Apple updates its products on a rhythm. See how long each model has been on sale, how long its predecessors lasted, and whether it's a good time to buy.
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Wearables models
Apple Watch Series 12
Buy NowRecently updated — the newest model, with a long wait until the next one. On sale for 25 days of a usual 12 mo cycle.(Just Updated)
Apple's mainstream smartwatch, powered by the S11 chip with a new Health Sensing System for more frequent heart rate and HRV readings, plus new Audio Intelligence features.
Apple Watch Series 12Sep 18, 2026
25 days25 d
Apple Watch Series 11Sep 19, 2025
12 mo364 d
Apple Watch Series 10Sep 20, 2024
12 mo364 d
Apple Watch Series 9Sep 22, 2023
12 mo364 d
Apple Watch Series 8Sep 16, 2022
12 mo371 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
12 mo360 d
Next update expected ~Sep 2027
Apple Watch SE
NeutralHalfway through its cycle — fine to buy, but the next model is not far off. On sale for 13 mo of a usual 2.5 yr cycle.(Mid-Product Cycle)
The most affordable Apple Watch, with the S10 chip, an always-on display, fast charging and sleep score.
Apple Watch SE 3Sep 19, 2025
13 mo389 d
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)Sep 16, 2022
3 yr1,099 d
Apple Watch SE (1st generation)Sep 18, 2020
24 mo728 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
2.5 yr914 d
Next update expected ~Mar 2028
Apple Watch Ultra
Buy NowRecently updated — the newest model, with a long wait until the next one. On sale for 25 days of a usual 12 mo cycle.(Just Updated)
The rugged, longest-lasting Apple Watch, with the S11 chip, up to 50 hours of battery life and the new Health Sensing System.
Apple Watch Ultra 4Sep 18, 2026
25 days25 d
Apple Watch Ultra 3Sep 19, 2025
12 mo364 d
Apple Watch Ultra 2Sep 22, 2023
24 mo728 d
Apple Watch UltraSep 23, 2022
12 mo364 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
16 mo485 d
Next update expected ~Sep 2027
AirPods 5
Buy NowRecently updated — the newest model, with a long wait until the next one. On sale for 25 days of a usual 2.4 yr cycle.(Just Updated)
The standard AirPods, now with Active Noise Cancellation on both models, 50% more noise reduction than AirPods 4, Live Translation and the H2 chip.
AirPods 5Sep 18, 2026
25 days25 d
AirPods 4Sep 20, 2024
24 mo728 d
AirPods (3rd generation)Oct 26, 2021
2.9 yr1,060 d
AirPods (2nd generation)Mar 20, 2019
2.6 yr951 d
AirPods (1st generation)Dec 19, 2016
2.2 yr821 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
2.4 yr890 d
Next update expected ~Feb 2029
AirPods Pro 3
NeutralHalfway through its cycle — fine to buy, but the next model is not far off. On sale for 13 mo of a usual 2.9 yr cycle.(Mid-Product Cycle)
Apple's premium earbuds, with the H2 chip, up to twice the noise cancellation of AirPods Pro 2, heart-rate sensing and Live Translation.
AirPods Pro 3Sep 19, 2025
13 mo389 d
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)Sep 23, 2022
3 yr1,092 d
AirPods Pro (1st generation)Oct 30, 2019
2.9 yr1,059 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
2.9 yr1,076 d
Next update expected ~Aug 2028
AirPods Max
Buy NowRecently updated — the newest model, with a long wait until the next one. On sale for 6 mo of a usual 2.6 yr cycle.(Just Updated)
Apple's over-ear headphones. AirPods Max 2 add the H2 chip, up to 1.5x more effective noise cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Live Translation and lossless audio over USB-C.
AirPods Max 2Apr 1, 2026
6 mo195 d
AirPods Max (USB-C)Sep 20, 2024
18 mo558 d
AirPods MaxDec 15, 2020
3.8 yr1,375 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
2.6 yr967 d
Next update expected ~Nov 2028
Apple Vision Pro
NeutralHalfway through its cycle — fine to buy, but the next model is not far off. On sale for 12 mo of a usual 21 mo cycle.(Mid-Product Cycle)
Apple's spatial computer, now with the M5 chip, 10% more pixels rendered, up to 120Hz refresh rate and the comfortable Dual Knit Band.
Apple Vision Pro (M5)Oct 22, 2025
12 mo356 d
Apple Vision ProFeb 2, 2024
21 mo628 d
Averageacross all previous cycles
21 mo628 d
Next update expected ~Jul 2027
In each timeline, the dashed outline is the expected length of the cycle and the colored bar is how much of it has passed. Grey bars are how long previous models lasted, and the blue Average bar is the mean of all past cycles.
How the Buyer's Guide works
How does the Buyer's Guide decide when to buy?
Apple updates most products on a fairly regular schedule. For each product we measure how long the previous models took to arrive, then compare that cycle with how long the current model has been on sale. A recently released model is a safe buy; one that has gone most of its usual cycle is likely to be replaced soon.
What do the release dates mean?
Dates are when each model first went on sale, not when it was announced, so they can be a few days after Apple's event.
Is the recommendation always right?
No. It is based on past release patterns, not on inside information. Apple sometimes skips or delays a generation, so treat it as a guide. When we know something the cycle can't, such as a confirmed launch date, we override the automatic result.
Want to know which software version a device supports? Try Can I Update?
