By <https://9to5mac.com/author/chmiller44/> Chance Miller.
Following the introduction of an always-on display with last year's Apple
Watch Series 5, early indications are that the Apple Watch Series 6 will
continue to expand the wearable's health capabilities. Read on as we round
up everything we know so far about the 2020 Apple Watch.
Design
The Apple Watch Series 6 is likely to look similar to the
<https://amzn.to/2QYBFMe> Apple Watch Series 5. Reports
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/27/rumor-apple-developing-touch-id-fingerprint-
biometrics-for-apple-watch-series-2-will-not-support-watchos-7/> indicate
that there aren't any major changes in store for the Apple Watch Series 6's
industrial design and that it will follow the same general form factor as
the Series 4 and Series 5.
That being said, it's not out of the question that Apple will offer new
finishes, colors, and casing options for the Apple Watch Series 6. With last
year's release of the Series 5, Apple debuted an all-new titanium option.
What's in store for this year? We don't know yet, but possibilities include
new colors for existing casing materials, new materials altogether, and much
more. And of course, Apple will likely have new band options and colors as
well.
One of the changes introduced with watchOS 7 is the deprecation of the Force
Touch capability. Force Touch allowed Apple Watch users to firmly press on
the device's display to access additional content and controls, such as
changing watch faces or clearing all notifications. Apple explains:
In versions of watchOS before watchOS 7, people could press firmly on the
display to do things like change the watch face or reveal a hidden menu
called a Force Touch menu. In watchOS 7 and later, system apps make
previously hidden menu items accessible in a related screen or a settings
screen. If you formerly supported a long-press gesture to open a hidden
menu, consider relocating the menu items elsewhere.
Force Touch is technically a hardware feature that has been available on
every Apple Watch model since day one, but with watchOS 7, Apple is removing
the feature completely, even if the Apple Watch hardware supports it. This
is a way for Apple to force developers to make the necessary changes before
the Apple Watch Series 6 release and to ensure uniformity.
So with this in mind, it seems inevitable that the Apple Watch Series 6 will
drop the hardware that was originally needed for Force Touch. The removal of
Force Touch hardware capabilities could also mean that Apple can make the
Apple Watch Series 6 thinner, or pack a bigger battery or other sensors
inside.
Apple Watch Series 6 health features
One of the tentpole features of this year's Apple Watch update is expected
to be blood oxygen level detection. Code
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/08/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-saturation/> found
within iOS 14 by 9to5Mac has indicated that Apple Watch will add it this
year.
How would this work? Blood oxygen levels between 95% and 100% are considered
healthy; blood oxygen levels below 80% may lead to compromised heart and
brain functionality. Risk of respiratory or cardiac arrest is common after
continued low blood oxygen saturation. This feature would work similarly to
existing watchOS heart rate notification features. If Apple Watch detects a
blood oxygen level below a certain threshold, it will trigger a notification
for the user.
Building on blood oxygen level detection, Apple is also developing improved
electrocardiogram (ECG) capabilities for Apple Watch Series 6. Apple Watch
Series 4 and 5 currently result in inconclusive ECG readings with heart
rates between 100 and 120 beats per minute. A future update, either in
software or hardware, will remove that limitation with an upgraded version
of the ECG app.
As of right now, it is unclear whether these new health features will be
limited to the Apple Watch Series 6 or if watchOS 7 might also bring them to
the Apple Watch Series 4/5. History suggests Apple will want to use these
features to push upgrades to the Series 6, but we'll have to wait to find
out for sure.
Sleep tracking
Sleep tracking has been at the top of my Apple Watch wishlist for many
years, and this year's release of watchOS 7 finally brings the feature to
fruition. The new Sleep app allows you to set your schedule, view sleep
analysis, and adjust settings for things like Wind Down and your Sleep Goal.
The sleep tracking data itself is rather basic, but the tie-in with features
like Wind Down and Sleep Mode makes for a sleek experience. What's
interesting is that Apple Watch sleep tracking is not limited to the new
Apple Watch Series 6, though more advanced sleep tracking features could
come to this year's Apple Watch exclusively.
In fact,
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/02/26/report-apple-aims-to-release-native-sleep-tr
acking-features-for-apple-watch-by-next-year/> Bloomberg had reported that
sleep tracking would be tied to new hardware rather than new software. Even
though watchOS 7 brings sleep tracking support to all Apple Watch users, it
could be that the Apple Watch Series 6 features new hardware capabilities.
Currently, we expect the Apple Watch Series 6 to be announced in September
alongside Apple's 2020 lineup of iPhones. That being said, given the current
COVID-19 pandemic, product launch timelines are in flux.
Various reports have suggested that the iPhone 12 could be delayed due to
COVID-19 and corresponding economic uncertainty. Whether or not the Apple
Watch Series 6 might also be affected by these delays remains to be seen.
Should you buy an Apple Watch Series 5 or wait?
One of the most common questions, whenever a new Apple product is looming,
is whether you should buy the current-generation model or wait for the new
one. At this point, we are likely around two months away from the release of
the Apple Watch Series 6.
This means that for most people, it's probably wise to wait for the Apple
Watch Series 6 to be announced later this year. Even if you don't end up
buying the newest model, the introduction of the Apple Watch Series 6 will
mean that the older models, such as the Apple Watch Series 5, will likely
receive a price drop.
If you do decide to buy an Apple Watch Series 5 instead of waiting for the
Apple Watch Series 6, you should avoid paying full price. You can keep track
of the latest Apple Watch deals over at
<http://9to5mac.com/guides/apple-watch-series-6> 9to5Toys, or check out the
Amazon rates below:
* <https://amzn.to/3hLhyfz> Apple Watch Series 3, 38mm
* <https://amzn.to/3fclBQd> Apple Watch Series 3, 42mm
* <https://amzn.to/2CVOxPx> Apple Watch Series 4, 40mm
* <https://amzn.to/32ZznDz> Apple Watch Series 4, 44mm
* <https://amzn.to/3fclUdP> Apple Watch Series 5, 40mm
* <https://amzn.to/2BAMTlE> Apple Watch Series 5, 44mm
Apple Watch Series 6 wrap-up
As of right now, that's all we know so far about the Apple Watch Series 6.
As always, it's likely that we'll continue to learn more about the device in
the lead-up to its expected release in September.
Best Apple Watch bands:
* <https://amzn.to/2oH1V2k> Apple Watch Sport Band
* <https://amzn.to/2ozGtfY> JETech stainless steel band for Apple
Watch
* <https://amzn.to/2pv3hxP> Apple Watch Sport Loop
* <https://amzn.to/2nZTyPv> Jisoncase Apple Watch leather bands
Best Apple Watch charging docks:
* <https://amzn.to/2sEF9dF> Spigen S350
* <https://amzn.to/2qhtgcQ> Elago W2 Stand
* <https://amzn.to/35UeTdC> Elago W3 Stand
* <https://amzn.to/2sDMuu2> Belkin Powerhouse Charge Dock for iPhone
+ Apple Watch
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