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Apple Watch Series 11: Every Confirmed Leak, Feature, and What to Expect in 2025

Apple’s wearables division has seen immense growth over the last few years, and while the iPhone continues to dominate headlines, the Apple Watch plays a more vital role than many realize. As the company prepares to launch the Apple Watch Series 11, expected to be revealed in September 2025, all eyes are on how Apple plans to evolve the world’s most popular smartwatch.

With the Series 10 having introduced a major redesign in 2024, including a thinner chassis and the introduction of a near bezel-less edge-to-edge display, expectations for the Series 11 focus less on aesthetics and more on real functional innovation. Apple’s challenge now is to take the same sleek form and inject it with features that keep the Watch relevant in a market increasingly filled with capable competitors. This information is also featured on 9to9trends YouTube, so don’t forget to check it out.

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Under the Hood: The Power of the S11 Chip

A major internal upgrade is the inclusion of Apple’s next-generation S11 chip. As with every new iteration of the Apple Watch, a performance bump is expected, but this year’s focus is more about long-term optimization than headline-grabbing speeds. The S11 chip is said to improve energy efficiency, resulting in smoother overall performance, but users shouldn’t anticipate a massive increase in battery life over the Series 10. What truly sets the S11 apart is its ability to keep the Watch compatible with future updates, particularly watchOS 26 and beyond. With Apple’s track record of long-term software support, it’s reasonable to expect at least 5 to 6 years of updates, making the Series 11 a safe investment for those who prioritize longevity.

Apple’s First In-House Modem: Bringing 5G to the Wrist

Perhaps the most important advancement in the Apple Watch Series 11 lies in its connectivity. Apple is expected to debut its first in-house custom modem for the Apple Watch, following a similar transition already made with the iPhone 16. This development is not just a technical milestone—it’s a strategic one. With Apple moving away from third-party modem suppliers like Qualcomm, the company gains more control over hardware and software integration, improving efficiency and consistency across devices.

More importantly, this change sets the stage for 5G support on the Apple Watch. While this won’t bring lightning-fast mobile download speeds to your wrist, it will provide noticeably better connectivity for tasks like Apple Music streaming, notification syncing, and emergency features. The move to 5G also signals Apple’s intent to make the Watch more independent from the iPhone, pushing the boundaries of what a wearable can do on its own.

A Smarter Watch: New Health Sensor Capabilities

The Apple Watch Series 11 is also rumored to include a new blood pressure monitoring sensor, a long-requested feature that could dramatically enhance the Apple Watch’s role as a health companion. This would allow for passive monitoring of hypertension and provide alerts for rising blood pressure levels, particularly valuable for users managing chronic stress or cardiovascular conditions. Apple’s track record in health technology has been methodical but reliable, and the addition of this sensor would mark one of the most significant functional upgrades in years.

Meanwhile, there’s still speculation around the return of the blood oxygen sensor in the U.S., which has been disabled in recent models due to an ongoing patent dispute. International users have retained access to this feature, and it’s possible that Apple has developed a workaround or a redesigned sensor that avoids further legal complications. If that’s the case, American users might once again have access to this essential health tracking feature with the launch of the Series 11.

The Missing Piece: No Glucose Monitoring Yet

While there’s been consistent interest in non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, the technology is still not ready for public release. Sources suggest that Apple has made significant progress and even achieved functional prototypes, but accuracy remains a sticking point. For a feature that could be life-changing for those with diabetes or blood sugar sensitivity, Apple is holding back until its measurements meet medical-grade precision, likely 99.9%+ accuracy. That means glucose tracking is off the table for the Apple Watch Series 11 and possibly reserved for the Series 12 or later, depending on development progress. Apple’s cautious approach may frustrate some users, but it reflects the company’s strict standards for health-related features.

Expected Apple Watch Series 11 Price and Release Timeline

Apple is known for consistency when it comes to launch schedules, and the Apple Watch Series 11 is expected to debut alongside the iPhone 17 lineup in early to mid-September 2025. This timing aligns with Apple’s traditional fall event cycle. The watch will likely become available for purchase 10 to 14 days after the keynote presentation, placing the public release somewhere in the second half of September. Barring any unexpected supply chain issues or last-minute delays, buyers should have their devices in hand before the end of the month.

In terms of pricing, Apple doesn’t appear to be making major changes. The base Apple Watch Series 11 model is expected to start at $399, mirroring the price of the Series 10. This would be for the smaller case size with a standard band and minimum onboard storage. However, it’s worth noting that tariffs and component costs could still impact the final price in certain regions. For now, $399 remains the expected entry point for the Apple Watch Series 11, with prices increasing based on size, materials, and LTE options.

Final Thoughts: Is the Apple Watch Series 11 Worth the Hype?

The Apple Watch Series 11 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t have to. With an already modern design carried over from the Series 10, the focus this year is clearly on performance, connectivity, and health. The introduction of the S11 chip ensures a future-proof experience, while the custom 5G modem hints at a more independent Apple Watch ecosystem. The possible addition of blood pressure tracking expands Apple’s health suite significantly, continuing the trend of wearables becoming essential medical companions rather than just fitness trackers.

While features like glucose monitoring are still in development, the Apple Watch Series 11 represents a smart and measured evolution of the Apple Watch platform. For users on Series 8 or earlier, this could be the perfect time to upgrade. And for those already using Series 10, the internal changes might still justify the jump, especially for users interested in the latest health features and future-proof connectivity. With a September launch just around the corner, Apple Watch Series 11 is shaping up to be one of the most balanced and capable wearables Apple has ever released.

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