Wait for S6 (and possible Pulse Oximeter) ??

[GalileoSeven]

This will I admit, be something of a stupid question. I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger on an Apple Watch finally, but was wondering - would it be worth waiting for the S6 based solely on the possibility of a pulse oximeter being included??

To me, the feature seems like something of a novelty, though given current events it might be handy to have.

(either way, I've fixated on Space Gray Aluminum w/a Black Sport Band)

 

[The Game 161]

If you are able to wait a couple of months i would wait...

 

[rumz]

Since you don’t already have a watch, one could argue there’s not much new that could come to the series 6 that the 5 doesn’t already have. But, if it’s also a luxury (compared to need people have for things like a phone), there’s also nothing to lose by waiting until we hear what the series 6 will entail. Main reason I’d pick up a 5 is if you see one of those $100 discounts and find that too attractive to pass up. If you’re not quite so price sensitive or just think there might be some feature that could make it worth that money... I’d wait, just due to how close that announcement is likely to be (early / mid-September, possibly).

 

[0128672]

At this point I would wait for the S6. If it doesn't get the POx, there will hopefully be good discounts on the S5 too, so you'll have lots of options. When the S6 is available, I would expect we'd see more S5 in the Apple Refurb Store too.

 

[Apple_Robert]

This will I admit, be something of a stupid question. I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger on an Apple Watch finally, but was wondering - would it be worth waiting for the S6 based solely on the possibility of a pulse oximeter being included??

To me, the feature seems like something of a novelty, though given current events it might be handy to have.

(either way, I've fixated on Space Gray Aluminum w/a Black Sport Band)

You have already answered your own question.

Unless you are in an “at risk” group, have Sleep Apnea, elite athlete, heart problems, or other health problems that are directly tied to pulse ox, the rumored feature will probably be a novelty to you.


No need to wait. Go ahead and make the purchase.

 

[0128672]

And even if you are in an at-risk group, you can get a fingertip pulse oximeter today that meets FDA standards from Amazon for ~$24. That's a sure thing versus possible new tech on the watch.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

Given a likely October announcement, combined with uncertainty around the pandemic and US-China relations.....I’d say you are waiting at least3 months (assuming a Nov 1 delivery), and this doesn’t account for potential delays or supply constraints.

There is always a reason to wait, but this time around isn’t a major form factor change, and likely not as significant of an upgrade compared to 4 to 5 (AOD).

Do you want it for health and exercise? It’s prime time for that type of thing. Also, given the implications of blood oxygen levels and COVID 19, you could see Apple hold of on that release, to avoid any headaches. Obviously - just conjecture and the opposite can also be true.

Honestly, if you want it and it sounds great, get it. It’s is all dependent on the value to you, and not what other say in regards to upgrades and timelines. I bought a SS version today, take that as my caveat/bias.

 

[DontGetTheCheese]

I have it on my Garmin, one of the things still working, and it's not as exciting as you think. First, Garmin runs about 3% low, so it scares you sometimes. Second, it chews up the battery. Third, there's no certainty it'll even show up in S6.

I'm not a big fan of S5 and sold mine. If the S6, by some miracle, gets a better battery I might come back, something recent events in Garminidia have made more probable.

 

[GalileoSeven]

Given a likely October announcement, combined with uncertainty around the pandemic and US-China relations.....I’d say you are waiting at least3 months (assuming a Nov 1 delivery), and this doesn’t account for potential delays or supply constraints.

There is always a reason to wait, but this time around isn’t a major form factor change, and likely not as significant of an upgrade compared to 4 to 5 (AOD).

Do you want it for health and exercise? It’s prime time for that type of thing. Also, given the implications of blood oxygen levels and COVID 19, you could see Apple hold of on that release, to avoid any headaches. Obviously - just conjecture and the opposite can also be true.

Honestly, if you want it and it sounds great, get it. It’s is all dependent on the value to you, and not what other say in regards to upgrades and timelines. I bought a SS version today, take that as my caveat/bias.

Thanks all. I had to sit and think a sec about my own personal use case and whether I would derive any value from a pulse oximeter and the like. With the former for me being 'health and exercise' and the latter being 'no', I decided to drop down a notch and ended up going with a 38mm Series 3 (for a whopping $181 after tax at Target)

The health/fitness aspects have more than filled the bill so far, having Apple Pay on here is a tad more convenient (than whipping out my XR) and I can even unlock my iMac with this. God forbid, something should go wrong or it needs replacing down the line, I'll just wait until S6 comes out and the S5 falls to S3's current pricing.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

It will probably be like the ecg, a novelty that I use for a bit then hardly ever use, you can buy the ones that attatch to your finger pretty cheap if you are worried about CV.

