Technologies

10 Features That Would Make Me Buy the Apple Watch Series 11

The next Apple Watch is coming soon! These are ways for Apple to make it shine and keep up with the competition.

With WatchOS 26 now in public beta, we’re getting a telling preview of what’s coming to Apple Watches this fall. But for those of us eyeing the next model (likely the Apple Watch Series 11, and possibly an Ultra or SE), the real question is: How will Apple one-up itself from last year’s Series 10? Better yet, how will it compete with newer flagships vying for your wrist this year?

Some of these requests are grounded in rumors, while others are mere wishful thinking. Here’s everything I hope Apple brings to its next smartwatch.

This wishlist is focused on the Series 11, because it’s the flagship model and the one that usually sets the tone for where the platform is headed next.

1. Smarter Siri

After using Gemini AI on the Galaxy Watch 8, it’s painfully clear just how far Siri is lagging. Gemini isn’t just more conversational; it’s actually useful on the wrist. It handles complex prompts in one go, summarizes aloud and spares you from dead-end results or clunky app handoffs. On a smartwatch, where time and screen space are limited, that makes a huge difference.

If Apple wants to compete, it needs to bring more «intelligence» to the Apple Watch. Right now, the few AI features that are available on the watch in the beta of WatchOS 26 (live translations in text messages and Workout Buddy) require an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone to do the heavy lifting. Siri needs a serious upgrade across the board, along with more standalone processing power on the watch.

2. More powerful processor

This brings us to the chip that runs everything. The Ultra 2 and Series 10 already made strides by enabling on-device Siri for tasks like starting or stopping workouts without needing a phone nearby.

For the smarter Siri Apple envisions, the Series 11 will need more on-watch processing. The rumored S11 chip will have to bring real gains in speed and efficiency to support features like Workout Buddy directly on the watch, without leaning on the iPhone.

3. Two-day battery life

For me, battery life is one of the biggest deterrents to using the Apple Watch to its full potential. I get about 26 hours on the smaller Series 10 — barely enough to make it through a full day and night — which means constantly choosing between sleep tracking and starting my day with a full charge.

Most days, because I’m rushing out the door, I pick a full day over sleep tracking. That creates gaps in my Vitals app, throwing off the outlier alerts that could help flag onset illness, or the retroactive ovulation predictions that require overnight temperature tracking. And when I do manage a quick top-up, I often run out of juice midday (usually before my workout) so I don’t get the satisfaction of closing my rings.

The Ultra line has already shown what’s possible, pushing up to two days of battery life at full throttle (or 72 hours in low power mode). And while this may be far-fetched, I wish the regular Series would catch up. Apple hasn’t mentioned any efficiency gains in WatchOS 26, and so far, battery life rumors for the Series 11 are scarce. But if Apple can get us to a reliable 48 hours (even in low power mode), it would eliminate a major pain point for anyone serious about sleep tracking.

4. A surprise health/fitness metric

Blood pressure monitoring might be the most requested health feature I see (based on my very unscientific comment section data). Apple is reportedly testing it, but it may still be a year or more away. Noninvasive glucose tracking is another wishlist item but that’s even further out.

Still, there’s room for a novel feature that hasn’t leaked yet. Samsung’s Antioxidant Index was a pleasant surprise: a first-of-its-kind skin analysis that detects carotenoids. The feature hasn’t received FDA approval so it’s mostly categorized as a «wellness» tool and it’s questionable whether it will prove helpful long-term. But it sets the watch apart — and honestly, it was just fun to be surprised for once. It’s also been a neat little add-on that’s helped me stay more mindful of what I eat and how I manage stress by giving me something measurable to work on.

5. Clearer signals when you’re getting sick

The Apple Watch Vitals app already alerts you when multiple metrics are off but it doesn’t connect the dots for you. I’d love to see a feature like the Oura Ring’s Symptom Radar, which interprets those shifts and gently nudges you to take it easy, letting you pause your activity goals until your numbers are back to normal.

