A new leak suggests the Apple Watch lineup due in 2026 may offer several major enhancements, including Touch ID support, which would bring fingerprint authentication to the Apple Watch for the very first time.
Lines of internal code discovered by Macworld and confirmed by MacRumors hint that Apple is testing Touch ID for Apple Watch under the codename “AppleMesa.” Apparently, this feature is being prototyped alongside next-generation hardware currently codenamed “Watch8.”
The leak also reveals that Apple is preparing a more powerful chip for its 2026 smartwatch line. Models identified as N237 (Series 12), N238 (cellular Series 12), and N240 (Ultra 4) are set to use a new silicon platform labeled T8320. This would mark a meaningful upgrade compared with the current S-series chips, S9, S10, and the upcoming S11, all based on the older T8310 design.
While speculation mounts over how Touch ID will be implemented on such a compact device, patents previously filed by Apple point to possible options. These include embedding the sensor under the display or weaving it into the side button. Either approach could replace the need to manually enter passcodes and could boost the security of Apple Pay, and App Store purchases.
In addition to biometric support and a faster chip, this leak aligns with other reports of a major redesign for the Apple Watch expected next year. Industry sources say the 2026 models are likely to receive a fresh exterior look, possibly including more sensors arranged in a ring around the underside of the device and improved battery life through hardware refinements.
For Apple Watch users, this means the device could evolve into a far more capable and secure companion. Incorporating Touch ID would eliminate the need to type in codes or rely solely on paired iPhones for authentication.
A redesigned form factor with upgraded sensors could open the door to new health features while delivering better energy efficiency.
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