 

[RAMM]

Buyer beware: pulse oximeters that don’t send light waves through a fingertip are not deemed to be reliable. Read this article for more information:

Apps aren’t a reliable way to measure blood oxygen levels

Don’t download an app if pulse oximeters are sold out in your area

www.theverge.com

 

[satchmo]

In the end, the AW is a nice to have for many. Even those with underlying health conditions, it's debatable how accurate some of the features really are. More than anything, it will give you an indication to go see a doctor.

If you can wait, I think the AW6 may surprise many. While it won't be a complete redesign, I suspect it will be much improved in terms of speed.

 

[dumastudetto]

The thing with tech is there's always advancements. Buy what you need now, and if the S6 has something you really like you can buy that too. Don't hesitate to buy what you need, even if it seems a bit extravagant.

 

[The Game 161]

Thing is the Apple Watch is so far ahead of the comp they don’t Bally need to bring loads each year. For me battery life being great is my only request and a faster chip. Everything else is just a bonus.

 

[satchmo]

New rumour today from Digitimes says oxygen blood monitoring is coming to the AW6.
Take it with a grain of salt of course.

 

[0128672]

New rumour today from Digitimes says oxygen blood monitoring is coming to the AW6.
Take it with a grain of salt of course.

Actually, take it with a grain of calcium (which helps to promote oxygen transport) 😜

 

[PaladinGuy]

If blood oxygen saturation is on the series 6, that essentially signals that there will not be any major battery improvements this year. That feature dominates battery life, unless it’s highly limited and used very infrequently.

The removal of force touch and all the talk of bigger batteries will most likely keep battery life exactly where it is with the series 5. That’s my guess.

 

[Apple_Robert]

If blood oxygen saturation is on the series 6, that essentially signals that there will not be any major battery improvements this year. That feature dominates battery life, unless it’s highly limited and used very infrequently.

The removal of force touch and all the talk of bigger batteries will most likely keep battery life exactly where it is with the series 5. That’s my guess.

Way to kill the new S6 mood, PG. Now i have to reassess my whole life’s meaning again.

 

[PaladinGuy]

Way to kill the new S6 mood, PG. Now i have to reassess my whole life’s meaning again.

I’d love to be wrong. I just know that sp02 monitors are big power hogs. I had a Garmin Fenix 6S briefly, and the one time I enabled the sp02 monitor for night time, it seriously dropped the battery life. That was on a larger watch with a much more power efficient screen.

If Apple can pull it off, it will be awesome! I will certainly be tempted, if they up battery life and also make charging faster.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I’d love to be wrong. I just know that sp02 monitors are big power hogs. I had a Garmin Fenix 6S briefly, and the one time I enabled the sp02 monitor for night time, it seriously dropped the battery life. That was on a larger watch with a much more power efficient screen.

If Apple can pull it off, it will be awesome! I will certainly be tempted, if they up battery life and also make charging faster.

I suppose it will be love it or there will be lots of series 6 returns across the board. I hope it has a bigger battery. I can charge during the work day but, that kind of defeats the ability of being able to wear it during most of the day without needing a charge.

 

[oeagleo]

I’d love to be wrong. I just know that sp02 monitors are big power hogs. I had a Garmin Fenix 6S briefly, and the one time I enabled the sp02 monitor for night time, it seriously dropped the battery life. That was on a larger watch with a much more power efficient screen.

If Apple can pull it off, it will be awesome! I will certainly be tempted, if they up battery life and also make charging faster.

I had a Garmin Fenix 6 Pro recently, and yes, you are correct. Without the SpO2 sensor, I could get almost 2 weeks out of the battery, but if I had the sensor enabled 24/7 (during the initial outbreak of COVID), it went down to 4 days max. If Apple can bring this out to be a useful health indicator, then that would be awesome, but I honesly believe for it to be effective, Apple would need a battery roughly the size of a Buick.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Speaking of pulse ox, it is interesting to think about the possibility of the series 6 also being able to read skin temperature, to assist with COVID-19, and other health concerns.

Take a look at this article.