What's next for Apple Watch

Series 11 is but a month away: Here's what we know.

Author

Leander Kahney
August 04, 2025

In partnership with

I’m an Apple Watch Ultra man.

I like the extended battery life and bigger, chunkier screen on my puny wrist. And though I don’t use all of its athletic and outdoors functions, I do use it to track my weekly bike rides, walks and (less frequent) swims and hikes. So it’s kinda justified.

I do like the Apple Watch Series 10, though, and if I had the extra cash, I’d probably own one. It too has a big, bright screen, and it’s elegantly thin. It has that lust factor that’s missing from the more utilitarian Ultra. It’s a beautiful piece of electronic jewelry that stimulates that deep-seated desire to own it.

Its successor, the Series 11, will be unveiled in about a month. And while it undoubtedly will be beautifully designed and constructed, not too much is known about what to expect.

Unlike the iPhone 17, which has been talked about extensively in almost absurd detail long before its public debut, the Series 11 remains somewhat of a mystery.

Nonetheless, here’s a roundup of all the rumors and speculative features. It could be amazing — or a major disappointment!

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • The era of internet search is drawing to a close. AI-fueled searches are clearly the future, and Apple is starting to build its own "Answer Engine.”

  • After Bendgate, Apple learned a thing or two about structural integrity. It looks like an unlikely component might play a big role in stiffening the super-thin iPhone 17 Air.

  • Instead of renting Microsoft Office forever, buy it for life for just $70.

  • A new trailer for Spike Lee’s remake of a Kurosawa classic, Highest 2 Lowest, makes me want to ditch putting together this newsletter and head to a movie theater right now.

  • Today’s featured setup includes some tips about reducing eye strain from a user who went to crazy lengths to figure out how to alleviate his problems. As a sufferer myself, I’m definitely going to look into his whole approach.

  • The results of last Friday’s poll about what readers do with their old Macs weren’t what I expected at all. See below.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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Apple Watch Series 11 rumors: Could be amazing, could be meh

Before its September launch, here is what the rumors reveal about the Apple Watch Series 11. It might bring a rush of new features. Or not.

Apple begins building its ChatGPT rival

Apple quietly begins working on a ChatGPT-like search experience powered by an "Answer Engine" and led by former Siri head Robby Walker.

Leaked images show iPhone 17 Air's small 2,900mAh battery

The battery might take cues from the iPhone 16 Pro, with a steel enclosure to improve structural durability.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

This addictive app turns learning a language into a game

Multiple learning modes like matching games, dictation and Q&As immerse you in your language goals with the Qlango language learning app.

Tim Cook hypes Apple's AI efforts and 'amazing' product pipeline in all-hands meeting

In a rare all-hands meeting, Apple CEO Tim Cook tells employees the company will do whatever it takes to win the AI game.

Brain implant lets patients control Apple devices via thoughts [See it in action!]

Thought control of Apple devices eliminates the need for hand gestures and voice control.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac for just $70

Get a Microsoft Office for Mac lifetime license (2021 Home and Business edition), with essential productivity apps Word, Excel and more.

No mulligans needed: ‘Stick’ keeps audiences laughing week after week

Owen Wilson sports comedy “Stick” stays near the top of the streaming charts as season one wraps. And here’s what else has been popular on Apple TV+ in 2025.

Spike Lee and Denzel Washington go ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ in Kurosawa remake [New Apple TV+ trailer]

The new "Highest 2 Lowest" movie teaser trailer shows style to burn as Spike Lee and Denzel Washington take on a Kurosawa classic.

Today in Apple history: Steve Jobs acknowledges MobileMe failure

On August 4, 2008, Apple CEO Steve Jobs sent an email to staffers addressing the massive mistakes made with the disastrous MobileMe launch.

Reduce eye strain with these workspace fine-tuning tips [Setups]

For those of us who stare at screens all day, tired eyes are a problem. But this MacBook Pro user offers tips to reduce eye strain.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

In the first 30 years of your life, you make your habits. For the last 30 years of your life, your habits make you.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

What feature do you most want in the Apple Watch Series 11?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Results from yesterday’s poll: What do you tend to do with an old Mac?

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