In less than a month, Apple will unveil the next generation of Apple Watches, with three rumored models: Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3. While these models will likely look a lot like the current ones, Apple appears to have much bigger plans for its wearable.
Internal developer code published by Apple and seen by Macworld that has already revealed a 5G MacBook Pro and other details about upcoming Apple products also includes some tidbits about what to expect from future Apple Watch models coming in 2026 and beyond. While many details are still vague, one particular tidbit caught our attention: Apple is exploring ways to bring Touch ID to its smartwatch.
Touch ID might be coming to Apple Watch
According to specific entries in the code, Apple has been experimenting with some form of biometric authentication on the Apple Watch. Code for what clearly refers to the 2026 models of the Apple Watch mentions support for “AppleMesa,” which has long been Apple’s internal codename for Touch ID.
The code is explicitly for internal use only, which suggests that the idea is still in the prototype stage. None of the current Apple Watch models, including those coming out this year, reference Touch ID drivers, even for internal use.
Many Android phones have fingerprint sensors under the screen, but Apple has yet to release a product without a physical sensor.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
It’s unclear exactly how Apple would even implement Touch ID on the Apple Watch, though there are clues. The company has secured multiple patents for a biometric system in the Apple Watch, including one where Touch ID is placed on the side button of the watch. It’s also possible that Apple develops an in-display optical sensor, as has been previously rumored, or Apple adds a new Touch ID sensor on the underside of the watch.
A DigiTimes rumor last week claimed that next year’s Apple Watch is due for a “major redesign” with significant external hardware and sensor changes, as well as Apple Intelligence support. DigiTimes has had a sketchy track record of accuracy, though these new findings give the report some credibility.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4 will definitely have Touch ID, but it’s clearly something Apple has been working on for the near future. Personally, I would love to have an easier way to authenticate when I put my Apple Watch back on my wrist than typing in a code. Touch ID would also make Apple Pay on the Watch more secure.
A next-gen processor also in the works
Other evidence in the leaked code suggests that Apple has been working on something big for future Apple Watches. The 2026 models are identified as “Watch8,” which hints at a big hardware leap. For example, Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Series 11 are all part of the “Watch7” family due to their similarities.
The “Watch8″ family, on the other hand, consists of the N237, N238, and N240 models (Apple Watch Series 12 with GPS and Cellular, and Ultra 4) that will be powered by a new CPU identified as T8320. The last two generations of Apple Watch processors have the T8310 architecture, which is also expected to be used in the Series 11. Previously, Apple used the same chip architecture for the Series 6, 7, and 8 processors.
Until next year, we will have to settle for Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and a new Apple Watch SE, which are coming next month likely with a similar processor and Apple’s first Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, as we previously reported.
Author: Filipe Esposito, Contributor
Filipe Espósito is a Brazilian journalist who has been covering tech for over 10 years, and has become known for publishing exclusive reports on Apple's plans – such as the launch of the first titanium Apple Watch. He has worked for 9to5Mac and also co-hosts the tech podcast “A Fonte” in Brazil.