Apple is expected to provide the Pride Edition (2026) watch faces and wallpapers in the official versions of watchOS 26.5 and iOS 26.5, which are currently in beta testing. Bloomberg’s Mark Garman has the information on X (formerly Twitter).
Pride editions will be rolled out at the same time in 2024 and 2025
Apple has previously provided designs related to that year’s Pride Edition to coincide with OS updates around the same time.
- 2024: Official version of watchOS17.5 and iOS17.5
- 2025: Official version of watchOS18.5 and iOS18.5
Based on this trend, it seems likely that the Pride Edition (2026) dial and wallpaper will be added to the official version of watchOS 26.5 and iOS 26.5 in 2026.
Apple Watch bands compatible with Pride Edition are also expected to be released.
Every year, Apple has also introduced matching Apple Watch bands to match the Pride Edition watch faces and wallpapers.
- 2024: Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop
- 2025: Pride Edition Sports Band
Therefore, there is a possibility that related bands will be announced in 2026 as well.
Will the official version of watchOS/iOS 26.5 be released in mid-May?
watchOS26.5 and iOS26.5 are currently in beta testing, and beta 3 for developers will be released on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Expected next schedule
At this time, Apple has not announced the official release date, but based on the flow of beta testing so far, it is expected that it will proceed as early as the following date and time.
- Tuesday, April 28th: Beta 4 for developers
- May 5th (Tuesday): Release Candidate Date
- May 12th (Tuesday) or 13th (Wednesday): Official version
Will Pride Edition (2026) band be announced around May 4th?
In 2025, the Pride Edition (2025) Sports Band was announced on May 5th (Monday) prior to the release of the official iOS 18.5 version, and pre-orders began on the same day.
If the same schedule continues in 2026, the Pride Edition (2026) band may be announced around May 4th (Monday).
iOS 26.5 and watchOS 26.5 will have a new Pride Luminance wallpaper and watch face when it is released in the coming weeks. pic.twitter.com/lBeDcuQFEj
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 24, 2026
Photo:Appledata (@Appledataos)/X
Source: iPhone Mania
