No Touch ID for 2026 Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4

Apple has no plans to add fingerprint authentication, known as Touch ID, to its upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 or Apple Watch Ultra 4 models expected in September 2026, according to claims from Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo. Instead, the company is prioritizing larger batteries and more advanced health sensors, as the addition of biometric hardware would increase costs and consume valuable internal space in the compact wearable.

Instant Digital described rumors of Touch ID as unfounded, noting that Apple prefers users to unlock the watch via a paired iPhone, a method already in place with wrist detection and automatic pairing. Sources familiar with Apple's development indicate that fitting a fingerprint sensor would require trade-offs, including reduced room for battery expansion or upgraded health components. This approach aligns with user feedback, where battery endurance often ranks higher than additional security features on a device designed to complement a smartphone.

The Apple Watch has long featured robust health monitoring, including electrocardiogram readings, heart rate tracking, blood oxygen levels, fall detection, sleep analysis, and temperature sensing....