Apple does let you pause activity rings manually but when you’re dazed and sniffling, you’re probably not thinking about toggling settings. It should do that heavy lifting for you.

6. Circular design or rotating

This is veering deep into the realm of deranged wishful thinking but if Apple ever released a circular version of the Apple Watch — or better yet, added a rotating bezel like Samsung’s Classic series — I would be first in line. The rectangular design is iconic, but circular watches will always hold a special aesthetic place in my heart. And the beze l… that tactile cherry on top of a very elegant, albeit far-fetched, sundae.

7. UV exposure alerts

As someone who loves being outdoors, I never even considered I’d have issues getting enough Vitamin D in my day until I wore the Ultrahuman smart ring and realized my marathon office sessions were taking their toll. And I imagine this rings true for a lot of us. The ring would alert me when I hadn’t met my daily UV minimum — a surprisingly helpful nudge that made me rethink how much time I spend indoors.

The Apple Watch does have a UV Index complication option on some of its watchfaces but it’s passive and easy to ignore. I’d love proactive alerts that track your cumulative exposure and warn you when you’ve had too much — or not enough.

8. Dual frequency GPS, standard

The Ultra already includes precision dual-frequency GPS, but the regular Series 10 still doesn’t. Apple should make this standard across the board, just like Samsung did with its Galaxy Watch 8 lineup. It’s a feature you don’t realize you’re missing until you experience it, as it significantly improves location accuracy, especially in dense urban areas.

9. More app functionality

Now we’re crossing into software wishlist territory but I’d love to see full-fledged apps like WhatsApp on the watch with full call and message capabilities. The Notes app is finally arriving in WatchOS 26 (better late than never) and it’s a good reminder that there’s still a lot of untapped potential in bringing more everyday phone tools to the wrist.

10. More gesture customization

Apple introduced the double-tap gesture in 2023 and WatchOS 26 adds a flick gesture for quick controls. But gestures still feel underused (at least by this reviewer), mainly because you can’t customize them much beyond the limited list that Apple provides.

The default actions like silencing alarms or calls are fine but I’d love to assign gestures to things like pinging my phone or launching specific apps. Also, a small on-screen reminder flagging gesture shortcuts could go a long way in retraining that muscle memory.

Bottom line

Apple doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel with the Series 11 (although a rotating bezel would be nice) but with Gemini AI pushing Android forward, it does need to make some moves. Smarter Siri, more contextual health insights and a battery that can actually keep up … that’s the Apple Watch I’m waiting for.

Technologies

iPhone 17 Rumors: Everything to Know About Apple’s Upcoming Flagship

The new phone could feature a redesigned camera bump and a higher refresh rate — and maybe a higher price.

Key takeaways:

The iPhone 17 could feature a redesigned camera bump, though it may not be as drastic a difference as the Pro models.
A higher refresh rate could be coming to the full lineup, potentially enabling the baseline iPhone to have an always-on display.
Prices remain uncertain with tariffs, but they’ll likely go up, given it’s been years since Apple raised the price of the iPhone.

The anticipated reveal of Apple’s newest iPhone is just around the corner. For months now, rumors have been swirling about what the upcoming device, likely called the iPhone 17, could look like, from a redesigned camera module to fresh colors and a higher refresh rate. The phone is expected to debut in early September, although Apple hasn’t confirmed anything yet. You can also check out our rumors on the iPhone 17 Pro and the thinner iPhone 17 Air.

Perhaps the biggest looming question is whether iPhones could get pricier, especially with tariffs. President Donald Trump has said Apple will have to pay a 25% tariff on iPhones made outside the US. This would almost certainly lead to a price hike for consumers. We’ll have to wait to see how Apple responds and if shoppers really do end up shouldering that extra cost. But even without tariffs, the iPhone may be due for a markup, as it’s been years since Apple raised prices on its handsets.

Here’s everything analysts and leakers predict about the baseline iPhone 17.

