In an exciting announcement today, Apple revealed three new smartwatches during its much-anticipated “Awe Dropping” event. Alongside the latest iPhone 17 models, Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and a refreshed Apple Watch SE, aligning closely with previous rumors. The Apple Watch Series 11 is now available for pre-order starting at $399, with shipping set to commence on September 19. Engadget's team, including Cherlynn Low, Sam Rutherford, and Billy Steele, is on-site for hands-on coverage, with comprehensive reviews expected within the week. Here’s an in-depth look at the features and specifications of the newest flagship model: the Apple Watch Series 11.
The keynote presentation kicked off with compelling testimonials highlighting how the Apple Watch has positively impacted users' health and well-being, including alerts that have led to life-saving interventions. A significant new feature of the Apple Watch Series 11 is its ability to identify hypertension. Dr. Sumbul Ahmad Desai, Apple’s VP of health, announced this feature, which aims to detect high blood pressure—a condition that affects over a billion people globally without noticeable symptoms. Utilizing the established optical heart sensor, a new algorithm, informed by machine learning and extensive studies involving over 100,000 participants, will monitor patterns indicative of hypertension over a month. While it can’t guarantee the detection of all hypertension cases, Apple anticipates notifying more than a million users of potential undiagnosed hypertension in its first year, pending FDA clearance.
Moving on to the design enhancements, Stan Ng, VP of Apple Watch and health product marketing, introduced the Series 11 as the thinnest and most comfortable model to date. The new Ion-X glass features a ceramic coating that is bonded at an atomic level, making it twice as scratch-resistant as its predecessor. Additionally, a new color option has been introduced—Space Grey—alongside the familiar Rose Gold, Jet Black, and Silver. The Series 11's case is now crafted from 100% recycled aluminum, an upgrade from the 95% used in the Series 10. The watch also offers a range of polished colors in 100% recycled titanium. A battery redesign allows for an impressive battery life of up to 24 hours, enabling continuous wear throughout the day and night.
In a bid to enhance user wellness, the Apple Watch Series 11 now introduces a sleep score feature. Users who wear their watch overnight will receive a score based on sleep quality, taking into account various factors such as duration, consistency, and wake times. This feature draws on data from the Apple Heart and Movement study to provide insights into sleep patterns and recommendations for improvement.
For those opting for the cellular model, the Apple Watch Series 11 will now support 5G connectivity, allowing for faster data connections even when the user's phone is not nearby. The newly designed modem and antenna architecture promise enhanced coverage while maintaining power efficiency. Users can expect 5G capabilities to be available from most carriers at launch, further enhancing the smartwatch experience.
The Apple Watch Series 11 will ship with the latest watchOS 26, featuring a new Liquid Glass design. Users can also look forward to a fresh watch face called Flow, designed to showcase a translucent aesthetic. Additionally, a modern reinterpretation of a traditional regulator clock, dubbed the Exactograph watch face, will be available for users eager to customize their experience.
Interestingly, the Apple Watch Series 11 retains the same S10 chip from last year's model, which had proven capable in previous tests. The design remains familiar, with the smartwatch available in 42mm or 46mm sizes. While Apple markets the Series 11 as the thinnest ever, it measures the same 9.7mm as the Series 10, which was well-received for its comfort. Notably, the starting price remains consistent, with the Series 11 also launching at $399, despite previous concerns about potential price increases due to tariffs.
The Apple Watch Series 11 is priced at $399 for the 42mm aluminum case with GPS-only connectivity, while the 46mm case starts at $429. For users interested in 5G cellular connectivity, an additional $100 will be added to both models. The titanium case starts at $699, inclusive of cellular capabilities. Additionally, a variety of new bands will be available, with premium options such as the Hermès variant priced up to $1,950, which includes a custom watch face.
