Apple Watch users are diving into the latest watchOS 11, whether it’s through an update on their existing devices or pre-installed on their brand new Apple Watch Series 10 or the sleek black Apple Watch Ultra 2. While this update boasts a plethora of new features, it also comes with some surprising omissions. Four watch faces – Chronograph, Explorer, Numerals, and Siri – have been removed from watchOS 11. While the removal of the Siri face makes sense, given the introduction of the Smart Stack feature, the disappearance of the other faces is perplexing. The Chronograph face, a staple since the first Apple Watch launched a decade ago, had co-existed with the Chronograph Pro face since watchOS 7. The Explorer face, designed for LTE-enabled Apple Watches and introduced with the Series 3, offered a quick view of cellular network strength. However, the removal of the Numerals face is the most baffling. This face, featuring numerical hour markers behind analog hands, provided minimal customization options, making its removal particularly puzzling. Apple has yet to publicly explain the reasoning behind the removal of these watch faces. This is the first instance of existing watch faces being eliminated from the wearable device. To compensate, watchOS 11 introduces three new watch faces: Photos, Flux, and Reflections. The Photos face leverages machine learning to recommend the best photo options based on aesthetics, composition, and facial expressions. It also includes a Dynamic mode that displays a different image every time you raise your wrist. The dynamic Flux face, with its scrolling time and colorful displays, offers a visually engaging experience. Finally, the Reflections face features animations and ripple effects that respond to your wrist movements. Beyond the new and removed watch faces, watchOS 11 brings an array of other updates, including a dedicated Vitals health app, a Translate app, and enhancements to the Workout, Activity, and Home apps. This update certainly packs a punch, but the absence of those four beloved watch faces remains a topic of debate. Perhaps Apple will provide further clarification in the future, but for now, the mystery surrounding the removal of these faces adds an intriguing twist to the watchOS 11 experience.
Apple Watch watchOS 11: New Faces, Missing Faces, and More
