The Short Version
Reports say Apple Watch Series 12 will launch in September 2025 with Touch ID in the side button, an S11 chip adding 1-2 hours of battery life, and the same design as Series 10 and 11.
Touch ID on Apple Watch is not coming in 2026. A leaker on Weibo called earlier rumors 'completely false,' saying a fingerprint sensor would shrink battery space and cost too much to justify. Apple apparently tested the idea, and code spotted last August hinted it was real, but the company walked away. The Series 12 gets a bigger battery instead.