Apple introduced watchOS 26 at WWDC 2025, bringing a refined user experience with its new Liquid Glass design language, an AI-driven Workout Buddy, and smarter Smart Stack functionality. While the update is more incremental compared to other OS upgrades, it includes several practical enhancements for Apple Watch users.
Liquid Glass: A Sleek New Visual Experience
The Liquid Glass design introduces dynamic reflections and refractions across apps, making interactions more fluid and visually engaging. The redesign extends to widgets, notifications, the Control Center, and app navigation. The popular Photos watch face also benefits from the update, displaying images with improved clarity and depth.
Workout Buddy: Your AI-Powered Fitness Coach
One of the standout features is Workout Buddy, an AI-powered assistant that provides real-time encouragement during workouts. Leveraging Apple Intelligence, it analyzes data such as heart rate, pace, distance, and Activity Rings to deliver personalized feedback.
- During workouts, it marks milestones (e.g., mile splits) and tracks progress toward fitness goals.
- Post-workout, it summarizes performance and celebrates achievements.
- Voice feedback uses a new text-to-speech model, mimicking the energetic tone of Fitness+ trainers.
The feature requires a Bluetooth headset and a nearby Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone. Initially launching in English, it supports popular activities like running, cycling, HIIT, and strength training.
Smarter Smart Stack and Contextual Prompts
The Smart Stack now uses improved predictive algorithms, incorporating location, sensor data, and user habits to offer timely suggestions. For example:
- A Backtrack prompt may appear if a user is in an unfamiliar area.
- A Pilates reminder could pop up when arriving at a gym at a usual workout time.
Instant Translation and Wrist Gesture Controls
- Instant Translation in Messages automatically translates received texts and replies in real time (available on Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 with an Apple Intelligence iPhone).
- Wrist Flick Gesture allows users to dismiss notifications by quickly turning their wrist—useful for silencing alarms, declining calls, or returning to the watch face.
Workout App Improvements
The Workout app now features four corner shortcuts for quick access to:
- Custom workouts
- Pace guides
- Race routes
- Music/podcast auto-play settings
Apple Music also curates personalized playlists based on workout type and listening history.
Availability
watchOS 26 will roll out this fall, compatible with Apple Watch Series 5 and later. The update reinforces Apple’s focus on health, connectivity, and seamless usability.
David Clark, Apple’s Senior Director of watchOS Engineering, stated:
“Apple Watch is an essential companion for millions, and watchOS 26 delivers even more intelligent, personalized experiences—from fitness to communication.”
