Apple Watch Gets Some UI Design Changes From IOS 19, But Without Total Reshuffle

Apple Watch will be marketed with a "powered by Apple Intelligence" label (photo: x @appleinsider)

JAKARTA - The main software update for Apple Watch, which will be released this year, is rumored to only bring part of the user interface (UI) design change that Apple is preparing for iOS 19.

According to a report from Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, watchOS 12 will not get a comprehensive overhaul of the interface as will happen on the iPhone operating system.

Through the question and answer section in its latest Power On bulletin, Gurman said that Apple Watch will get a "new interface element in several parts," but the scale is not as big as it will be introduced on iOS 19.

iOS 19 itself is reportedly inspired by the visionOS' operating system used on the Apple Vision Pro's transparent display, glass elements, smooth light effects, as well as rounding icons and buttons.

Previously, The Verifier technology media had also reported that watchOS would eventually adopt several elements from the videoOS, including a bolder display, a bit transparent, and floating style. Buttons, menus, icons, and other interface elements are said to be getting a refresher.

Apple is also reportedly testing several new ideas for Apple Watch's Home Screen display. Although the report did not mention when the changes would be implemented, Gurman believes that this new design will begin to appear in watchOS 12 which is scheduled to launch this year.

Gurman also revealed that Apple is planning to launch a number of new features for Apple Watch which will be marketed with the label "powered by Apple Intelligence". Unlike iOS 18 which has started to integrate Apple Intelligence, Apple Watch currently does not have it because of the limited local storage needed by large language models that form the basis of this technology.

Apple is rumored to be retaining this architecture, where AI processing remains dependent on the iPhone paired with Apple Watch, instead of being done independently on the smartwatch device. However, Gurman has not explained in detail what new features will be introduced with Apple Intelligence support.

For the record, Apple usually releases the latest versions of its software including for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV every fall around September, coinciding with the launch of its newest devices.

With this gradual change, Apple Watch users can hope for a fresher user experience, although not as complex as presented on the iPhone.