In another groundbreaking announcement from the tech world, Apple officially launched watchOS 26 on September 16, 2025, bringing a more personalized and intelligent user experience to Apple Watch owners. This version is compatible with Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), as well as Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2. The interface design of watchOS 26 is refreshingly new, adopting a brand-new Liquid Glass software design philosophy, making the overall visual effect more vivid and expressive. Apple states that this design uses real-time rendering technology to give content dynamic reflection and refraction effects, thereby enhancing the immersion of Smart Stack widgets, notifications, the Control Center, and in-app navigation. This visual upgrade might make users feel more delight and convenience in their daily use.
Beyond the interface design, watchOS 26 also introduces four brand new watch faces, greatly enriching user personalization options. These watch faces are not only suited for new watch models, but two of them will also benefit users with older models running watchOS 26, allowing them to experience the latest stylish elements. Feature-wise, the most eye-catching is the pioneering fitness function—Workout Buddy. Leveraging Apple Intelligence, Workout Buddy can provide personalized voice encouragement based on user data like heart rate, pace, and distance. During a workout, it can not only promptly remind users of the distance they’ve run this week but also send celebratory prompts when reaching certain key moments, helping users maintain motivation. After finishing a workout, Workout Buddy summarizes the workout data for the user and offers words of encouragement, significantly enhancing the fun and interactivity of fitness.
Meanwhile, the Workout app has also been upgraded. Four new buttons allow users to quickly access functions like Workout Views and Custom Workout, making operation more convenient. Furthermore, users can set up music and podcasts within the app to play automatically when a workout starts. Apple Music will even intelligently select the most suitable playlists based on the workout type and user preferences and electronics-related content, greatly increasing the enjoyment of exercise. In terms of applications, Smart Stack, through an improved prediction algorithm combined with user habits and sensor data, provides users with more contextual hints. For example, in areas with no signal, it will remind users to use the Backtrack feature; when the user arrives at the gym, it will recommend relevant workouts. Additionally, the new real-time translation feature in the Messages app allows users to instantly translate received messages and translate their replies into the sender’s language, making communication more barrier-free.
It is worth mentioning that Apple Watch Series 9 and later models also add a new wrist flick gesture, allowing users to easily dismiss notifications or calls with one hand, making operation more effortless. The release of watchOS 26 is not just a software update; it is an innovative attempt by Apple in the field of smart fitness. With advancing technology, more and more people are emphasizing health and fitness, and watchOS 26 is a product tailor-made for this trend. Through intelligent fitness functions and a personalized user experience, it allows every user to find fun and a sense of achievement in exercise.
According to the latest news, the release of watchOS 26 marks another milestone for Apple in the field of smart wearable devices. It not only enhances the user experience but also provides new directions and possibilities for the future development of health technology. Whether you are a fitness beginner or a seasoned sports enthusiast, watchOS 26 will bring you an unprecedented smart fitness experience!
