Next Apple Watch Models Unlikely to Add Touch ID, Focus on Battery Life

[MacRumors]

Apple is prioritizing larger batteries and more advanced health sensors over fingerprint authentication for the Apple Watch, according to a new claim from a prominent Chinese leaker.

In a new Weibo post, Instant Digital pushed back on recent speculation about biometric recognition coming to Apple's wearable lineup, claiming instead that the company remains content to let users unlock their devices via their paired iPhone.

Adding Touch ID sensors would introduce extra cost and eat into precious internal space that could otherwise be used for battery capacity, which is a tradeoff Apple apparently isn't willing to make at this stage, suggests the leaker.

Last August, MacRumors confirmed lines of code uncovered by Macworld that suggested Touch ID could arrive on the Apple Watch Series 12 or Apple Watch Ultra 4. That discovery led to suggestions that Apple could put the Touch ID sensor under the display or potentially integrate it into the side button, similar to its implementation on the iPad mini and iPad Air.

As things stand, the 2026 Apple Watch models are not expected to feature major design changes, and a design update is unlikely to happen until 2028 at the earliest. When it does, Apple could introduce noninvasive blood glucose monitoring technology, but currently the feature remains in the early stages of development.

Article Link: Next Apple Watch Models Unlikely to Add Touch ID, Focus on Battery Life

 

[levitynyc]

Garmin still absolutely eats Apples lunch when it comes to battery life. I go 14 days without needing to charge a 3 year old Garmin while brand new Apple watches still need to charge every 2 - 3 days.

 

[cheesygrin]

It's hard to see how the Apple Watch can develop much more. I wear mine every day for it's basic functions of notifications and health/activity tracking, but beyond that, it's quite a niche device.

It doesn't work fashion-wise as it is now seen as a purely utility device regardless of which model or strap you buy, and it is too small an interface to offer much beyond it's current functionality.

Adding more health sensors (especially glucose monitoring) is the only way I can see to improve it's feature set.

 

[MayaUser]

Garmin still absolutely eats Apples lunch when it comes to battery life. I go 14 days without needing to charge a 3 year old Garmin while brand new Apple watches still need to charge every 2 - 3 days.

then why people are buying apple watch since garmin is so good?

 

[Whats-a-computer?]

and a design update is unlikely to happen until 2028 at the earliest.

Shouldnt it be 2027? In the past Apple held on to a case designs for 3 years (0-3 4-6, 7-9). That would mean Series 12 should be the thrid and last with the current design.

 

[tyranne201]

Adding Touch ID sensors would introduce extra cost and eat into precious internal space that could otherwise be used for battery capacity, which is a tradeoff Apple apparently isn't willing to make at this stage, suggests the leaker.


doesnt make sense. apple doesn't care about battery life and price.

 

[tyranne201]

Shouldnt it be 2027? In the past Apple held on to a case designs for 3 years (0-3 4-6, 7-9). That would mean Series 12 should be the thrid and last with the current design.

why would apple not sacrifice battery life in 2026, but in 2027? lol

 

[gegy]

Garmin still absolutely eats Apples lunch when it comes to battery life. I go 14 days without needing to charge a 3 year old Garmin while brand new Apple watches still need to charge every 2 - 3 days.

Which Garmin?

 

[jdawgnoonan]

then why people are buying apple watch since garmin is so good?

I have a Garmin as well, and what was said on battery is true. People buy the Apple Watch I assume because it has a lot more apps for things besides health and activities. I personally use a Garmin Fenix and am tempted every few years buy an Apple Watch, but I just don’t care about the apps enough to deal with having to charge every day or two.

 

[gegy]

That’s actually a valid question. Why does a Garmin fenix AMOLED last 7 days in always-on mode (16 days always on disabled), while an Apple Watch only lasts 2 days?

 

[racerhomie]

That’s actually a valid question. Why does a Garmin fenix AMOLED last 7 days in always-on mode (16 days always on disabled), while an Apple Watch only lasts 2 days?

Baby OS, baby Hardware

 

[Whats-a-computer?]

why would apple not sacrifice battery life in 2026, but in 2027? lol

Im not talking about TouchID, im talking about any design changes in general.

 

[zoor4tech]

then why people are buying apple watch since garmin is so good?

Maybe these people can charge Apple Watch every morning or so. Some people can't because they do camping, hiking, etc. and need to worry about the battery life of their devices.

 

[eduardodfj]

I have a Garmin as well, and what was said on battery is true. People buy the Apple Watch I assume because it has a lot more apps for things besides health and activities. I personally use a Garmin Fenix and am tempted every few years buy an Apple Watch, but I just don’t care about the apps enough to deal with having to charge every day or two.

Cellular connectivity. I mean REAL cellular connectivity, the one that allows you to make and receive phone calls without having to have the watch tethered to the mobile phone, and allow apps to use data. It's not the apps as such, I could live without those but I suffer the pain of having the charge the Apple Watch Ultra so often because no Garmin can make and receive calls and use data.

 

[HouseLannister]

This follows the rumors a year ago where Gurman was saying they were going to add a camera to the watch and then scrapped that idea.

They also scrapped the idea of making their own microLED display for the watch.

Lots of R&D and the product design is stuck. All we got is they made it thinner. Now they will make it thicker for more battery?

 

[clg82]

then why people are buying apple watch since garmin is so good?

Umm because it's a free market and people have choices.......smh

 

[johannnn]

touch ID is such a stupid rumor. No one cares about it. 99% of people put in the passcode once a day.

of course they should focus on battery life instead.

no brainer

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

Focus on battery life ?)))

Brooo, you had perfectly balanced form factor and then let’s do it tiny, and now let’s try to improve battery life - it’s so stupid from Apple… Jony Ive is probably smiling like crazy by watching those clowns )

 

[Kirkster]

The only reason I upgrade from my Ultra 2 is a blood glucose monitor that is close to accurate. I just throw it on a fast charger while I get ready for the day, or a power brick when I am camping at the race track.

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

Second one, why would you need Touch ID when your Apple Watch can be easily unlocked by iPhone … and vice Versa

 

[MayaUser]

I have a Garmin as well, and what was said on battery is true. People buy the Apple Watch I assume because it has a lot more apps for things besides health and activities. I personally use a Garmin Fenix and am tempted every few years buy an Apple Watch, but I just don’t care about the apps enough to deal with having to charge every day or two.

so health is more important for people who buy apple watch than garmins better battery life? Health>battery life
I dont know anything about garmin thats why i was asking

 

[MayaUser]

Second one, why would you need Touch ID when your Apple Watch can be easily unlocked by iPhone … and vice Versa

not to reach the iphone from your pocket?
i dont know, i thought apple watch will always be secure until it is mapped to your hand/skin so no need for touchid

 

[MayaUser]

Focus on battery life ?)))

Brooo, you had perfectly balanced form factor and then let’s do it tiny, and now let’s try to improve battery life - it’s so stupid from Apple… Jony Ive is probably smiling like crazy by watching those clowns )

"Apple Watches surpassed \(\$100\) billion by Q2 2025"
yes, very stupid from Apple....envy is a sin

 

[abowlby]

Garmin still absolutely eats Apples lunch when it comes to battery life. I go 14 days without needing to charge a 3 year old Garmin while brand new Apple watches still need to charge every 2 - 3 days.

Gotta love the thumbs down reactions.

"Objective data hurts my feelings because Apple is my dad, therefore nuh-uh!"

 

[abowlby]

Smart thing to focus on, especially for the Ultra. Gotta get to that holy grail where Apple Watch becomes viable for races like the Cocodona 250.