Apple introduced its latest Pride Collection Monday. It includes a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Sport Loop, a matching watch face and complementary iPhone and iPad wallpapers. The iPhone giant timed the release to celebrate Pride Month in June and LGBTQ+ communities year-round.
The reception online so far seems positive, if not jubilant.
“Omg they did such a good job with them for once,” one user wrote.
Apple 2026 Pride Collection
Apple showcased its new 2026 Pride Collection in a press release with images and descriptions. This year the collection includes a new Apple Watch Sport Loop band, a new watch face and iPhone and iPad wallpapers. For a glance at all Pride releases, Basic Apple Guy provided a graphical timeline going back to 2016, when Apple offered just a watch band to employees.
Apple Watch Pride Band History pic.twitter.com/IFO2ghe4QG
— Basic Apple Guy (@BasicAppleGuy) May 4, 2026
The new Sport Loop
The centerpiece of the collection is the Pride Edition Sport Loop. The new band is available to order now at apple.com and in the Apple Store app. In-store availability at Apple retail locations begins later this week. Priced at $49, the band will also come to Apple Authorized Resellers.
The loop weaves 11 colors of nylon yarn in a design blending one hue seamlessly into the next. It creates a sense of depth and movement across the band. Apple describes the result as joyful and vibrant, intended to reflect the spectrum of identities within LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. The band is available in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes to fit the full current Apple Watch lineup.
Photo: Apple
Pride Luminance watch face
Alongside the band, Apple introduced the Pride Luminance watch face. It’s designed to complement the Sport Loop with colors that refract dynamically on screen.
The face comes in two geometric layouts:
- A radial pattern, where rays of color align with the hour markers around the dial.
- A vertical pattern, which echoes the linear stripe weaving of the band itself.
Users can further personalize the face by choosing from additional color options. That allows for a more individual expression. The watch face will be available to add from the watch face gallery once watchOS 26.5 is released.
Matching iPhone and iPad wallpapers
Rounding out the collection are new iPhone and iPad wallpapers carrying the same dynamic, colorful aesthetic.
Like the watch face, these wallpapers offer customizable color options and will be available through the wallpaper gallery following the release of iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5.
Apple’s broader support for LGBTQ+ communities
Omg they did such a good job with them for once https://t.co/9Q0r4T1TSL
— tom (@uncreativetom) May 4, 2026
Apple noted that it financially supports organizations serving LGBTQ+ communities as part of its broader commitment alongside the annual Pride Collection.
The company has released a Pride Edition band and accompanying software customizations each year as a visible expression of that commitment.
The Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order at apple.com. Software features tied to the collection will roll out with the upcoming watchOS 26.5, iOS 26.5, and iPadOS 26.5 updates.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
