Features specific to Watch 6

[pasadena]

So I was trying to understand which feature will come through WatchOS 7 and which is hardware-related and specific to Watch S6.

So the Blood Oxygen and always-on altimeter are clearly hardware-related with a new sensor. Same for improvements like screen brightness.

But I'm thinking that the sleep tracking and customizable fitness goals (FINALLY) are part of WatchOS and will be available on Watch S5, right?

Anything else?

[Edit]
See this great comment by @canyonbly737 for details on hardware-specific updates.

 

[shenfrey]

Correct. Also, the Always On Display is 2.5x brighter, meaning it will pretty much look like it does when you tap the display.

 

[Brien]

I want to see a teardown so we’ll know why they axed force touch HW.

 

[andysw9]

S6 supports 5GHz wifi, so I’ll finally be able to shut down my 2.4GHz network. Yay!

 

[pasadena]

S6 supports 5GHz wifi, so I’ll finally be able to shut down my 2.4GHz network. Yay!

That's a good one that I missed.

 

[pasadena]

Edited to add the support for 5GHz wifi and the U1 chip in S6

 

[anticipate]

Also, you can interact with watch when it isn't in active mode; you had to turn it on before with a tap. “Always-on access. Swipe down for Notification Center, swipe up for Control Center, or tap complications in the wrist‑down state. No need to wake your watch for simple interactions when you’re in a meeting or otherwise occupied”. Thank God

EDIT - this is not hardware specific. I just installed WatchOS 7 GM on my watch (which had been running the beta throughout) and new stuff is unlocked - like all the new faces... and this new "no need to tap" mode. That is not specific to the 6.

 

[Six Mac Abs]

Also, you can interact with watch when it isn't in active mode; you had to turn it on before with a tap. “Always-on access. Swipe down for Notification Center, swipe up for Control Center, or tap complications in the wrist‑down state. No need to wake your watch for simple interactions when you’re in a meeting or otherwise occupied”. Thank God

This actually sounds like a feature I'd upgrade for! I wonder if Siri is always listening now too? I hate that I have to raise my wrist to my face as if I'm looking at the time before I say 'hey Siri'.

Also, do the cellular models have 5G?

 

[Skika]

This actually sounds like a feature I'd upgrade for! I wonder if Siri is always listening now too? I hate that I have to raise my wrist to my face as if I'm looking at the time before I say 'hey Siri'.

Also, do the cellular models have 5G?

it barely got 5ghz wifi, 5g cellular on a watch dear god my man.

 

[anticipate]

This actually sounds like a feature I'd upgrade for! I wonder if Siri is always listening now too? I hate that I have to raise my wrist to my face as if I'm looking at the time before I say 'hey Siri'.

Also, do the cellular models have 5G?

See my edit - it is win Watch OS 7 GM. It works on series 5 too.

 

[vtboyarc]

20% faster charging

 

[canyonblue737]

Here are features unique to Series 6:

1. U1 Ultrawide band chip (for tracking physical position of iPhone 11 and on, as well as the forth coming AirTag tracking devices.)

2. S6 processor with 20% faster speeds.

3. 5ghz wi-fi.

4. Always on altimeter.

5. 2.5x brighter always on screen when outdoors (I bet it is the same screen but battery changes and processor power savings on the S6 chip likely allow it to be brighter without losing all day battery life).

6. Blood Oxygen sensor.

7. 20% faster charging. (I bet it doesn't actually have something that makes it charge faster instead maybe it sips power compared to the older S5 chip allowing it to use a smaller battery that takes less time to charge? i'm sure a teardown will reveal all soon.)

This update is a great update because it represents the final polish on the Series 4 generation of design in my opinion, just like the Series 3 was the pinnacle of the first Apple Watch generation. I fully expect a significant update next year with case changes (it will still be square! always!) and other large new features as the NEXT generation of Apple Watch starts in 2021.

 

[deeddawg]

Great info here...

Now for what real world benefits do those features provide?

In my case I'm unclear on what benefits I'd gain from #6, I've rarely wished for the AOD to be brighter (#5), I don't currently do anything where I've wished I had #4, I have other 2.4GHz devices so not seeing a substantial benefit from #3, IMHO the 20% speed bump of #2 would be just noticeable and a charging speed increase won't matter in my usage, subject to individual apps, and I'm not really clear on real world benefits for #1.

That's me. Curious how those apply to others.

