The next-generation Apple Watches, the Series 9 and the Ultra 2, could feature new and improved heart rate sensors and the new U2 chip, according to a new report.

Report: Apple Watch Series 9 To Include U2 Chip and Enhanced Heart Rate Monitor

Adriana MaraisSeptember 10, 23 Apple, Apple watch

As Apple’s Wonderlust event on September 12 approaches, anticipation for product launches is reaching its peak. This includes upcoming releases such as the new Apple Watch Series 9, the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra, and of course the new iPhone 15 series.

Now, while we have a rough idea of what to expect from the iPhone 15 series, relatively little has been leaked about the new Apple Watches. However, a new report now claims that Apple’s new Series 9 watches will get several improvements, including an updated heart rate sensor and a new U2 chip.

As Bloomberg reports, the new watches — the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra — both resemble previous iterations as Apple delays a redesigned Apple Watch for later. But according to Mark Gurman, the new watches will feature a new chipset and “various sensors and internal component upgrades.” This may also include a new and more accurate heart rate sensor.

Along with a better sensor, the report adds that the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will also get the U2 chip, which is a new and improved version of the ultra-wideband chipset found in the current hardware.

While Gurman expected all of the aforementioned hardware changes to carry over to the new watches, another change to the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s aesthetic would be the availability of a new all-black color. In particular, the outgoing first-generation Apple Watch Ultra is only available in one finish – titanium.

This year, Apple is expected to focus more or less on iterative updates to its Apple Watch lineup. Still, according to reports, a newly redesigned Apple Watch with a microLED display could hit the market sometime in the second half of this decade. According to previous reports, including those from analyst Ross Young, the microLED Apple Watch Ultra was launched sometime in the second half of 2025. However, according to TrendForce, the microLED Apple Watch Ultra is unlikely to be released until the first quarter of 2026.