Apple continues to elevate the Apple Watch experience with each iteration of watchOS, and 2025 has already delivered a wave of fresh watch face designs and subtle changes that are sparking conversation among users. With the recent release of watchOS 11.5, Apple has expanded its dynamic catalog of watch faces—blending personalization, function, and identity in new ways—while also retiring some long-time favorites.
Fresh Watch Faces in 2025
Apple is treating users to a new range of artistic and expressive faces that not only look great but also take full advantage of the hardware’s capabilities, especially the Always-On Retina display found in newer models like the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.
1. Pride Harmony (watchOS 11.5)
Launched in May 2025, this vibrant new face honors the LGBTQ+ community with animated, geometric color patterns that respond to your wrist movement. It’s part of Apple’s ongoing annual tradition to release Pride-themed designs, reinforcing its message of inclusion.
2. Flux (watchOS 11)
A bold, kinetic design featuring oversized numerals and animated transitions. Flux plays particularly well with the 1Hz refresh rate of modern Apple Watch displays, offering a fluid and visually engaging experience throughout the day.
3. Reflections
This elegant face simulates the look of metal and light interplay—mimicking a reflective surface that subtly shifts as your wrist moves. Its analog aesthetic appeals to users who want sophistication with modern motion dynamics.
4. Photos Face (Redesigned)
The Photos face got a machine-learning-powered overhaul in watchOS 11, automatically surfacing your best images with intelligent framing. You can now choose the font, layout, and time style, though Live Photo animation support has been silently dropped—something longtime users have noticed.
Retired Watch Faces: A Bittersweet Farewell
Apple’s efforts to streamline and modernize watchOS have also led to the removal of several older watch faces in version 11, leading to a wave of disappointment from nostalgic users.
| Discontinued Face | Description | Reason for Removal |
|---|---|---|
| Siri | AI-driven glanceable info feed | Replaced by the more flexible Smart Stack widgets |
| Chronograph | Stopwatch-themed analog face | Supplanted by Chronograph Pro |
| Explorer | Exclusive to LTE models | Dropped for consistency across models |
| Numerals | Minimalist single-digit design | Removed likely due to limited customization |
The discontinuation of these faces has been met with user frustration on platforms like Reddit and Apple’s own support forums. Many users appreciated the simplicity or functionality of these designs, and some have called for their return as optional legacy options.
Why It Matters: Design Meets Utility
Apple Watch faces are more than decoration—they’re an extension of how users interact with time, fitness, notifications, and identity. Each face supports various “complications” (widgets like weather, heart rate, battery life), turning the Apple Watch into a customizable tool for productivity and wellbeing.
In 2025, Apple is clearly emphasizing expressiveness, performance optimization, and machine learning integration in its new faces. That strategy seems designed to harmonize aesthetics with the ever-growing feature set of the watch itself.
What’s Next: WWDC and watchOS 12
All eyes now turn to WWDC 2025, set for June. Apple is expected to unveil watchOS 12, which may include even more face customization options, new ambient modes, and tighter integration with Apple Health and AI-based services.
Rumors suggest Apple could introduce:
- Modular Smart Face layouts based on daily habits
- Enhanced adaptive faces that change throughout the day
- Faces tied to new health metrics or mood tracking
As personalization becomes a central theme of wearable technology, the Apple Watch is evolving to reflect not only the time but also the user—through vibrant design, contextual functionality, and intelligent adaptability.
Key Takeaways
- WatchOS 11.3 introduces the Unity Rhythm watch face while watchOS 11 adds Flux and Reflections designs to the Apple Watch collection.
- Photo watch faces have been updated with changes to Live Photo animation support.
- Users can easily explore and customize watch faces through the Face Gallery in the Apple Watch companion app.
Evolution of Apple Watch Faces
Apple Watch faces have transformed dramatically since the device’s introduction, combining technological innovation with design elegance. These digital interfaces have evolved from simple time-telling tools to sophisticated displays that offer personalization and functionality.
Historical Overview
When Apple Watch first launched, it offered a limited selection of watch faces that focused on basic timekeeping functionality. The early faces included Modular, Utility, and Mickey Mouse designs that demonstrated Apple’s blend of function and playfulness.
