Next Apple Watch Models Unlikely to Add Touch ID, Focus on Battery Life

Source: MacRumors

Leaker’s Statement

• In a recent Weibo post, Instant Digital pushed back on speculation that biometric recognition would arrive on Apple’s wearable lineup.
• The company is reportedly satisfied with users unlocking their watches via the paired iPhone.
• Adding Touch ID sensors would increase cost and consume internal space that could otherwise be used for battery capacity—a trade‑off Apple isn’t willing to make at this stage, the leaker suggests.

Background on Touch ID Rumors

• Last August, MacRumors confirmed lines of code uncovered by Macworld that hinted Touch ID could appear on the Apple Watch Series 12 or Apple Watch Ultra 4.
• The discovery sparked speculation that Apple might place the sensor under the display or integrate it into the side button, similar to its implementation on the iPad mini and iPad Air.

Outlook for Future Apple Watch Models

• The 2026 Apple Watch models are not expected to feature major design changes, and a redesign is unlikely until 2028 at the earliest.
• When a redesign does occur, Apple could introduce non‑invasive blood glucose monitoring technology, though the feature remains in early development.