See also: Thinking About Buying a New iPhone? Here’s Why You Should Wait

Camera bump redesign

It’s not an iPhone release without a camera upgrade, and there have been plenty of rumors about what the camera module could look like on Apple’s upcoming phones. In January, a leaked image from Majin Bu on X suggested the phone could feature a pill-shaped camera bar, essentially resembling what you’d find on Google’s Pixel 9 phone. In February, Bu followed up with CAD renders of what’s said to be the iPhone 17 lineup, featuring horizontal camera bars, as well as larger rectangular bars on the iPhone 17 Pro models.

iPhone 17 Lineup CAD pic.twitter.com/xednTkpJnq

— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) February 23, 2025

In April, Bloomberg reported the «iPhone 17 Pro will look a lot more like the 16 Pro than anticipated,» adding, «From the front, the 17 Pro will appear quite similar to the 16 Pro. It’s the back camera that will look meaningfully different.» The latest rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Pro’s three-lens camera arrangement will be maintained but will sit on a new panel that stretches across the phone’s width and is the same color as the rest of the phone.

Later in April, Bu again posted an image of the purported iPhone 17 lineup, showing those wider camera bars with the stacked lenses still configured to the left.

iPhone 17 Lineup pic.twitter.com/oUEEH9bJn5

— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) April 22, 2025

Not until next year, for the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, will Apple be «preparing a major shake-up» for the phone’s design, Bloomberg says. That includes a (long-rumored) foldable version and a «bold new Pro model that makes more extensive use of glass.»

Another camera-related rumor is that the selfie camera on all iPhone 17 models will be upgraded to 24 megapixels, according to analyst Jeff Pu. That’s a decent bump from the current 12-megapixel front-facing camera on the iPhone 16 lineup, although it’s important to remember that more megapixels don’t automatically mean better photos. Still, given how much people increasingly rely on their front cameras to snap selfies and record videos for TikTok and Instagram, this surely will be a welcome advancement.

iPhone 17 display upgrade

Rumor has it that all models of the iPhone 17 will feature a 120Hz display, bumping the non-Pro models up from their current 60Hz refresh rate. That could be a welcome change, as the discrepancy between the Pro and non-Pro refresh rate is surprising; when Apple debuted the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus with a 60Hz display, there was a bit of an outcry from folks who expected more in 2024. This rumored update could remedy that — and possibly bring the always-on display to the baseline model.

There’s been a lot of back-and-forth about whether the latest iPhones will have a scratch-resistant, anti-reflective display. A July report from MacRumors suggests that feature will in fact be arriving on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, just not the baseline iPhone 17 or the Air. This would make the Pro models the first iPhones with an anti-reflective screen, giving them a feature that CNET’s Patrick Holland deemed one of the best attributes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

There also have been contradictory reports on whether the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 17 lineup will look any different. In May, Pu said all iPhone 17 models will use a new metalens technology for the proximity sensor, which could allow Apple to reduce the size of the Face ID sensor and the Dynamic Island, according to 9to5Mac. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, on the other hand, said in January that the Dynamic Island would remain «largely unchanged» in the iPhone 17 lineup compared to the iPhone 16. We’ll have to see what ends up being true.

Rumors on what frames the iPhone 17 lineup will feature have gone back and forth. In February, Pu suggested the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will all have aluminum frames. He noted that the iPhone 17 Air could be the outlier with a titanium frame.

New chipset

In May, Pu noted the iPhone 17 would have the same A18 chip used in the iPhone 16, while the iPhone 17 Air and Pro models will feature an A19 chip. It’s possible the phones could also include the Apple-developed 5G modem, called the C1 chip, which debuted on the iPhone 16E.

In February, Kuo noted Apple will swap out Broadcom’s Wi-Fi chips for in-house chips across the iPhone 17 lineup, stating this would «enhance connectivity across Apple devices.» It’s not yet clear what exactly this would mean, but it would be interesting if Apple’s C1 chip was also accompanied by its own Wi-Fi chip.

iPhone 17 battery

So far, rumors suggest only the pricer iPhone 17 Pro Max could get a bigger battery, according to Ice Universe. The leaker says the top-of-the-line phone could go from 8.25mm on the iPhone 16 Pro Max to 8.725mm on the iPhone 17 Pro Max as a result. In addition, leaker Instant Digital suggests the high-end phone could have about a 5,000 mAh battery, a notable increase over the 4,685 mAh on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, according to third-party tests.