 

[pasadena]

Also, you can interact with watch when it isn't in active mode; you had to turn it on before with a tap. “Always-on access. Swipe down for Notification Center, swipe up for Control Center, or tap complications in the wrist‑down state. No need to wake your watch for simple interactions when you’re in a meeting or otherwise occupied”. Thank God

EDIT - this is not hardware specific. I just installed WatchOS 7 GM on my watch (which had been running the beta throughout) and new stuff is unlocked - like all the new faces... and this new "no need to tap" mode. That is not specific to the 6.

That is great news. I hate having to tap the thing to wake it up more often than not.

 

[canyonblue737]

Great info here...

Now for what real world benefits do those features provide?

In my case I'm unclear on what benefits I'd gain from #6, I've rarely wished for the AOD to be brighter (#5), I don't currently do anything where I've wished I had #4, I have other 2.4GHz devices so not seeing a substantial benefit from #3, IMHO the 20% speed bump of #2 would be just noticeable and a charging speed increase won't matter in my usage, subject to individual apps, and I'm not really clear on real world benefits for #1.

That's me. Curious how those apply to others.

ultrawide band chips are slowly being added to all apple mobile device (now the watch too) along with a new product called airtags (launching next month). the chips do a few things... they talk to any other device that has the same chip using very, very little energy even if NOT your devices (but with your identity hidden) therby letting other people's devices help you find yours. basically if you lose lets say your watch there is a chance someone else's watch or iphone will "see it" and let you know where it is without it needing to be cellular. the second thing these chips do is give you specific direction finding to other devices with the chip. for example if your watch is between the sofa cushions your iphone will not only let you know they are close they literally will point you to the sofa in the room, even likely overlaying a target on the image of the room... this can be added to things like a wallet, car keys whatever with the forthcoming apple tags. its gonna be cool!

 

[pasadena]

Here are features unique to Series 6:

1. U1 Ultrawide band chip (for tracking physical position of iPhone 11 and on, as well as the forth coming AirTag tracking devices.)
AFAIK, this chip is not being used yet. Curious to see the applications when they come. Maybe *that* will change my mind at that time.

2. S6 processor with 20% faster speeds.
OK. Fair.

3. 5ghz wi-fi.
That's a nice one. For me though, the watch is unfortunately not the only device that I have that doesn't support it, so it won't help at this time. If it was, I would - maybe - upgrade just to get rid of my 2.4GHz wifi!

4. Always on altimeter.
No use for me but I can see how that'd be useful.

5. 2.5x brighter always on screen when outdoors (I bet it is the same screen but battery changes and processor power savings on the S6 chip likely allow it to be brighter without losing all day battery life).
I have honestly never, ever, felt like it wasn't bright enough

6. Blood Oxygen sensor.
So that one is interesting. Or it would be if it was always-on, with history and alerts, like the HRM. I didn't see that it was when I watched the video, admittedly with only one eye. Seemed more like the ECG, an app that you have to fire up when you want to perform the check?

7. The new faces shown at the event are unique to the S6 (silly I know) based on the WatchOS 7 GM released today not having them.
Hmmm.

8. 20% faster charging. (I bet it doesn't actually have something that makes it charge faster instead maybe it sips power compared to the S5 chip allowing it to use a smaller battery that takes less time to charge? i'm sure a teardown will reveal all soon.)
That one is great. I could use that.

This update is a great update because it represents the final polish on the Series 4 generation of design in my opinion, just like the Series 3 was the pinnacle of the first Apple Watch generation. I fully expect a significant update next year with case changes (it will still be square! always!) and other large new features as the NEXT generation of Apple Watch starts in 2021.

Thanks that's super helpful. I added my own comments inline. It's very personal, obviously, we all have different needs and opinions, but basically, I'm more excited by WatchOS 7 than by the Watch S6.

The only things that I would actually find useful at this time are the oximeter, and the faster charging. If I did upgrade, I would go with the Titanium and trade my Titanium S5 in, so it would cost $660 with tax. That's a lot of money for the convenience of faster charging, and an oximeter function that is not always-on, so does the same thing as the one I got in March for $20. That said, it's still great that they included it, which should be extremely useful in these Covid times.

I don't think it's worth upgrading from an S5. I would definitely upgrade from a S3 or S4, though.

 

[deeddawg]

ultrawide band chips are slowly being added to all apple mobile device (now the watch too) along with a new product called airtags (launching next month). the chips do a few things... they talk to any other device that has the same chip using very, very little energy even if NOT your devices (but with your identity hidden) therby letting other people's devices help you find yours. basically if you lose lets say your watch there is a chance someone else's watch or iphone will "see it" and let you know where it is without it needing to be cellular. the second thing these chips do is give you specific direction finding to other devices with the chip. for example if your watch is between the sofa cushions your iphone will not only let you know they are close they literally will point you to the sofa in the room, even likely overlaying a target on the image of the room... this can be added to things like a wallet, car keys whatever with the forthcoming apple tags. its gonna be cool!

