The smartwatch market has long been ruled by a handful of major brands, with Apple leading the way through its Apple Watch series. Now, it seems the Apple Watch could be getting even better, as reports suggest the company is exploring new biometric authentication features for the device.
Apple is looking to add Touch ID features to its upcoming smartwatches, finally fulfilling what has been part of the company’s secret projects for a while now under the codename “AppleMesa.”
The code has been used explicitly for internal use only, suggesting that it is still in its early stages. As it stands, no Apple Watch models have Touch ID drivers, including those set to launch within the next month.
It’s still unclear when we might actually see an Apple Watch with this feature, but the company has been laying the groundwork by filing patents for a biometric system.
One patent shows Touch ID built into the watch’s side button, which seems like the most likely spot for the first versions. Apple could also take a different approach, though, by using an in-display optical sensor or even a touch sensor on the back of the watch.
There have been recent rumors about Apple planning a “major redesign” of the series with new hardware and sensor changes. Other evidence in the leaked code suggests that Apple has been working on something big for future Apple Watches.
The 2026 models are identified as “Watch8,” which hints at a big hardware leap. For example, Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Series 11 are all part of the “Watch7” family due to their similarities.
So, just maybe, this could align well with these new reports, even though all this should be taken with a pinch of salt. For now, it’s quite clear that we will have to wait to hear anything about an upcoming Apple Watch that comes with any sort of biometric system.
