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Apple Watch series 5 - what can we expect and when?

I have been wondering, I think I read/heard/dreamed something about that they could change the color of the LED on the watch with software, and was wondering if a Series 5 watch, or maybe even WatchOS6 would have the capability of reading SPo2, either with existing hardware, or in perhaps a new watch series. Seems other companies have started to realize the importance of this, and kinda would like to see Apple follow suit. Anyone know/heard anything?
 
I'm guessing we'll get "Edition" models back maybe in titanium or something or a new material with better cell/sensors and processor bumps.
 
oeagleo said:
I have been wondering, I think I read/heard/dreamed something about that they could change the color of the LED on the watch with software, and was wondering if a Series 5 watch, or maybe even WatchOS6 would have the capability of reading SPo2, either with existing hardware, or in perhaps a new watch series. Seems other companies have started to realize the importance of this, and kinda would like to see Apple follow suit. Anyone know/heard anything?
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Excuse my ignorance - what do you mean by changing the colour of the LED?
 
techno-Zen said:
I'm guessing we'll get "Edition" models back maybe in titanium or something or a new material with better cell/sensors and processor bumps.
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I would happily welcome titanium, plenty durable and yet extremely lightweight. As much as I like the stainless, if Apple were to use titanium as a metal, (I’m assuming they would use some type of protective coating, like the PVD to help protect it from scratches). I don’t mind paying a premium for a product that still looks aesthetically pleasing, but yet isn’t too obtrusive on the wrist with weight either.
 
Akrapovic said:
Excuse my ignorance - what do you mean by changing the colour of the LED?
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I believe I read that they could make a "green" led change to "red" via software, by changing the code to reflect the color. I don't know enough about programming to be literate on this, but I do remember that in BASIC, you could change the color of a sprite to another color this way. However, that was many years ago, and today, it's much more complex.
 
oeagleo said:
I have been wondering, I think I read/heard/dreamed something about that they could change the color of the LED on the watch with software, and was wondering if a Series 5 watch, or maybe even WatchOS6 would have the capability of reading SPo2, either with existing hardware, or in perhaps a new watch series. Seems other companies have started to realize the importance of this, and kinda would like to see Apple follow suit. Anyone know/heard anything?
Click to expand...

According to this article, the hardware has been capable for some time. SPo2 has been sketchy in most watches up to now so Apple are probably waiting until more reliable results are possible through better tech.

https://www.cultofmac.com/320322/apple-watch-sensors-are-capable-of-measuring-blood-oxygen/
 
loybond said:
There's practically no information about the series 5, and not really any leaks from what I remember. I wonder if they'll even update the watch this year...
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Realistically, I’m not inclined to believe that there needs to be a new Apple Watch this year, now I know from a sales side point of view, Apple may refresh it in September, but I don’t see there being many new features. We’ve reached a point where the Apple Watch is mature enough where it could be released every 18 months versus every 12 months. And I’m also wondering how many consumers actually upgrade their Apple Watch every year? [Likely not that many.] The iPhone I can understand why it would be updated every year, but the Apple Watch if updated every 12 months, I question how much technology can they keep introducing to entice consumers to want to upgrade.
 
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I agree with you, it doesn't need a yearly update cycle. The iPad should be updated more often than the Watch I think.

Relentless Power said:
Realistically, I’m not inclined to believe that there needs to be a new Apple Watch this year, now I know from a sales side point of view, Apple may refresh it in September, but I don’t see there being many new features. We’ve reached a point where the Apple Watch is mature enough where it could be released every 18 months versus every 12 months. And I’m also wondering how many consumers actually upgrade their Apple Watch every year? [Likely not that many.] The iPhone I can understand why it would be updated every year, but the Apple Watch if updated every 12 months, I question how much technology can they keep introducing to entice consumers to want to upgrade.
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What, really, upgrades every year that you need upgraded every year? Annual upgrades are just an artificial construct based on our calendar and marketing.
 
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I agree that it only needs an 18 month cycle but that breaks the Christmas sales. It’s September so it can become a Christmas gift.

