Apple unveils watchOS 26 with Liquid Glass design, smarter fitness features and more personalisation

At the recent WWDC 2025, Apple showcased the highly anticipated watchOS 26, marking a significant evolution in the Apple Watch experience. The update features a striking new design dubbed Liquid Glass, which enhances visual appeal and interactivity. This innovative UI layer mimics the optical properties of real glass, expertly refracting light and adapting to the content on screen. Users will notice refined icons and a clearer interface, enriching the overall experience. One of the standout additions is the Workout Buddy, a voice-guided fitness companion powered by Apple Intelligence. This feature provides real-time motivation and personalized feedback tailored to individual workout history, heart rate, and more. For example, it can remind users of their progress, saying, “You’re 18 minutes away from closing your Exercise ring. So far this week, you’ve run 6 miles.” Workout Buddy will support various activities like running, cycling, and strength training, and the Workout app itself has been redesigned for quicker navigation and easier playlist management. The Smart Stack feature has also received enhancements, becoming more aware of users' routines and environments. For instance, it can suggest workouts when entering a gym or activate the Backtrack safety feature if a user loses connectivity outdoors. Additionally, new gestures such as a wrist flick offer users a hands-free way to manage notifications and alarms. The watch can now intelligently adjust speaker volume based on surrounding noise, ensuring that notifications and calls are heard without disrupting the environment. Apple is also enhancing communication with features borrowed from iOS, including live translation and customizable chat backgrounds within the Messages app. Finally, users can look forward to the arrival of the long-awaited Notes app, allowing for easy jotting down of thoughts and to-do lists right from their wrist. With customizable widgets and an array of personalisation options, watchOS 26 aims to make each user’s experience more intelligent and tailored to their everyday life. Developers can expect beta versions to roll out soon, with the full release set for later this year.