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The code of the fifth iOS 27 beta contains the names of nine colors that the Apple Watch's modular watch face is slated to receive this fall. The colors themselves aren't visible yet—only their names. And they sound less like marketing hype and more like a workshop note.
Apple has been distributing the fifth beta of iOS 27 to developers since August 10th. Among other things, it brought new app icons, expanded voice settings, and several minor changes, which we've compiled in our overview of all the new features in Beta 5. However, the latest discovery doesn't concern the iPhone, but rather the Apple Watch: The beta's data set contains the names of nine color variations for the Modular watch face. These surfaced thanks to MacRumors analyst Aaron Perris, who since 2021 has been scouring Apple firmware and backends for features not listed in any changelog.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The code for iOS 27 Beta 5 contains nine previously unknown color names for the modular watch face of the Apple Watch.
- No preview images are included – the build only contains the names.
- The names are English descriptions such as "Warm Taupe" or "Flat Sage Green" and are unlikely to be the final names.
- The color tones could also hint at the bracelet palette of the autumn collection.
- Watch face colors are available in Germany and Austria without restrictions – unlike the AI innovations of watchOS 27.
Nine color names, no pictures
Modular watch faces have been among the most popular for years because they can accommodate many complications simultaneously and offer color customization. This customization is precisely what the new version focuses on: nine additional tones are included in the beta version, although a preview is not yet available.
Perris published the list on X. The labels are simply strings from the build, not official product names – the following German column describes the color direction and is not from Apple.
| Designation in the code | Color direction |
|---|---|
| Cool Slate Blue-Gray | cool slate blue-grey |
| Dusty Rose | muted dusty rose |
| Flat Sage Green | matte sage green |
| Muted Navy Blue | muted navy blue |
| Pale Mint Green | pale mint green |
| Soft Periwinkle Blue | light blue-violet |
| Soft Pink | soft pink |
| Warm Cream | warm creamy white |
| Warm Taupe | warm grey-brown |
The way the names are structured is striking. "Cool Slate Blue-Gray" is a technical description, not a term Apple would use on a product page – there, colors are simply called Sage, Denim, or Midnight. The nine strings of characters are therefore likely internal placeholders, whose final names will only be determined with the release this fall.
Why an iPhone beta reveals the watch
It's no coincidence that an iOS build provides information about watchOS. Watch faces are largely set up, customized, and shared via the Watch app on the iPhone – therefore, the associated resources reside within the iPhone system.
For reporting purposes, this means that anyone dissecting the iOS beta regularly discovers watchOS innovations before they appear on the watch itself. This latest find joins a series of code discoveries that characterize this beta cycle.
Two separate projects centered around Modular
It's important to distinguish this from a second project. Mark Gurman reported in the spring that Apple was planning a new watch face, based on the Modular Ultra design previously reserved for the Ultra series, which would run on all Apple Watch models. This is a separate design project.
The current discovery, however, concerns color options. Whether they benefit the existing modular system, the announced new variant, or both, is not clear from the strings. The code mentions colors, but not their assignment.
Possible connection to the autumn collection
Apple traditionally coordinates watch face and band colors. The muted, pastel palette could therefore be an early look at the bands that will be released alongside the new watches.
The Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected this fall, though neither has a confirmed release date yet. Both are on the list of devices Apple is likely to unveil at its September event. The connection between the color names and watch bands is not confirmed – it is based on patterns from previous years.
Colors arrive everywhere, but AI functions don't
With watchOS 27, it's worth taking a look at which new features will actually be available on German wrists. Siri AI arrives on the Apple Watch for the first time with watchOS 27, but it doesn't perform its calculations on the watch itself, but rather on the paired iPhone. Because Apple isn't initially rolling out the new assistant on iPhones and iPads in the EU due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), it's also unavailable on the watch here – you can read more about this in our overview of features missing in the EU. The DMA doesn't apply in Switzerland, where Siri AI is available, though initially only in English.
Watch faces are not subject to such restrictions. If you use your Apple Watch in Germany or Austria, you'll receive the most visible part of this update in its entirety – while the most marketable part will be missing for now. This is more than just a minor point: For everyday use, the watch face is often what matters most, and those who want to explore its full potential will find further customization options in our Apple Watch tips.
When the new colors will appear
It will likely be some time before the tones become visible. Apple typically activates watch face innovations late in the beta cycle or only with the final version, which is scheduled for autumn. Until then, the nine names remain in a database – their existence confirmed, their effect unknown. (Image: Apple)
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