But that doesn’t mean the baseline version won’t get any boost. Even if battery capacity stays the same (which it may not), the AI-powered Adaptive Power feature arriving with iOS 26 can help extend battery life. The feature automatically adjusts your iPhone’s performance based on how you’re using it at the moment, according to Apple. This could especially be helpful with the slimmer iPhone 17 Air, which will likely also have a thinner battery.

iOS 26 brings a fresh look

Apple has revamped its mobile operating system with iOS 26 (not iOS 19), which is named after the last two digits of the upcoming year. And with iPadOS, MacOS, WatchOS, TVOS and VisionOS following the same naming convention, the move is designed to bring more uniformity — naming-wise and appearance-wise — across the operating systems.

The new Liquid Glass interface brings a more transparent, lens-like look to the iPhone and other Apple devices. With iOS 26, the Camera app also adopts a more minimalistic design and Photos once again makes it easier to find your albums by adding separate tabs for your Library and Collections, instead of forcing you to scroll through a single cluttered screen. Updates to Messages include being able to add backgrounds to chat windows and create polls in group chats, and a new screening tool can better detect spam texts and move messages from unknown senders to a dedicated folder. You can read more about iOS 26 features here.

In April, tipster Digital Chat Station noted that given the use of Apple Intelligence and AI on a «large scale,» the iPhone 17 lineup will come with 12GB of RAM, instead of the current 8GB. Kuo noted the iPhone 17 Air and Pro models would sport that increased 12GB of RAM, but that Apple was still deciding whether to equip the baseline model with 8GB or 12GB of RAM. In May, Pu noted the baseline would remain at 8GB.

Price and release date

We expect the iPhone 17 to become available in September although it’s not yet clear exactly when, as Apple hasn’t confirmed anything.

Historically, Apple has unveiled its new iPhones on the first Tuesday of September after Labor Day. However, the first Tuesday in 2025 is the day after Labor Day so it’s possible Apple could either push its iPhone event to Wednesday, Sept. 3, or hold it the following week on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

That would mean the phones could then become available on either Sept. 12 or 19. Preorders would kick off a week before general availability, on either Sept. 5 or 12.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said that the new iPhone announcement should come Sept. 9 or 10.

Price is also a big unknown. Jefferies analyst Edison Lee has said the iPhone 17 Air, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max will get a $50 price increase to offset tariffs and the higher cost of components, but didn’t mention the baseline iPhone 17. If that’s true, the starting prices for the full lineup could be:

iPhone 17: $829
iPhone 17 Air: $979
iPhone 17 Pro: $1,049
iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,249

Regardless of higher component costs or tariffs, the iPhone is overdue for a price increase, because the last price hike was five years ago.

The latest rumors suggest the iPhone 17 could be available in black, blue, silver, purple and green.

iPhone 17 Pro New Colors Revealed
Full Article:https://t.co/3knFKWBdB7 pic.twitter.com/tGoZABVTGP

— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) July 17, 2025

We’ll continue to update this piece as more rumors surface so be sure to follow along.

Check Out the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s Cameras, Display and Colors

+9 More

See all photos

Technologies

The AirPods Pro 2 Got My Teen’s Approval, and You Can Save 32% on Them Today

The excellent Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds are down to $169 on Amazon right now.

CNET’s key takeaways

You can get these amazing earbuds for just $169 right now on Amazon.
My teenager loves everything about them.
The sound quality on offer is exceptional.
The noise-cancelling can help give some space even in a busy home.

My 13-year-old daughter loves her music and her privacy, and for years she has wanted a pair of AirPods. They’re not cheap, so I’ve only been getting her more budget options, like the Amazon Echo Buds, as a result. These kept seemingly disappearing though, so I finally ponied up for the AirPods Pro 2.