I have a S3 and don’t really need to replace it. I’d like an S4 for the screen but thats about it. Yes there are fitness features that can be added but I feel like apps like WorkOutDoors cover this anyway.

I’ll maybe get an S5, so I can move to a bigger screen? Or if the S4 comes down, I’ll buy a second hand one on eBay.
 
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I personally think annual upgrades are quite important for the Apple Watch. Not because users should upgrade every year – I'm still on my series 0, for example – but because customers will always feel reluctant to buy a piece of consumer electronics that has been on the market for more than 12 months. If you saw a smartphone or smartwatch that was released like 15 months ago, wouldn't you rather wait for the newer version?

Also, the current iPhone and iPad models are quite capable, and I firmly believe they will still feel quite fast and capable a couple years from now. With the Apple Watch, that's not the case. In 2019, we're still buying Apple Watches with a "slow" dual core CPU, maybe 0.768 GB RAM and 16 GB storage – these specs seem like they could be outdated by adding any amount of interesting features with the next update or two.
 
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Relentless Power said:
I would happily welcome titanium, plenty durable and yet extremely lightweight. As much as I like the stainless, if Apple were to use titanium as a metal, (I’m assuming they would use some type of protective coating, like the PVD to help protect it from scratches). I don’t mind paying a premium for a product that still looks aesthetically pleasing, but yet isn’t too obtrusive on the wrist with weight either.
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Titanium scratches very very easily so it would have to be painted to look good thus negating the light weight properties. Otherwise yes it is strong and light.
 
igrover said:
Titanium scratches very very easily so it would have to be painted to look good thus negating the light weight properties. Otherwise yes it is strong and light.
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Right, which is why I alluded to if Titanium can a PVD coating applied (In Similar fashion to the Gold stainless). Assuming it’s possible, I’d be on board considering that Model if it’s coated.

[On a side note:

Scratches are just a ‘right of passage’ with any watch worn on a wrist, Plus factoring it’s just a wearable/disposable device.]
 
I really hope they use the same bands . . . I have about as much money in bands as I have in my watch!
 
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I can't see the AW5 using a different case to the AW4. That'd be an expensive change for Supply Chain Tim. I imagine the AW5 using the same case and supporting the same bands as the AW4.
 
I really don't see much of a difference between AW4 and 5, mostly because of the major upgrade/change from AW3 to 4. However, I could see small additions, such SPo2, and/or Sleep tracking natively. Hard to say about processor, memory, and internals, perhaps a tweaking of the algorithms that calculate calories, GPS tracks, etc. But nothing major like the AW3->4 upgrade.
 
oeagleo said:
I really don't see much of a difference between AW4 and 5, mostly because of the major upgrade/change from AW3 to 4. However, I could see small additions, such SPo2, and/or Sleep tracking natively. Hard to say about processor, memory, and internals, perhaps a tweaking of the algorithms that calculate calories, GPS tracks, etc. But nothing major like the AW3->4 upgrade.
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I'm in the market for an apple watch (actually two, one for my elderly mom because of the health features and one for me). I would be happy if the AW5 is a incremental update with better battery life, sleep tracking and such. In terms of features I'm happy with what it does right now.
 
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I'm impressed that Apple has managed to hold back leaks of the Watch this year. All of the components are designed in house so it makes it easier to prevent third party leaks. Still, the design has to have been finalized by now and entering production in the next few weeks if it's going to be announced in early September and released later that month. I'd love a true surprise reveal for the new Watch.

That said, it's pretty clear that this is an iterative year for the Watch. Apple spent 3 years getting it slimmer and working on the new larger display. They're not going to change that again this year. As such, iterative changes would include a faster chip with better energy efficiency, allowing for longer battery life and perhaps adjustments in the health sensors that makes blood oxygen levels to be accurately measured and have the feature turned on in this series.

One area where they can improve on is in releasing accessories via the watch bands. Having made the Watch sufficiently fast and with a larger screen in Series 4, I can see band accessories being the major differentiator this year.

Another big news item would be if the Apple Watch Series 5 were fully autonomous. No iPhone required to set it up. That would open up the market for Android users.
 
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