New TAG Heuer Smartwatches Now 'Made for iPhone'

[MacRumors]

TAG Heuer today announced the Connected Calibre E5 smartwatch, now featuring "Made for iPhone" certification as the watchmaker abandons Google's Wear OS.

Three years after launching the Calibre E4, the Connected Calibre E5 comes in two case sizes: 45mm and a new, more compact 40mm. They are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 5100+. The 45mm model features a 1.39-inch AMOLED display, while the 40mm houses a 1.20-inch AMOLED display. Both include haptic feedback, enhanced brightness, and touch responsiveness.

Since its first smartwatch in 2015, TAG Heuer had relied on Google's Wear OS, but now it moves to its own, in-house platform. Developed by a team of 60 engineers in Paris, TAG Heuer OS introduces a more refined interface, new animations, and streamlined menus designed for faster navigation using both the touchscreen and mechanical pushers.

The most significant benefit of this transition is enhanced compatibility with Apple devices. The Calibre E5 is officially "Made for iPhone" (MFi) certified, part of Apple's hardware licensing program that ensures accessories and devices meet Apple's connectivity and software standards.

This certification guarantees better integration with iPhones, including faster pairing, more reliable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and consistent updates alongside iOS. It also ensures that key features like notifications, call handling, and health data synchronization operate seamlessly with the iPhone, an area where previous Wear OS models struggled. According to TAG Heuer, around 70% of its smartwatch users pair their devices with iPhones.

The watch retains a range of fitness and wellness capabilities, supported by an array of sensors on the case back for heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen levels (SpO2), heart rate variability, sleep tracking, breathing rate, and calorie counting. The device also includes a compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, and dual-band GNSS for enhanced GPS accuracy. The Calibre E5 does not support third-party apps, Google Pay, or LTE connectivity.

The Calibre E5 can handle voice calls directly through its integrated microphone and speaker. Users can also receive notifications, control music, and view fitness summaries via customizable widgets. TAG Heuer's wellness suite now includes new heart rate analysis tools, sleep monitoring, and an upgraded running app featuring a gamified pace tracker. The Golf Edition brings refined hole layout mapping, automatic shot detection, and access to more than 39,000 course maps.

TAG Heuer claims the 45mm model can last up to three days in low-power mode, or about two full days under regular use, while the 40mm version achieves up to two days or 1.5 days with the always-on display active. Fast charging provides a full day's power in 30–40 minutes, with a full charge achieved in 90 minutes via a redesigned USB-C charging dock.

The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 is available now via TAG Heuer boutiques and online, with prices starting at $1,600.

Article Link: New TAG Heuer Smartwatches Now 'Made for iPhone'

 

[turbineseaplane]

The most significant benefit of this transition is enhanced compatibility with Apple devices. The Calibre E5 is officially "Made for iPhone" (MFi) certified, part of Apple's hardware licensing program that ensures accessories and devices meet Apple's connectivity and software standards.

This certification guarantees better integration with iPhones, including faster pairing, more reliable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and consistent updates alongside iOS. It also ensures that key features like notifications, call handling, and health data synchronization operate seamlessly with the iPhone, an area where previous Wear OS models struggled. According to TAG Heuer, around 70% of its smartwatch users pair their devices with iPhones.

I wasn't even aware of this specific type of MFi program.

Is it new?

 

[WilliApple]

What’s the GPS like and does it have fitness tracking?
Edit: nevermind

starting at $1,600

 

[ELman]

It's a good looking watch.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I honestly just wish Apple would do more form factors for the Watch line.

 

[jz0309]

Interesting offering, would like to see a comparison to AW.
The price point though, double the Ultra …

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Wonder if stuff like the weather is able to refresh in the background, or if you can use the mic to dictate message responses. Probably not.

 

[LordArchie]

I'd be in for one if it supported CarKey.. really love that functionality

 

[RickDEGH]

Now that’s a smartwatch I might want to have. Sadly by the time I might be able to afford it, it’d probably be too old 😕

 

[Martyimac]

Not exactly a ringing endorsement here:

Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5 hands-on review: No longer tagging along

A hands-on, initial review of Tag Heuer's 2025 smartwatch, the Connected Calibre E5. We analyse the new software and hardware changes.

www.wareable.com

However, you only need to look at the limited nature of other smartwatches running proprietary software—from companies like Xiaomi and Huawei—to understand what a big gamble this is. Lacking core smartwatch functions can often lead to an incredibly bare experience, and it’s certainly not ideal at this price point.


