The Apple Watch Series 10 introduces a significant upgrade with its enhanced display, featuring a faster refresh rate that elevates the user experience. This new capability allows select watch faces to showcase a ticking seconds indicator, even while in always-on mode, making it easier for users to keep track of time without needing to wake their device. However, it's worth noting that at launch, not all watch faces utilized this new hardware. The upcoming watchOS 26 software update, set to release this fall, promises to expand these functionalities.
Upon its launch, the Apple Watch Series 10 supported three watch faces that could update seconds in always-on display mode: Flux, Reflections, and Activity Digital. Recently, Apple introduced updated versions of the Pride and Unity watch faces, bringing the total to five. While the watchOS 26 update will not make this feature universally available across all watch faces, it will enhance several existing ones. Notably, the California and Utility watch faces now feature a ticking seconds hand in always-on mode, which is a significant enhancement for users who prefer analog styles.
The watchOS 26 beta 1 includes a variety of watch faces that support the display of a ticking seconds hand in always-on mode. These faces include: Activity Analog, Activity Digital, California, Color, Contour, Count Up, Flux, GMT, Infograph, Meridian, Metropolitan, Nike Analog, Numerals Mono, Pride Harmony, Reflections, Stripes, Solar Analog, Unity Rhythm, and Utility. This array of watch faces covers most options with standard analog seconds hands, greatly enhancing the versatility and aesthetic appeal of the Apple Watch Series 10.
While many watch faces have been upgraded, some notable options still lack support for the always-on mode. Faces such as Chronograph Pro, Kaleidoscope, Lunar, Mickey Mouse, Modular Compact, Palette, Pride Analog, Pride Celebration, Solar Dial, Snoopy, Unity Bloom, Unity Lights, and World Time can display seconds but do not support this feature in always-on mode. Many of these faces feature custom designs that do not include a traditional seconds hand. Specifically, the absence of support for Chronograph Pro is disappointing, as it offers an analog seconds display in a sub-dial. Additionally, Modular Compact features a digital seconds indicator that could have easily been a candidate for the always-on update.
The watchOS 26 update also brings a revamped watch face gallery, although it does not introduce any completely new watch faces at this time. The Photos face features Apple’s innovative Liquid Glass design language, but Apple is likely reserving new watch faces for a future announcement, possibly coinciding with new Apple Watch models later this year.
The watch face gallery is now organized into various categories for easier navigation. These sections include:
New Watch Faces Health and Fitness Photos Clean Data Rich Pride Collection Dress Watch Tool Watch Bold Playful Unity Collection Colorful Astronomy World Scripts Motion Nike Collection Digital Time Analog TimeAdditionally, dedicated sections for the Apple Watch Ultra and Hermes collections provide tailored options for luxury users. This organized approach allows Apple Watch users to easily explore and select their preferred watch faces, enhancing personalization and functionality.
In conclusion, the Apple Watch Series 10 combined with the upcoming watchOS 26 update brings significant enhancements to display features and watch face options, making it an exciting time for Apple Watch enthusiasts.
