Apple Files Several Unreleased Apple Watch and iPhone Models in Eurasian Database

[Oohara]

Would it though? I personally don't see any hardware area where the S4 critically needs an update. Yes, a larger battery would be nice, but the S4 SoC seems to have all the power it needs for the moment and the new screen sizes seem to be generally well-received.

Jason Snell just posted an opinion piece on Macworld noting he feels Apple does not need to release a Series 5 watch next month and I am in agreement with him.

I certainly am not in the market to replace my Series 4 and I would not be surprised if most felt the same. I understand those on an earlier Series who skipped S4 would prefer to go to an S5 rather than get an S4 now and have "lost" a year should a fundamentally better S5 come out in Late 2020 (which I kind of don't see happening - I see the S5 being a refinement of the S4 as the S3 was to the S2).

Offering a ceramic Watch Edition S4 would offer an upgrade path for those with S2 or S3 Watch Editions who are now multiple years on their current watch, so that makes sense. And titanium might appeal to those on earlier Series who would like something more durable than aluminum, but do not like the weight of stainless steel.

I'm dying to get roaming on Apple Watches. The only thing keeping me from getting the cellular version of the S4 at the moment is that I travel frequently between European countries and I wouldn't be able to receive the cell signal in more than one country. I'm assuming that enabling roaming would require an upgraded radio and a battery capacity increase to match. I'd kill for a S4 hardware upgrade which included this but they'd probably save it for S5 to make an extra buck. My hunch is it'll take another couple of years for them to move to this though.

 

[fokmik]

Im ready for the 3200mah iPhone 11 and one new ipad pro please, and that 16" MBP, and maybe the mac pro but not with that 580X but vega
Come on

 

[xraydoc]

Interesting. My assumption was that the model number also took in to consideration the material, but looking at previous model numbers it does not. There are no different model numbers for Aluminum vs Stainless steal for previous models. The model numbers at least recently depicted Cellular vs Not and region. Assuming the same this year I would expect the 4 new models to simply be

Series 5:-

A2156 40mm North America
A2157 44mm North America
A2092 40mm Europe, Asia, Pacfici, China
A2093 44mm Europe, Asia, Pacfici, China

All 4 of these models will presumably be available in Aluminum, Stainless steel and now Ceramic and Titanium. I also assume this year every watch will come with Cellular/GPS.

Interesting thought. Perhaps this is the case.

 

[Tiltasauras]

Not true the same model numbers were used for Aluminum and Stainless Steel for Series 4.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204507#series4

40mm case (Model: A1975 North America, A2007 Europe, Asia Pacific, and China mainland)
44mm case (Model: A1976 North America, A2008 Europe, Asia Pacific, and China mainland)

They only differed between GPS and GPS + Cellular.

Sweet! I've never been so happy to be wrong! lol.

 

[jaybar]

All of this is pure conjecture! We will know when it is announced.

Since I purchased a SBSS series 4 with ML in February of this year, I doubt there will be enough reason to upgrade.

I am marginally interested in the ceramic depending on price and my possible reaction to ceramic (prone to wrist rashes). So far, I have had no adverse reactions to the SBSS ML, so I am cautious about the ceramic.

 

[Analog Kid]

There was just the one rumor of ceramic and titanium, right? Interesting that everyone seems to assume we’ll see ceramic and titanium, rather than ceramic or titanium...

I would have considered a series 5, but if this year is a bust I’m actually happier saving the money for another year. My S3 cellular is doing just fine... I can’t think of anything more I’d want. Always on display would be nice, but I’ve kind of given up on that...

 

[CWallace]

There was just the one rumor of ceramic and titanium, right? Interesting that everyone seems to assume we’ll see ceramic and titanium, rather than ceramic or titanium...

The rumor is based on code within WatchOS 6, so it's pretty concrete (excuse the materials pun) that both materials will launch next month in an Apple Watch (be it Series 4 or 5).

 

[AZMecha]

Well, the question remains to upgrade or not to upgrade????

I went from S2 > S4 LTE 44'' and I'm completely happy with it.

As Seems I was more worried about banging it up outside or workouts aluminum has been good no real scratches so kinda glad I didn't get the stainless steel and then have to upgrade in 18 months for that cost...

 

[jonblatho]

Do you think they would call it a Series 4S or something similar? I just don't see this happening since it breaks the trend (albeit the "Series" trend came out of nowhere too). I'm honestly 99% set on upgrading from my Series 2 regardless of features, just to ensure I have the higher resale value of the new "5" vs. the 4.

I'll take any additional health features, any minimal increase in battery life, and faster CPU performance.

I'd bet that it's just new casing materials, just like what happened in September 2015 with the first-generation Watch which had shipped that April. Still Series 4, and for the models that continue past this refresh, otherwise indistinguishable.

 

[apolloa]

Good as I need a cheaper S4 Watch, need the ECG monitor.. unless the S5 one is better of course.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

Sounds like I might be holding onto my S4 this year (and my iPhone from last year)

 

[UltimaKilo]

I think that's what is going to happen.

What exactly do you want in Series 5? The 4 was a huge upgrade and outside of battery life (Apple seems fine with 18 hours) and always on display (I've finally stopped caring about this).

Looks like Series 4 till 2020 with new case options and bands of course. I'm more excited to find out the pricing for the Ceramic and Titanium versions.

Honestly, the Series 4 was an upgrade, yes, but not big enough for anyone with a Series 2 or 3 to upgrade.

Things I want to see:

Faster, more efficient processor (snappier with a better battery life, say 10-15%)

Improved health sensors for better accuracy when exercising

Sleep tracking

Improved altimeter

 

[007p]

Given that the stainless steel model doesn't have a non cellular option - I don't actually see it unlikely that apple extends this further and makes all models cellular only.

 

[Woodcrest64]

If Apple can improve the battery life and speed up charging to make sleep tracking more practical that would be great for me.