I picked them up during last year’s sales, and they were definitely well-received. She’s happy, she uses them every day, and she hasn’t lost them yet. They are currently $169 at Amazon — a nice $80 discount from the usual price. While that’s not the cheapest we’ve seen them go for, it’s still a solid price for a high-quality pair like these.

HEADPHONE DEALS OF THE WEEK

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones (Navy):

$298 (save $50)
Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones (Black):

$40 (save $20)
Beats Studio Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (Black):

$300 (save $51)
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC Over-Ear Headphones (Black):

$299 (save $151)
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e ANC Over-Ear Headphones (Black):

$220 (save $180)

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why I didn’t wait for the AirPods Pro 3

Rumors abound that Apple will replace the Pro 2 with an updated Pro 3 version later this year. My kid wanted headphones sooner, so I got her the Pro 2s. But if you’re on the fence, here’s my perspective.

The main improvements to the Pro 3 are said to be heart-rate monitoring like the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 have, as well as a new design. Other speculation points to improved sound and processing with Apple’s H3 chip, temperature sensors, built-in infrared cameras, a touchscreen on the case, live translation of languages and more. There’s no way to know what they actually will have, but I do know that they’ll be more expensive than the Pro 2 (especially at this sale price). I don’t think those new features are going to be worth the money, however.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

You might have a different take, especially if you want heart-rate monitoring on your headphones for fitness sessions or one of those rumored extras. In that case, it might be worth waiting to see what the new versions include. The AirPods Pro 3 are expected to be announced in September and on sale soon after.

Why I didn’t get the AirPods 4 instead

Why did I choose AirPods Pro 2 instead of the newer AirPods 4 with ANC? First off, as I mentioned in another article about a different pair of earbuds I bought, I think sealed, in-ear buds are better than open-design models like the AirPods 4. The seal creates another layer of noise isolation and contributes to superior sound quality, and if you want to pay attention to the world you can always engage ambient sound mode, which Apple calls transparency mode.

Also a factor was the commentary of CNET reviewer David Carnoy, who considers the Pro 2 the best Apple noise-canceling wireless earbuds: «While we’re quite impressed with those new models — and with the AirPods 4 ANC in particular — the AirPods Pro 2 remain arguably the best Apple AirPods you can buy if you don’t mind having silicone ear tips jammed in your ears.»

My daughter uses earplugs all the time to help her sleep, so she definitely qualifies as somebody who’s comfortable stuffing things in her ears. Like her fingers, when I start using words like «sigma,» «skibidi» and «relatable» to try to relate to her.

I asked Carnoy about the Pro 2s potentially not fitting in her kid-size ears and he reassured me that the range of eartips that come with the Pro 2s «now include XS, so they should fit.»

Should you buy now with the threat of tariffs?

It’s no secret that President Donald Trump’s tariffs are leading to higher prices for a lot of things, including electronics. We’re actually tracking the price of the AirPods Pro 2 in our tariff tracker and as of press time the price has actually decreased since January.

If you’re in the market for AirPods 2 now anyway, now is a good time to buy. A Reuters report from April said AirPods could be subject to a 39% price hike to cover tariff costs, but the tariff situation is fluid, so I wouldn’t use that potential increase as a reason to buy now. If you wait until the new model comes out later this year, the price on the older AirPods Pro 2 might even get lower.

Do AirPods make a great gift?

It took me years to finally understand, but yes, for someone looking for wireless earbuds, AirPods — especially the Apple AirPods Pro 2 — make the perfect gift, regardless of whether you’re a teenage girl or not.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Aug. 4, #785

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Aug. 4, #785.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle could be tough. The blue and purple categories are pretty bizarre, although they’re fun once you see the connections. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group, to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Certain invertebrates.

Green group hint: Forest inhabitants.

Blue group hint: Involves a letter of the alphabet.

Purple group hint: Words with a similar sound.