Apple Watch Shipments Beat Forecasts, Big Redesign Coming in 2026

Apple’s smartwatch business is looking stronger than expected heading into 2025 — and if the latest supply chain chatter is right, we’re in for the biggest Apple Watch redesign yet in 2026.

Shipments Already Running Ahead

According to a new DigiTimes report, Apple’s component orders for the first half of 2025 are about 10% higher than projected, with suppliers also preparing for a strong holiday season. That suggests demand for the upcoming models is running hotter than expected.

2026: The Watch to Watch

The real excitement is in 2026. Apple is reportedly working on a high-end redesign that will:

• Double the sensors on the back of the watch (from 4 to 8).

• Use a circular ring layout — a design that actually matches leaked Series 10 prototype photos from earlier this year.

• Improve power efficiency thanks to the new sensor arrangement.

So not only will the watch look different, it should also last longer on your wrist.

What’s Coming Before Then

First up is the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, expected this fall. Both will debut with:

• watchOS 26 and new Apple Intelligence-powered health tools.

• Blood pressure trend tracking — not exact systolic/diastolic readings yet, but alerts for potential issues.

• A continued push into algorithm-driven health insights.

The Long Game: Glucose Monitoring

Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring remains a long-term goal. It’s still facing big technological, regulatory, and patent hurdles, but Apple is said to be designing hardware with “future support” in mind. That means when the science is ready, the Watch could be too.

Bottom line: Apple Watch sales are trending strong for 2025, but 2026 could be the year we see the biggest leap forward in both design and health tracking.