Ultimately, they’ve been ousted in favor of what Tag Heuer believes its users want most. And if the brand is right about needing to serve iOS users (and its in-house tracking can hold up), it will no doubt continue to hold onto its explosive niche as the go-to premium smartwatch.


Only time will tell if this was the right move. Tag Heuer has played its part in helping shape the smartwatch landscape, and I hope this decision doesn’t come back to haunt it.

I have 4 different Tag Heuer watches but at that price point, no thanks. But if I DIDN'T have an  watch, I would be tempted.

 

[the 12th Doctor]

All these years later and they are still priced through the roof. Tag Heuer smoking some good stuff. Who is buying these.

 

[leonremi]

If you like this and have money to burn, sure go for it.

Otherwise ? An Apple Watch will be a better and cheaper smartwatch.

Or understand that a true mechanical Tag, properly cared for, will be ticking long after this thing has been thrown into a landfill.

 

[SteveJUAE]

So making it more IOS compatible we have lost contactless payment and other 3rd party apps and presumably no chance of locking or unlocking other things.

1 step forward and 2 back

Shame as I enjoyed the more uniqueness of Tag when I had the 1st gen that also could be converted to mechanical

 

[drew0020]

That is a beautiful watch at a pretty fair price. I'd love to see how it works with the iPhone. I wish they had a ceramic material and that might finally be enough for me to ditch the Apple Watch!

 

[LordArchie]

All these years later and they are still priced through the roof. Tag Heuer smoking some good stuff. Who is buying these.

There is a point where it doesn't make sense. Much like the special edition Apple Watches, value lost quickly as time passes and they become outdated. I'll stick with my traditional Tag

 

[Hajj.david]

I wish the hands etc were mechanical would be an awesome hybrid.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

I had the first Tag Connected watch and even traded it in a year later for the special edition analog version. But Google really screwed up with Wear OS and I eventually switched to an Apple Watch and iOS.

I'm really curious what MFi really means for a smartwatch though.

 

[BGPL]

Need at least a 50mm. Most of my watches are 52mm. And yes, I'm compensating.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Need at least a 50mm. Most of my watches are 52mm. And yes, I'm compensating.

52mm? Holy smokes!!

...I think that would hang off the edges of my 15.5cm wrist.

 

[contacos]

How did they manage that? I thought we needed the EU to open up better 3rd party watch support on iOS?

 

[ProbablyDylan]

How did they manage that? I thought we needed the EU to open up better 3rd party watch support on iOS?

Well hold on - we don't know if it's actually any good on iOS. It connecting to an iPhone and sending data to Health is not a guarantee it works well.

At the same time, there's no promise the watch itself is any good either. I'm not inclined to spend $1,600 to find out, either!

 

[sflagel]

I don’t see the benefit of wearing a smart watch if you also have to carry the phone (these health measures can be had with a £20 wristband from Amazon).

The point is mobile connectivity so that one can leave the phone at home.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I don’t see the benefit of wearing a smart watch if you also have to carry the phone (these health measures can be had with a £20 wristband from Amazon).

The point is mobile connectivity so that one can leave the phone at home.

No, those health measures can not be meaured with such a cheap band. I want GPS and maps when I'm running on trails, and to have actual data I can use during my workouts.. not just to passively record data.

..and sometimes, being disconnected is enjoyable. You don't always have to carry your phone, watch or otherwise.

 

[Apple-achian]

Apple should investigate and punish any dubious 'Made for Iphone' certifications. Clearly no watch will have the seamless and profound integration Apple Watches have. Its a disservice to the people who work to create such wonderful devices.

Edit: typo.

 

[MrRoberto]

It's not only "Made for iPhone", as an extra bonus, it's also made for those who don't think the Apple Watch Hermes is expensive enough. That new Calibre ought to check that box for you.