APPLETON, Wis. — Apple is reportedly preparing to bring a simplified version of its premium Watch Ultra face to the broader Apple Watch lineup with the upcoming WatchOS 27 update, according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The change, detailed in Gurman's Power On newsletter, aims to make the modular design more accessible for everyday users while retaining key glanceable features. As the tech giant gears up for its Worldwide Developers Conference, or WWDC, in 2026, this tweak to the smartwatch operating system highlights Apple's ongoing efforts to refine its wearable ecosystem.
The new watch face draws inspiration from the Modular Ultra face, a hallmark of the rugged Apple Watch Ultra series launched in 2022. That original design features a prominent central complication for quick data access, surrounded by additional rings and smaller elements around the bezel, catering to athletes and adventurers who need at-a-glance metrics like altitude, heart rate, and compass readings. However, the WatchOS 27 iteration strips away much of that complexity, removing the large center complication, the three smaller ones positioned above the clock, and the peripheral bezel information, according to Gurman's report.
What's left is a cleaner layout: a large clock dominating the top two-thirds of the display, paired with three compact complication slots at the bottom. This streamlined approach could appeal to users of standard Apple Watch models, such as the Series 10 or SE, by offering essential information without overwhelming the smaller screen real estate. "Simplifying this specific watch face could be an attempt to make it more approachable for the standard Apple Watch lineup, while providing glanceable information with the three complication options," Gurman wrote in his newsletter.
Apple has not officially confirmed the details, and a representative for the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNET, which first covered the report. Gurman, a veteran Apple analyst known for his accurate leaks on the company's product roadmap, based his insights on sources familiar with the development. His track record includes early reports on features like the Dynamic Island in iPhones and the Apple Vision Pro headset, lending credibility to the WatchOS 27 rumors.
While the watch face update may seem minor, it fits into Apple's broader strategy of democratizing premium features across its device lineup. The Apple Watch Ultra, priced starting at $799, has long been positioned as the high-end option for extreme sports and outdoor activities, with its titanium case and advanced sensors. By adapting its signature face for WatchOS 27, Apple could encourage upgrades among existing users or attract new ones to the ecosystem without requiring a hardware purchase.
This isn't the only watch face refresh on the horizon. Apple plans to introduce the Pride Luminance watch face with the WatchOS 26.5 update, expected in the coming months. That addition will coincide with Pride Month in June, accompanied by a new matching watch band. The Pride collection has become an annual tradition for Apple, with colorful, inclusive designs that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Last year's Pride Edition band featured a woven nylon style with radiating stripes in the progress flag colors, and sales proceeds have supported organizations like The Trevor Project.
Looking ahead, WWDC 2026 is set to dominate tech headlines, with much of the anticipation centered on iOS 27. Reports suggest Apple will integrate Google Gemini-powered enhancements into Siri, bolstering its artificial intelligence capabilities amid competition from rivals like Samsung and Google. Gurman noted that rumors about WatchOS have been sparse compared to iOS, indicating that the watch face changes might be among the few visible updates for the wearable OS.
The evolution of watch faces underscores the Apple Watch's role beyond basic timekeeping. Since its debut in 2015, the device has grown into a health and fitness powerhouse, tracking everything from ECG readings to sleep patterns. WatchOS updates have iteratively improved customization, with faces like the Infograph and Chronograph allowing users to layer complications for weather, workouts, or calendar events. The Modular Ultra face, introduced with the Ultra model, was praised for its utility in demanding environments but criticized by some for its busy appearance on non-Ultra watches.
Industry observers see the slimmed-down version as a smart move to unify the user experience. "A new, modular watch face is set to make an appearance, which borrows heavily from the Modular Ultra watch face," Gurman reported, emphasizing the familiarity factor. This could help Apple retain its dominant market share in smartwatches, which analysts estimate at around 50% globally as of late 2024, according to firms like Counterpoint Research.
Apple's silence on WatchOS 27 leaves room for speculation. Past WWDCs have unveiled surprises, such as the blood oxygen monitoring in WatchOS 7 or the Fitness+ integration in WatchOS 8. If the report holds, the update could roll out in the fall of 2026, following Apple's typical September iPhone event cadence. Developers will likely get a preview at WWDC, allowing third-party apps to optimize for the new face.
Beyond aesthetics, WatchOS 27 might address other user pain points. Recent updates have focused on battery life improvements and gesture controls, like double-tap introduced in WatchOS 10. With health features under scrutiny—Apple paused sales of certain models in the U.S. due to a patent dispute with Masimo over blood oxygen tech—the software side remains a key growth area.
The Pride Luminance face, meanwhile, continues Apple's commitment to social causes. Introduced in WatchOS 26.5, it will feature dynamic lighting effects that shift with the time of day, similar to previous editions. Apple has timed these releases to align with global events, boosting visibility and sales during Pride celebrations worldwide.
As Apple navigates a competitive landscape, where Garmin dominates fitness tracking and Fitbit offers affordable alternatives, small refinements like these watch faces could sustain user engagement. Gurman's report suggests Apple has "several new watch faces in the works," hinting at more variety to come. Whether WatchOS 27 proves to be a substantial upgrade or primarily cosmetic remains unclear until official announcements.
In the broader context of Apple's AI push, the watch face changes might take a backseat to Siri enhancements. Integrating Gemini could enable more contextual responses on the wrist, such as proactive health alerts or smarter complication data. For now, the focus on modular simplicity reflects Apple's design philosophy: intuitive tools that blend form and function.
Apple Watch owners can expect the WatchOS 26.5 update soon, bringing the Pride Luminance face just in time for June festivities. As WWDC 2026 approaches, all eyes will be on how these incremental updates position the Apple Watch for the next phase of wearable innovation. Until Apple breaks its silence, reports like Gurman's provide the clearest glimpse into what's next for millions of users worldwide.