Apple may not refresh the Apple Watch until 2028 but you can get one on sale right now

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a photo of the Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3
(Image credit: Future)

Apple just released a hardware refresh of the Apple Watch in 2024, but a new leak suggests we may not see another one until 2028. It's possible the refresh might not come even then.

The latest rumor comes from leakmaven Instant Digital who posted on Weibo in a machine-translated message that the Apple Watch series will “likely continue with its usual schedule next year,” referring to 2026. They added that anything new in 2027 is unlikely because of the iPhone.

The 20th anniversary of the iPhone is in 2027, so Apple’s focus will likely veer heavily in that direction. The Apple Watch just hit its 10-year anniversary this year, as the first smartwatch launched in 2015.

Contradicting rumors

Apple Watch Ultra 3

(Image credit: Future)

Instant Digital posits that a redesign might not be announced until after 2027, suggesting 2028 or later as a possible update. The Apple Watch tends to be iterative longer than the iPhone, and Apple has stuck to a fairly regular three-year update schedule for its smartwatches.

This rumor contradicts previous ones, including one from August that claimed the Apple Watch would see additional sensors on its underside, possibly the long-awaited blood glucose monitor. A timeline leak from June suggests that we’ll only see the Apple Watch Series 12 next year, with blood monitoring launching in 2027.

Meanwhile, Apple just lost a patent lawsuit with Masimo over blood oxygen monitoring and faces a potential ban from the International Trade Commission, which could hamper plans for future watches.

With that in mind, now might be the perfect time to pick up a new Apple Watch and fortunately, they’re all on sale.

Apple Watch Deals

Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm)
Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm): was $249 now $199 at Amazon

Even at full price, the Apple Watch SE 3 (in both sizes) is a steal and one of the best budget-friendly smartwatches available. It offers many of the same health tracking features and safety tech as its pricier siblings. The SE 3 features daily sleep reports and a sleep score, 24/7 heart rate and skin temperature monitoring, female health tracking and more.

Price check - $249 at Apple, $249 at Best Buy, $199 at Walmart

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Apple Watch SE 3 (44mm)
Apple Watch SE 3 (44mm): was $279 now $229 at Amazon

The 44mm Apple Watch SE 3 offers just a little bit more screen real estate and is also $50 off. It comes with the same bells and whistles as its smaller brethren. The Apple Watch SE 3 is the first in the SE line to offer an always-on display option, meaning the display will dim when you’re not looking at it and boost the brightness when you look.

Price check - $279 at Apple, $279 at Best Buy, $229 at Walmart

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Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm): was $399 now $349 at Amazon

For the first time since its debut, the Apple Watch Series 11 is officially on sale, knocking $50 off its price. This includes the GPS-only version. It’s the best overall Apple Watch for fitness and health tracking, offering a large, easy-to-read screen in a sleek case. Additionally, the Series 11 features 24 hours of battery life and superfast charging. Plus, it’s one of the only smartwatches that features hypertension alerts.

Price check - $399 at Apple, $399 at Best Buy, $349 at Walmart

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Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm): was $429 now $379 at Amazon

If you prefer large screens, the 46mm variant of the Apple Watch Series 11 is the largest you can get before you enter the realm of the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It features hypertension alerts and can monitor for signs of sleep apnea. If you’re in a car crash or take a hard fall, the watch can even alert first responders.

Price check - $429 at Apple, $429 at Best Buy, $379 at Walmart

View Deal
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch Ultra 3: $799 at Best Buy

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 isn’t on sale yet. While it isn’t our pick for the best fitness watch, it is the best overall smartwatch of the bunch. The Ultra Watch 3 features a large 1.93-inch OLED display with all the same tracking metrics as the Series 11 while being more durable and with a longer battery life that lasts up to 42 hours. If you live an active lifestyle and own an iPhone, the Ultra Watch Ultra 3 will do a lot for you when it comes to training and tracking. We have seen Amazon offer discounts of $100 off. If you don’t mind waiting until Black Friday, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will likely see a discount then.

Price check - $799 at Apple, $779 at Amazon, $814 at Walmart

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Scott Younker
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.

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