With the release of Apple Watch Series 4, the larger display allowed for more complex face designs. This generation introduced the Infograph face, which could display up to eight complications simultaneously – a significant upgrade for power users.
The Series 5 brought the always-on display, fundamentally changing how watch faces were designed. Faces needed to work in both active and dimmed states while preserving battery life.
Series 6 expanded the collection further with new faces like Typograph and Memoji, giving users more ways to express their personal style through their Apple Watch.
Trends and Innovations
Recent years have shown Apple embracing cultural relevance with special edition faces. The Unity Rhythm watch face, part of the 2025 Black Unity Collection, represents this trend. This face requires Apple Watch Series 6 or later, showcasing how newer hardware enables more advanced designs.
Animation has become increasingly important in modern faces. The new Flux face for Apple Watch Series 10 features a bold graphic design that fills the screen with color second by second, taking advantage of the larger display.
Customization options have expanded dramatically. Today’s Apple Watch offers over 20 different face styles, each with numerous personalization options for complications, colors, and styles.
Watch faces now serve multiple purposes beyond telling time. They function as information dashboards, wellness trackers, and style statements – reflecting the evolution of the Apple Watch itself from a simple timepiece to a comprehensive health and lifestyle device.
WatchOS 11 and Its Impact
Apple’s latest smartwatch operating system brings significant improvements to design, functionality, and health tracking capabilities. WatchOS 11 represents one of the most substantial updates in recent years, focusing on enhancing the user experience through visual updates and improved health metrics.
New Watch Faces
WatchOS 11 introduces several fresh watch face options that combine aesthetics with functionality. The new “Flux” face features bold numerals and vibrant colors that make time-checking easier at a glance. “Reflections” reimagines classic watch design with a modern twist, offering a sophisticated look for professional settings.
The photo watch face has been redesigned, though some users in online communities have expressed mixed feelings about its bold font approach. Even at its thinnest setting, the new font appears thicker than previous versions.
These new designs support Apple’s ongoing effort to balance personalization with readability. Each face can be customized with various complications to display important information directly on the main screen.
Enhanced Complications
Complications in WatchOS 11 have evolved to provide more useful information without requiring users to open apps. The update introduces smarter widgets that adapt based on time of day and user habits.
The new Smart Stack feature automatically rotates through relevant complications, showing what you need when you need it. For example, it might display your workout stats in the morning and calendar appointments before meetings.
Health metrics receive particular attention in this update. WatchOS 11 now helps users better understand their daily health status by tracking overnight vitals and showing how workouts impact the body over time.
Offline maps have been added as a complication option, allowing hikers and travelers to navigate without cellular connectivity – a practical addition for outdoor enthusiasts.
Public Beta Insights
The public beta program for WatchOS 11 revealed several issues that Apple has addressed in subsequent updates. WatchOS 11.0.1 fixed problems including unexpected restarts for some users and the Music app quitting when loading media.
Battery drain remains a concern noted by some beta testers. Apple continues to work on optimizing power consumption, particularly for newer features that might be more resource-intensive.
Users participating in the beta program appreciated the offline maps functionality and health tracking improvements. However, feedback on the new watch faces has been mixed, with some users preferring previous designs.
The release candidate version incorporated numerous bug fixes and performance improvements based on user feedback, demonstrating Apple’s commitment to refining the experience before wider release.
Latest Series Designs
Apple’s newest watch designs introduce larger displays, innovative watch faces, and improved functionality across their lineup. Each model brings unique features tailored to different user needs and preferences.
Apple Watch Series 10
The Apple Watch Series 10 introduces a significantly larger display with a thinner profile than previous models. This expanded screen real estate allows for more immersive watch face designs and improved readability.
One standout addition is the new Flux watch face, which features a bold, color-filled graphic design that changes second by second. This face takes full advantage of the Series 10’s bigger display capabilities.
The Series 10 is also the only Apple Watch model that can display seconds on the watch face in always-on mode, enhancing its functionality for users who need precise time tracking.
