Apple is testing a revamped lineup of watch faces for its upcoming watchOS 27 update, including a streamlined version of the Modular Ultra design that could finally bring the Ultra aesthetic to standard Apple Watch models, according to a new report.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, in his latest Power On newsletter, reveals that the company is evaluating multiple new faces under the internal codename “Orchid.” The most notable is described as a “simplified take” on the Modular Ultra face currently exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra.
“It has the same large clock as the Ultra face but removes the option for a big complication in the center, the row of three smaller complications above the time, and information placed around the bezel,” Gurman writes. “The result is a large clock that fills the top two-thirds of the display, with a row of three smaller complications beneath it.” He believes the move is intended to bring the Ultra look — known for its data density — to standard Series watches in a less cluttered form while still offering useful at-a-glance information.
Background
Since its launch in 2022, the Apple Watch Ultra has featured the Modular Ultra watch face, which packs up to seven complications and six layout options for the time display. With training bezels showing Vitals and load data, it is widely considered the most information-dense face Apple offers. However, it has remained exclusive to the larger, rugged Ultra models, leaving Series users without a similar high-density option.
watchOS 27, expected to debut at WWDC this June, marks a major software cycle for Apple Watch. Separately, Gurman reported last week that a smaller intermediate update — watchOS 26.5 — will include a Pride Luminance watch face and wallpaper, set to launch within weeks.
What This Means
For Apple Watch owners with standard Series models, the new simplified Modular Ultra face could offer a meaningful upgrade in glanceability without overwhelming the display. By removing the central complication and bezel elements, the face becomes cleaner and easier to read, while still providing key metrics like weather, activity rings, or upcoming events in a row of three complications below the oversized clock.
The change signals Apple’s willingness to extend premium features across its product lineup, potentially narrowing the differentiation between Ultra and non-Ultra watches. However, the simplified design may also disappoint power users who expect the full array of complications. For now, Gurman’s reporting suggests the face is still in testing, and final details could shift before watchOS 27 releases to the public this fall.