Apple has been engaged on for the close to future. Personally, I’d like to have a better method to authenticate once I put my Apple Watch again on my wrist than typing in a code. Contact ID would additionally make Apple Pay on the Watch safer.
A next-gen processor additionally within the works
Different proof within the leaked code means that Apple has been engaged on one thing large for future Apple Watches. The 2026 fashions are recognized as “Watch8,” which hints at an enormous {hardware} leap. For instance, Apple Watch Collection 9, Collection 10, and Collection 11 are all a part of the “Watch7” household attributable to their similarities.
The “Watch8″ household, alternatively, consists of the N237, N238, and N240 fashions (Apple Watch Collection 12 with GPS and Mobile, and Extremely 4) that shall be powered by a brand new CPU recognized as T8320. The final two generations of Apple Watch processors have the T8310 structure, which can also be anticipated for use within the Collection 10. Beforehand, Apple used the identical chip structure for the Collection 6, 7, and eight processors.
Till subsequent yr, we must accept Apple Watch Collection 11, Apple Watch Extremely 3, and a brand new Apple Watch SE, that are coming subsequent month probably with an identical processor and Apple’s first Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, as we beforehand reported.