Other improvements include:
- Enhanced customization options
- Better visibility in various lighting conditions
- More space for complications
- Improved battery efficiency despite the larger display
Apple Watch Ultra and Series 6
The Apple Watch Ultra continues to serve adventure-seeking users with its rugged design and specialized features. Its watch faces are optimized for outdoor activities and extreme conditions, with high-contrast options for better visibility.
Series 6 models maintain popularity with their balance of features and affordability. These watches support most of Apple’s watch face library with customization options that include:
- Multiple complications
- Color adjustments
- Style variations
- Activity tracking integration
Both models allow users to switch between faces quickly based on different activities or occasions. The Ultra particularly excels with faces designed for water sports, hiking, and night visibility.
Apple Watch SE Capabilities
The Apple Watch SE provides essential face functionality at a more accessible price point. Though it lacks some premium display features of higher-end models, it still offers impressive watch face versatility.
SE users can access many popular watch faces through the Face Gallery in the Apple Watch app on iPhone. The process is straightforward: browse the gallery, select a face, and customize complications and features before adding it to your watch.
While the SE doesn’t support all of the newest graphic-intensive faces like Flux, it handles traditional analog and digital designs beautifully. Users can still personalize their experience with:
- Different color schemes
- Essential complications
- Activity rings
- Weather information
The SE proves that advanced watch face functionality isn’t limited to Apple’s premium offerings.
Cultural and Themed Watch Faces
Apple Watch faces do more than tell time—they celebrate cultural moments and special themes through unique designs. These faces often combine artistic elements with functional features to create meaningful timepiece experiences.
Black History Month
Apple’s commitment to cultural celebration shines through its Black Unity Collection. For 2025, Apple has created a special edition watch band and a new watch face called Unity Rhythm. This face symbolizes the vibrancy of Black communities and celebrates unity through thoughtful design elements.
The Unity Rhythm face requires Apple Watch Series 6 or later, paired with iPhone Xs or newer devices. It will be available in an upcoming software update. This joins previous Black History Month designs like the Unity Mosaic watch face, which drew inspiration from the artistic process of mosaic creation.
These cultural watch faces aren’t just decorative—they represent important stories and communities while providing full functionality.
Special Editions and Collaborations
Apple regularly partners with artists, brands, and organizations to create limited edition watch faces. These special collaborations blend unique aesthetics with the Apple Watch’s technical capabilities.
The trend for 2025 includes a revival of retro-inspired designs that bring nostalgic elements to modern technology. Pop culture references are also gaining popularity, with “Fandom Flair” faces featuring beloved characters and franchises.
For the minimalist user, “Minimalist Magic” faces offer sleek, uncluttered designs that prioritize simplicity without sacrificing style. These faces often include subtle animations that enhance the user experience without overwhelming the display.
Special edition faces typically include customization options that allow wearers to adjust colors, complications, and other elements to suit their preferences.
Integrations and Customization
Apple Watch faces now offer extensive personalization options that blend aesthetics with functionality. Users can enjoy deeper integration with apps and services while customizing their watch experience to match personal style and practical needs.
Modular Watch Faces
The Modular watch face remains one of the most versatile options for Apple Watch users. This highly customizable layout allows users to display multiple complications simultaneously, making it ideal for those who want information at a glance.
Recent updates have enhanced the Modular face with improved data visualization and more complication options. Users can now choose from expanded health metrics, weather conditions, and third-party app information.
The color schemes have also been refreshed, giving users more ways to personalize their watch display. Many users appreciate the ability to set different Modular configurations for work, exercise, and leisure activities.
The new Modular Ultra layout provides even more information density while maintaining readability on the limited screen space.
Siri Face and Intelligence
The Siri watch face has received significant upgrades focused on proactive intelligence. This dynamic face now better predicts what information users need throughout their day.
Siri Face integrates with calendar, reminders, and maps to display relevant information exactly when needed. The Smart Stack feature automatically rotates through widgets based on time, location, and user habits.
Recent improvements include:
- Enhanced integration with third-party apps
- More responsive contextual updates
- Better handling of recurring events
- Improved transit information
- Smarter notification management
Users report that the Siri Face now feels more personal and useful, especially with its ability to learn preferences over time. The intelligence features now work more seamlessly across Apple’s ecosystem.
