Apple has confirmed that the next major update to the Apple Watch operating system, watchOS 27, will be released next Monday, September 14th. This new version contains many new features. What’s New in watchOS 27 This update, with Siri AI at its core, includes a redesigned home screen and new tools around health and recovery features. The official announcement details that this update will be available for Apple Watch Series 9 and later models, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later models.
WatchOS 27 will kick off with the release of Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 on Wednesday, September 9. In the meantime, the beta version has shown off some of the features we can expect, and developers have already had access to the final version, the Release Candidate. Below we’ll summarize all the information currently known about the update and compare information from different sources in an effort to provide a comprehensive and reliable overview.
Release date and compatible devices
The official release date of watchOS 27 is September 14, 2026, and Apple confirmed on Monday that all users will receive the update. Compatible Apple Watch models already support devices running watchOS 26, including Apple Watch Series 9 and later, third-generation Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later. This means that older models, such as the Apple Watch Series 8 or second-generation SE, are not included in this update.
Compatibility is an important consideration, as not all Apple Watches will receive the watchOS 27 update. Users of older models may face the following issues: Recent models have reached the end of their life cycle and users may want to consider upgrading their hardware if they want to experience new features. Apple has confirmed that the update requires iPhone 11 or newer models with iOS 27, so phone compatibility is also an important consideration.
Siri artificial intelligence and new ways of interacting
One of the most eye-catching new features of watchOS 27 is the integration of Siri AI, and the Apple Watch is equipped with a dedicated Siri application. This allows Siri to answer questions and hold conversations more naturally, and syncs with other Apple devices. During the beta phase, Siri AI’s response speed and ability to solve common problems without using an iPhone have been significantly improved.
In addition, watchOS 27 also introduces a new one-finger tap gesture. This new feature allows you to open widgets in Smart Groups by tapping the screen with your thumb and index finger. This gesture complements the existing double-click action, which is now used to scroll through smart groups, and single-click action to select widgets. The app grid has also been redesigned; it’s now dynamic and displays Siri suggestions, your most used apps, and recently opened apps.
Health & Healing News
Code for the watchOS 27 beta shows that a new app called “Readiness” may be coming soon, which will focus on recovery and health. The app will appear on the home screen by default alongside the Fitness app and may provide a daily readiness score based on the user’s recent activity, exercise load, vital signs and sleep quality. Although not all feature details have been announced yet, judging from the name, it will help users better plan their day.
A possible improvement to the optical heart rate sensor that would provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio. This will enable more precise measurements and continuous heart rate tracking, a feature previously rumored to be available on Apple Watch Series 12. In addition, the Strength and Conditioning app will be expanded to record strength training data in greater detail, such as weight used and number of reps.
More storage space and other improvements
Another piece of information from the beta shows that the Apple Watch will be equipped with a 128GB NAND flash memory chip made by Samsung. This means that some Apple Watch models may have double the storage space, but it is not yet clear whether all models will come with it. The extra storage can be used to install more apps, save offline maps, and store music directly on the watch.
watchOS 27 also includes a unified Find My app, richer suggestions in Smart Groups, and improvements to Fitness Buddy, which now offers more fitness data and supports Spanish. In addition, the cycle tracking feature is also confirmed to support perimenopause and menopause, and the feature will be available in the Health app on both Apple Watch and iPhone.
In short, watchOS 27 is a major update with a focus on AI, health, and personalization. With Siri AI as its main new feature, along with a new gesture system and more precise health measurements, Apple aims to cement its Apple Watch as the most advanced health companion on the market. This update will be rolled out starting on September 14, and the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 will come pre-installed with this update.
