Overview
- Leaker Instant Digital claims 2026 models will closely resemble current watches, with a major visual overhaul not expected until the year after the iPhone’s 20th‑anniversary model, implying 2028.
- The new claim conflicts with an August DigiTimes report that forecast “significant” exterior changes in 2026 related to new sensors.
- Leaked Apple code indicates work on Touch ID for the 2026 lineup, potentially as an under‑display solution that preserves the watch’s outward appearance.
- Recent generations underscore Apple’s emphasis on internal advances, as Series 11 delivered under‑the‑hood upgrades without a notable exterior change.
- Instant Digital has a mixed record on Apple leaks, so the suggested redesign timing remains unconfirmed.