Numerals and Iconography
Apple’s typographic watch faces have gained new styles and customization options. The Numerals face now offers additional font choices, size options, and color selections to match personal aesthetics.
Users can choose between traditional and modern numeral styles, with special attention to readability in various lighting conditions. The iconography across all faces has been refined for better visibility on smaller displays.
Custom monograms now support multi-character options, giving users more personalization possibilities. Apple has also added new symbol sets that can be incorporated into various watch faces.
The color-matching system intelligently coordinates with bands and outfits, creating a cohesive look. Dynamic color shifts throughout the day provide subtle visual changes that keep the watch face feeling fresh and appropriate for different contexts.
Connectivity and Ecosystem
Apple Watch connectivity continues to evolve as the device becomes more independent while still maintaining strong ties to the broader Apple ecosystem. The integration between Apple devices creates a seamless experience for users who own multiple Apple products.
Apple Watch and iPads
The relationship between Apple Watch and iPad has strengthened in recent updates. Users can now unlock their iPads using their Apple Watch, similar to the Mac unlock feature that has been available for several years. This feature works when both devices are signed into the same Apple ID.
Watch faces can now be customized using the larger iPad screen, giving users more precision when selecting complications and color schemes. The iPad’s display makes it easier to see small details that might be difficult to adjust on an iPhone.
Health data synchronization between Apple Watch and iPad has improved, allowing users to view detailed health metrics on the iPad’s larger screen. This is particularly useful for analyzing sleep patterns, ECG results, and workout statistics.
Some rumors suggest Apple is working on allowing iPad apps to push more advanced notifications to Apple Watch, enhancing the connection between these devices beyond the current capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple Watch users often have questions about watch faces, especially after recent updates. Below are answers to common questions about getting, using, and understanding Apple Watch face options.
How can one acquire the latest Apple Watch faces?
Users can get the latest Apple Watch faces by keeping their device’s software up to date. Going to Settings > General > Software Update on the paired iPhone ensures the watch receives the newest watchOS version.
Apple regularly includes new watch face designs with major watchOS updates. Sometimes special faces are released for events or holidays.
To add a new watch face, users can press firmly on the current face, swipe left until reaching the “New” option, and then scroll through available designs.
What are the top-rated new Apple Watch faces available now?
The Portraits face remains highly rated, allowing users to showcase photos with a depth effect. The photo subjects appear to float in front of the time.
The Modular face continues to be popular for its information density, allowing users to see multiple complications at once.
The Snoopy face has gained significant popularity for its playful animations that react to time of day and weather conditions.
How can users legally download new Apple Watch faces for free?
Apple Watch faces cannot be downloaded from third-party sources. All official faces come pre-installed with watchOS or through updates.
Users can, however, customize existing faces with complications from downloaded apps. These add functionality while maintaining the official face design.
Apple does not support an app store specifically for watch faces, so beware of apps claiming to offer downloadable faces.
Which new Apple Watch faces have been released in the most recent update?
Recent updates have introduced several new face options including enhanced customization for the Photos face. This allows for better integration with portrait mode pictures.
The Palette face offers vibrant color options that shift throughout the day. Users can select color schemes that match their mood or outfit.
Weather-responsive faces have also been added, displaying different visuals based on current conditions in the user’s location.
Are legacy Apple Watch faces still accessible with new updates?
Most legacy faces remain available after updates, though some older designs may be phased out. Based on search results, some users have reported certain faces being removed.
Users concerned about losing favorite faces should check compatibility before updating. Apple typically details any removed features in update notes.
According to search results, some users expressed frustration about certain watch faces being removed, suggesting Apple makes these decisions based on usage data.
How frequently does Apple release updates with new watch faces?
Apple typically releases major watchOS updates annually in September, which often include new watch faces. These coincide with the release of new Apple Watch models.
Minor updates throughout the year occasionally add seasonal or special event faces. These might celebrate holidays or partnerships with brands.
Some faces appear as exclusives for newer Apple Watch models, leveraging specific hardware capabilities like larger screens or advanced sensors.
