What to expect from the Apple Watch Series 4, and when it is coming
A new Apple Watch Series 4 is coming for sure! Let's talk about how we know that it is coming, when it is coming, and what rumored features will be included.
This same thing happened last year, shortly before the Series 3 was released, which actually had eight new model numbers. And, its also happened with the 2018 iPad, and the MacBook Pro.
Given that six models have been filed for, instead of eight, Apple is getting rid of a certain model for this year's lineup.
It's most likely going to be either the Apple Watch Edition, or the non-LTE aluminum model.
As for pricing for the Series 4, there's no way to know for sure, but give history, we're fairly sure that the cheapest models will range from around $329 to $399.
Since each new Series 4 model is coming with watchOS 5 installed, this means that the Series 4 will likely be revealed at Apple's September event, just like the Series 2 and Series 3 watch releases.
Now this could either happen by making the chassis larger, or by slimming the bezels around the screen -- and we think it's the latter. Kuo also believes that the new watches will have more battery capacity, and improved heart tracking capabilities.
There's also rumors that Apple will switch from spring-loaded Side and Digital Crown buttons, to solid state haptic feedback buttons, like on recent iPhone home buttons. The main benefit to this seems to be better water-resistance.
Apple and TSMC are rumored to have already started production of new MicroLED technology displays for Apple Watches to increase battery life. Production cost is between four and six times higher than existing OLED Apple Watch panels, so if we do see MicroLED displays, they may only be available on higher-end Apple Watch models, like the stainless steel and Edition models -- should the latter survive the model purge.
Some rumors also point to the Series 4 supporting the Qi wireless charging standard, as opposed to the modified one that the Apple Watch uses now, so you can use any Qi wireless charger to power the device.
We think the Series 4 will come with 16GB of storage, and maybe even 32GB on stainless steel and edition models.
As far as connectivity goes, we also think it'll come with Bluetooth 5 instead of Bluetooth 4.2, since Apple's recent MacBook Pros now support Bluetooth 5, and we expect the new iPhone lineup will too.
There's also a chance we'll see a small boost in RAM as well.
Like I mentioned earlier, improved heart-rate monitoring has been rumored, as well as others, like improved health-tracking options and UV sun exposure tracking. Non-invasive glucose monitoring has also been rumored -- meaning you wouldn't have to poke yourself all the time, or insert a probe under your skin. But, the technology is probably years away, and likely won't be seen on the Series 4.
How we know
Prior to sale, some countries require permission to market devices using encryption by way of filing with the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC). Since Apple's watchOS devices are encrypted, Apple has recently filed with the EEC, including six new model numbers, all running watchOS 5.This same thing happened last year, shortly before the Series 3 was released, which actually had eight new model numbers. And, its also happened with the 2018 iPad, and the MacBook Pro.
Given that six models have been filed for, instead of eight, Apple is getting rid of a certain model for this year's lineup.
It's most likely going to be either the Apple Watch Edition, or the non-LTE aluminum model.
As for pricing for the Series 4, there's no way to know for sure, but give history, we're fairly sure that the cheapest models will range from around $329 to $399.
Since each new Series 4 model is coming with watchOS 5 installed, this means that the Series 4 will likely be revealed at Apple's September event, just like the Series 2 and Series 3 watch releases.
Series 4 features and specs
The rumor mill has already started churning about the Series 4 Apple Watch. Ming-Chi Kuo says that the new watches will have a 15-percent larger display.Now this could either happen by making the chassis larger, or by slimming the bezels around the screen -- and we think it's the latter. Kuo also believes that the new watches will have more battery capacity, and improved heart tracking capabilities.
There's also rumors that Apple will switch from spring-loaded Side and Digital Crown buttons, to solid state haptic feedback buttons, like on recent iPhone home buttons. The main benefit to this seems to be better water-resistance.
Apple and TSMC are rumored to have already started production of new MicroLED technology displays for Apple Watches to increase battery life. Production cost is between four and six times higher than existing OLED Apple Watch panels, so if we do see MicroLED displays, they may only be available on higher-end Apple Watch models, like the stainless steel and Edition models -- should the latter survive the model purge.
Some rumors also point to the Series 4 supporting the Qi wireless charging standard, as opposed to the modified one that the Apple Watch uses now, so you can use any Qi wireless charger to power the device.
Storage increase?
Last year's series 3 had 8GB of storage for the Wi-Fi only models and 16GB of storage for LTE models.We think the Series 4 will come with 16GB of storage, and maybe even 32GB on stainless steel and edition models.
As far as connectivity goes, we also think it'll come with Bluetooth 5 instead of Bluetooth 4.2, since Apple's recent MacBook Pros now support Bluetooth 5, and we expect the new iPhone lineup will too.
There's also a chance we'll see a small boost in RAM as well.
Like I mentioned earlier, improved heart-rate monitoring has been rumored, as well as others, like improved health-tracking options and UV sun exposure tracking. Non-invasive glucose monitoring has also been rumored -- meaning you wouldn't have to poke yourself all the time, or insert a probe under your skin. But, the technology is probably years away, and likely won't be seen on the Series 4.
Comments
The watch is a different story. The changes each year for the watch have been pretty huge. Series 2 introduced huge increases in speed and battery life. Series 3 introduced LTE. I'm very excited to see the improvements in Series 4. I'm hoping to more battery life, bigger displays and better heart rate tracking (I doubt that my heart rate is really 54 when I'm running flat out). I'm also hoping for more speed and a better speaker.
With watch OS 5, I think there will be a lot more times when I'm willing to leave my phone at home. I love listening to podcasts, so this alone is huge.
It’s an even better bet that the new iPhones will have Bluetooth 5 since the current lineup has Bluetooth 5.
For myself, what I am most interested in is:
- Enough battery life to allow some type of always on watch face (or rather - configurable so you could have it always on from 9am-9pm, as example). Can be dimmer when not active, but something to showcase the great watch faces rather than a black screen.
- Introduction of smart bands. Expanding the functionality of watch would be greatly enhanced here, and usher in a whole new market. This is where one might get sensors that can monitor blood pressure, blood sucrose levels. I think this is inevitable, so my next upgrade (I just when from original to non-LTE Series 3) I want to be a platform with legs
BT5 would be a solid update to support wireless connectivity for the next decade - better b/w and lower power.
The aluminum LTE model also switches to the ceramic caseback and doubles the onboard storage. It's a decent upgrade. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they make that the new baseline by just dropping the non-LTE model. Reducing internal differences is a very Apple move.
If the carriers dropped the cost for additional Watches to the same account (they won't) then paying extra for the cellular version wouldn't bother me. Or if Apple dropped the price to $329 for GPS + cellular, I'd be fine with that. But that won't happen either.
If the AI article is correct, the non-LTE version would be SS, BSS, and Ceramic. And you do know they're more expensive than $70, right? So maybe you understand why I don't want to see the aluminum GPS only version dropped.
And without an Ethernet port, how am I supposed to connect to the office network?
Seriously, I'm almost regretting my Series 3 at this point. If I'd held out just another year I could have bought a Series 4 instead, and then regret not being able to get a Series 5.