Apple has just rolled out the Release Candidate (RC) for watchOS 26 to developers and public beta testers. This is usually the final version before the software is released to the public, meaning that as long as no major bugs are discovered, this is the exact version we’ll all be installing on our wrists next week.
This update was released alongside a full suite of RCs for Apple’s other platforms, including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS, and more. You’ll need to have your iPhone updated to iOS 26 to install the new watchOS. On my Apple Watch Ultra 2, the update came in at a respectable 736 MB, and the final build number is 23R351.
New watch Faces
The most visually exciting part of any watchOS update is the new watch faces, and watchOS 26 delivers three stunning new options, pulling inspiration from the newly announced Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3.
- Exactoraph: My personal favourite among the three is Exactoraph, a truly unique design. In its active state, the watch face stretches out, with the seconds ticking away on the left and the time displayed in a cool, elongated style. When your wrist goes down, it cleverly compresses into a more traditional-looking watch face. It offers a few different styles and a full spectrum of colours, though some of the more minimalist styles don’t support complications.
- Flow: This elegant new face has a mesmerizing “liquid glass” effect that subtly shifts and warps as you move your wrist. It’s highly customizable with a range of colours designed to match the new Apple Watch and iPhone lineups, including a very sleek Jet Black option. You can choose to have a plain background or keep the subtle texture for a more dynamic look.
- Waypoint: Exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra, this face is built for adventurers. It essentially turns your watch face into a dynamic compass that always points toward a location you care about. The practical use cases here in Sheffield are immediately obvious. I can imagine parking the car at the start of a long trail in the Peak District, dropping a pin, and then being able to glance at my wrist at any point during the hike to see a live arrow pointing me straight back to the car, complete with the distance. It’s a simple yet brilliant feature that provides peace of mind when exploring off the beaten path. Add in the fact that you can still customize the complications for things like weather and elevation, and it becomes an incredibly dense and powerful tool for any kind of navigation.
watchOS 26 isn’t just about looks; it brings significant new health features that could make a real difference. First up is an all-new Sleep Score graph in the Health app. For those who wear their watch to bed, you’ll now get a much more detailed and graphical breakdown of your sleep quality, helping you better understand your rest and recovery.
The headline feature, however, is Hypertension Monitoring. While introduced with the latest Apple Watches, Apple is thankfully bringing this feature to older models, including the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. This feature allows your watch to monitor your heart data for patterns that could indicate hypertension. If a pattern is detected, it will send you a notification, empowering you to manage your cardiovascular health more proactively.
Performance and Stability
After running the beta for months and the RC for a day, performance feels incredibly refined. Apps like Noise, Podcasts, and Notes launch instantly, and navigating the system feels smooth and responsive. The entire operating system feels more polished and efficient than ever before.
Battery life remains solid. After a few hours of use this morning, and later in the afternoon after making a few stops at the Moor Market in Sheffield, my Apple Watch Ultra 2 is still at 72%. Keep in mind, I left home with it charged at 91%. More impressively, after 9 months of heavy use, its battery health is still at a perfect 100%—which is remarkable.
Apple has officially confirmed on its website that watchOS 26 will be released to the public on Monday, September 15th, likely around 10:00 AM Pacific Time (6:00 PM BST).
If you’re already on the beta, installing the RC shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re not, you could jump in now, as this build is likely very stable. However, the safest bet is to simply wait a few more days for the official public release. Unlike an iPhone, you can’t easily downgrade watchOS yourself if you run into trouble.
Overall, watchOS 26 is a fantastic refinement. While the hardware updates to the Apple Watch line were more iterative this year, this software update brings meaningful and exciting changes to the user experience, from beautiful new watch faces to potentially life-saving health features.