Good info. Thanks.

I very rarely misremember where I've set something, so not a big benefit for me -- but definitely see the advantage for others.

 

[canyonblue737]

Great info here...

Now for what real world benefits do those features provide?

In my case I'm unclear on what benefits I'd gain from #6, I've rarely wished for the AOD to be brighter (#5), I don't currently do anything where I've wished I had #4, I have other 2.4GHz devices so not seeing a substantial benefit from #3, IMHO the 20% speed bump of #2 would be just noticeable and a charging speed increase won't matter in my usage, subject to individual apps, and I'm not really clear on real world benefits for #1.

That's me. Curious how those apply to others.

I agree overall. There just isn't much here for Series 5 users, the blood oxygen level monitoring is ok but you can buy a pulse oximeter at the drugstore for $25 to do the same exact thing (and i highly recommend doing so in preparation if you get covid-19 to determine when your o2 levels drop to a level that would require going to a hospital for observation or treatment.) pretty much everything on the Series 6 is the final bit of polish on what started with the Series 4 and I fully expect the next major update (including the 3rd case design in the apple watch history) next year with the Series 7. For me as an S4 user I'm going to upgrade to get the AOD, a fresh battery, and the other nice to have features of the S5 and S6 gens. I know I'll likely upgrade again next year...

 

[Kylo83]

20% faster charging

We what charger do you need a higher watt charger

 

[QCassidy352]

Here are features unique to Series 6:

1. U1 Ultrawide band chip (for tracking physical position of iPhone 11 and on, as well as the forth coming AirTag tracking devices.)

2. S6 processor with 20% faster speeds.

3. 5ghz wi-fi.

4. Always on altimeter.

5. 2.5x brighter always on screen when outdoors (I bet it is the same screen but battery changes and processor power savings on the S6 chip likely allow it to be brighter without losing all day battery life).

6. Blood Oxygen sensor.

7. The new faces shown at the event are unique to the S6 (silly I know) based on the WatchOS 7 GM released today not having them.

8. 20% faster charging. (I bet it doesn't actually have something that makes it charge faster instead maybe it sips power compared to the older S5 chip allowing it to use a smaller battery that takes less time to charge? i'm sure a teardown will reveal all soon.)

This update is a great update because it represents the final polish on the Series 4 generation of design in my opinion, just like the Series 3 was the pinnacle of the first Apple Watch generation. I fully expect a significant update next year with case changes (it will still be square! always!) and other large new features as the NEXT generation of Apple Watch starts in 2021.

Thanks for this post. I’m also attaching here a screen cap of this slide from the keynote, which flashed on and off the screen really fast. doesn’t show anything else new that I can see.

 

[fatlardo]

There was no battery life increase?

 

[Kylo83]

Still cant delete all messages in one go and iCloud messaging doesn’t sync to the watch, im sticking with series 4 these 2 years haven’t excited me, I wanted slimmer bezels on the watch

 

[pasadena]

I agree overall. There just isn't much here for Series 5 users, the blood oxygen level monitoring is ok but you can buy a pulse oximeter at the drugstore for $25 to do the same exact thing (and i highly recommend doing so in preparation if you get covid-19 to determine when your o2 levels drop to a level that would require going to a hospital for observation or treatment.) pretty much everything on the Series 6 is the final bit of polish on what started with the Series 4 and I fully expect the next major update (including the 3rd case design in the apple watch history) next year with the Series 7. For me as an S4 user I'm going to upgrade to get the AOD, a fresh battery, and the other nice to have features of the S5 and S6 gens. I know I'll likely upgrade again next year...

Exactly where I'm at! I'll wait for the S7, and just saved $660 lol.

 

[Apple_Robert]

S6 supports 5GHz wifi, so I’ll finally be able to shut down my 2.4GHz network. Yay!

Never mind. I see it now. I missed it earlier on Apple’s site. Thanks for mentioning this. It is one of the things I was wanting.

 

[deeddawg]

For me as an S4 user I'm going to upgrade to get the AOD, a fresh battery, and the other nice to have features of the S5 and S6 gens. I know I'll likely upgrade again next year...

Last year as an S4 owner I wasn't going to upgrade until I got to thinking about AOD -- which solved the only real annoyance I had with Apple Watch. Going from SBSS S4 to SBSS S5 wasn't inexpensive, but in retrospect it was 100% worthwhile to me. I've really enjoyed the AOD feature. Just wish more apps worked with it, but the core Apple stuff does and that's okay.