watchOS 26 seems to be probably the most underwhelming working system replace of all the brand new software program previewed by Apple on the WWDC 2025 keynote.
Regardless of the reveal of Exercise Buddy, which is certainly one of our favourite options coming to Apple Watch, the brand new Liquid Glass design could have a comparatively small impression on the corporate’s smartwatch OS. Not like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, the Apple Watch was already transferring towards this new artistic path, so the variations aren’t as apparent.
Nevertheless, Apple Watch customers will nonetheless discover just a few methods by which watchOS 26 is about to alter the Apple Watch expertise as soon as it launches later this fall. In any case, the brand new design is able to each “reflecting and refracting” the design components in your Apple Watch.
5 greatest modifications coming in watchOS 26
Good Stack: Liquid Glass is answerable for bringing a brand new feel and appear to Good Stack. Whereas it would nonetheless work the identical approach it does on watchOS 18, with good predictions on the stacks, the design immediately feels extra glossy.
Refreshed Management Heart: Apple says it’s simplifying the Management Heart expertise with Liquid Glass icons. The corporate says that this redesign offers a “fast method to activate Do Not Disturb, silence Apple Watch, and extra.”
Apps get up to date controls: Apple says that the brand new Liquid Glass controls enable you to focus extra on the content material out there on the show. Due to this fact, you need to be much less distracted by different components once you look at necessary data in your display screen.
Watch face enhancements: Apple revamped among the watch faces to imbue them with the brand new Liquid Glass design. The Photographs watch face, for instance, will get the Liquid Glass look by making the picture stand out much more.
5 watch faces being eliminated: Sadly, together with the brand new Liquid Glass design, Apple can be eradicating a number of widespread older watch faces. Presently, it’s unclear if Apple ever plans to carry them again, however listed here are the faces which can be now not out there in watchOS 26, in response to 9to5Mac: Fireplace and Water, Gradient, Liquid Metallic, Toy Story, and Vapor.
