Apple just dropped watchOS 26, and I’m curious about what’s actually changed. I’m downloading it now and will be testing it over the coming days, but looking at the feature list, there are some things that caught my attention as someone who wears an Apple Watch daily.

I’m not going to tell you what’s “useful” or what you “should” care about. Usefulness is subjective, and what matters to me might not matter to you. But here’s what I’m noticing from the feature list.

Liquid Glass design

The new Liquid Glass design is the big visual change. It’s a translucent, frosted-glass effect applied across the Smart Stack, Control Center, and app controls.

I’m curious about this. The design changes are usually subtle, but they can make the interface feel more modern. I’ll have to see how it looks in practice.

Workout Buddy

There’s a new Workout Buddy feature that provides personalized, audible motivation during workouts. It analyzes your fitness history to provide encouragement and celebrate milestones like achieving a new personal best.

The Workout app has also been redesigned with four corner buttons for quicker access to features like Pacer, Race Route, Custom Workout, and Workout Buddy.

I always listen to music or podcasts during workouts, so the Workout Buddy might be annoying. But I’m willing to try it to see if it adds value or just gets in the way. The redesigned Workout app interface might make it easier to access features.

Smart Stack improvements

The Smart Stack now uses improved prediction algorithms that combine on-device data and daily routines to offer timely suggestions. For example, if you arrive at the gym at your usual time, your Apple Watch might display your workout routine at the top of your Smart Stack.

I’m curious about this. The Smart Stack can be useful, but I’m not sure how well the prediction algorithms will work for my routine. I’ll have to see if the suggestions are actually helpful.

Wrist flick gesture

There’s a new wrist flick gesture that lets you dismiss notifications, silence calls, and more by simply rotating your wrist away and back. This is useful when your hands are occupied.

I don’t really use watch gestures, so this probably won’t be very useful to me. I prefer to interact with the watch by touching the screen.

Notes app on Apple Watch

The Notes app is now available on Apple Watch. You can create new notes or view existing ones directly from your wrist, and you can use Siri to start a new note on the go.

I use Apple Notes a lot, so this could be useful. Being able to quickly jot down thoughts or check existing notes without pulling out my phone could be convenient.

Call management features

There are new Call Screening and Hold Assist features. Call Screening automatically answers unknown callers and lets you decide whether to take the call. Hold Assist keeps your spot in line while waiting for a live agent and notifies you when they’re ready.

I’m curious about Call Screening. It could be useful for avoiding spam calls, but I’m not sure how well it will work in practice. I’m also curious if it’s available in Spanish and whether it’s region-locked.

Live Translation in Messages

With Apple Intelligence, Messages can automatically translate texts into your preferred language. This feature supports multiple languages and is available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 when paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone.

I don’t use Messages or any IM apps on my watch, so Live Translation wouldn’t be useful to me. My experience with Apple Intelligence has been pretty disappointing so far anyway.

Automatic volume adjustment

The volume of incoming calls, notifications, and Siri now adjusts based on ambient noise levels. It’s quieter when you’re in a meeting or at the library, and louder when you’re in noisy environments.

This could be genuinely useful. Having the volume automatically adjust based on the environment could prevent embarrassing situations in quiet places.

Health monitoring enhancements

There’s a new Sleep Score feature that evaluates sleep quality based on various metrics, providing insights into sleep patterns. The system can also monitor for signs of hypertension.

I’m very interested in the new sleep tracking features. I already track my sleep with the Apple Watch, so having more detailed insights and a sleep score could be genuinely useful.

AirPods firmware updates

There are also AirPods firmware updates that accompany watchOS 26. These updates enhance integration with the Apple Watch and introduce features like automatic volume adjustment based on ambient noise levels.

The automatic volume adjustment could be genuinely useful during workouts. Having the volume of music or podcasts automatically adapt to the surrounding environment could provide a more consistent listening experience.

I’m curious about what other improvements the AirPods firmware brings. The integration between AirPods and Apple Watch is usually pretty solid, so any improvements could be welcome.

Regional availability

Some features may not be available in all regions. Apple Intelligence features, Live Translations, and some other capabilities have regional restrictions. It’s worth checking Apple’s documentation to see what’s available in your area.

Compatibility

watchOS 26 is compatible with Apple Watch Series 6 or later, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), and all Apple Watch Ultra models. It requires iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26.

What I’m curious about

I’m not sure what will actually matter for my daily use. The Liquid Glass design changes seem interesting, but I’ll have to see how they look in practice.

The Notes app on Apple Watch could be useful. Being able to quickly check or create notes without pulling out my phone could be convenient.

The wrist flick gesture could be genuinely useful. Being able to dismiss notifications without touching the screen could be helpful when my hands are occupied.

The automatic volume adjustment could be genuinely useful. Having the volume automatically adjust based on the environment could prevent embarrassing situations.

I’m skeptical about the Apple Intelligence features. My experience with Apple Intelligence has been pretty disappointing so far, but the translation feature might be useful if it works well.

It seems like mostly incremental improvements rather than major changes. No complicated setup, no major learning curve. Apple’s approach here is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, which makes sense for a mature operating system.

I’ll be testing it over the next few days to see what actually makes a difference in daily use.