It feels like Apple’s Series 4 watch only just launched, but we’re already hearing scuttlebutt related to this year’s Series 5 watch. While Series 4 was a huge leap forward, featuring larger screens, rounded bezels and advanced EKG features, Series 5 is shaping up to be another massive step.
Apple Watch Series 5
Sleep Tracking
One of the major places that the Apple Watch Series 4 is lacking in is advanced sleep tracking tech seen on some competitors’ watches. At present, for sleep tracking, Apple Watch users have to rely on third-party apps. However, the Apple Watch line, up to this point, hasn’t sported good enough battery life to even be worn overnight while sleeping.
The Series 5 is aiming to fix both of these errors, adding advanced sleep tracking tech as well as better overall battery life. How it will approach the issue of battery life remains to be seen, but it could use a low-power night mode when it detects the wearer is sleeping. Another option is to simply pack in a bigger battery.
Charging
Apple’s AirPower proprietary charging pad is now well and truly dead. However, the Apple Watch Series 5 was meant to charge from it and won’t accept normal Qi charging. What this means for the new watch remains to be seen, though it could mean that upcoming iPhones will be able to charge the watch from their own batteries.
We’ve seen tech like this on Samsung’s phones, so it wouldn’t be odd to see Apple keeping their charging solutions all in the family.
iPhone-Locked
Up to this point, every Apple Watch has required an iPhone to set them up. This makes them locked firmly into Apple’s ecosystem, unlike other smartwatches. Most other smartwatches can be used with Android or iPhone, making them more versatile than Apple’s proprietary watch.
Perhaps the Series 5 will mark the first time that Apple lets their watch out into the wide world of Android phones. It would be a good move for a company that has been seeing slowing sales of their iPhone line.