Apple's Watch lineup is missing its cheapest model this year

This article was published on August 9, 2026 Three models are in late-stage testing and none of them is an SE. Apple is walking away from the budget end just as Google ships a $99 tracker. TL;DRMark Gurman reports Apple is in late-stage testing on three Apple Watch models for autumn, none of which is an SE, alongside no design overhaul and the first new chip since 2023. Apple appears to be vacating the budget end of the watch market just as Google ships a $99 Fitbit Air and screenless rivals take the health category. Mark Gurman reports Apple is in late-stage testing on three Apple Watch models for autumn, none of which is an SE, alongside no design overhaul and the first new chip since 2023. Apple appears to be vacating the budget end of the watch market just as Google ships a $99 Fitbit Air and screenless rivals take the health category. Apple is in late-stage testing on three Apple Watch models for this autumn, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported: the Series 12 in Wi-Fi and cellular versions, plus the Ultra 4. He has not heard of a new Apple Watch SE planned for 2026. That absence is the actual news. The SE is the model that put an Apple Watch on wrists at a price that competes wit