Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Apple reportedly does not plan to drop support for any older Apple Watch models with watchOS 12 (or watchOS 26). A leaker indicates the upcoming watchOS release will support Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models — the same as watchOS 11.
Apple discontinued support for several older Apple Watch models with the release of watchOS 11 in 2024
watchOS 12 might not cut off any Apple Watch models
watchOS 11 currently supports Apple Watch SE (2nd gen), Apple Watch Series 6, and all newer models launched since then. Both models launched in 2020 and will be five years old this September. Despite their age, Apple will supposedly support them with watchOS 12/watchOS 26.
A private account on X, known for its accurate Apple leaks, claims watchOS 26 will support the same models as watchOS 11. A MacRumors source also confirmed Apple will change the naming style of its operating systems this year. So, as a previous report suggested, Apple will unveil iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26 at WWDC25 next week, instead of iOS 19 and iPadOS 19.
While not mentioned, Apple may not bring Apple Intelligence-powered features to its older smartwatches due to resource constraints. Apple could limit its AI features to newer models, like the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Next watchOS release could focus on small usability upgrades
With last year’s watchOS 11 already being a major update, Apple will seemingly focus on smaller quality-of-life improvements this year. Another recent leak indicated watchOS 26 will open up the Apple Watch Control Center to third-party widgets. This should make it a lot more powerful.
Apple will also reportedly let users customize the Apple Watch’s Control Center directly from the Watch app on their iPhone for easier access and personalization.
One of the key highlights of watchOS 26 could be a new visionOS-inspired redesign. Apple will apparently make the same UI changes across all its other operating systems.
