7 Exciting New Features to Expect in the Apple Watch Series 5

A new Apple Watch is coming this year, but it can sometimes be hard to tell with the constant focus on the iPhone. While reports relating to the so-called Apple Watch Series 5 are fewer and farther between, there are still some exciting updates planned for the next-generation wearable.

While not all of these features could end up on the Series 5, most of them are probably on the table for a future Apple Watch in general. Continue reading to learn about 7+ exciting new features you can expect, based on the latest rumors and reports.

True Qi Wireless Charging

While the Apple Watch charges wirelessly, it doesn’t actually use the Qi standard. Instead, the Apple Watch has a proprietary offshoot of the Qi standard — which ultimately means it’s not always compatible with Qi-based chargers and accessories. We expect that to change with the Apple Watch Series 5.

That’s primarily because Apple is rumored to add two-way wireless charging to its 2019 iPhones. Being able to charge an Apple Watch with an iPhone would probably require the Apple Watch to switch to standard Qi charging. That could also mean that the device will be compatible with a wider range of wireless chargers going forward.

Ceramic Case

While the Apple Watch Series 5 is largely expected to retain the same overall design as its predecessor, Apple may bring a ceramic case option for the next-generation wearable. The Apple Watch has long been available in a ceramic variant, but the Series 4 dropped that option.

TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the Apple Watch Series 5 could come with a “new ceramic casing design” back in February, but didn’t offer any additional details. Previously, ceramic Apple Watches tended to be higher-end — but that may very well change this year.

Better Battery Life

Better battery life is usually one of the most requested features for any device, from smartphones to laptops. But it could open up a range of possibilities on the Apple Watch — which currently requires almost nightly charging.

While there isn’t much room for Apple to cram a bigger battery into the Apple Watch, it’s possible that Apple could squeeze more battery life out of the form factor with better power management and improved battery technology. It’s also possible that apple could improve charging times so Apple Watch users can juice up their devices quicker.

Camera + More Advanced Band

The Apple Watch has never had a camera, which makes sense given its form factor. But with the ability to make cellular or audio-only FaceTime calls on the Apple Watch Series 3 and alter, being able to FaceTime someone right from your wrist seems like the next logical step.

Apple may have a solution, per a patent granted earlier this year. And it includes embedded a camera right into a more advanced watch band. Even if that doesn’t come to fruition this year, Apple has other advanced features in mind for future watch bands — including a “tightness” sensor that could ensure that your band is snug enough for accurate heart rate readings.

New Health Features

Health and fitness have long been the Apple Watch’s primary forte. That isn’t going to change in the future, which leads us to believe that the Series 5 will continue to build upon the health ecosystem that Apple has established. In addition to improvements in watchOS 6, Apple may add some Series 5 exclusive features, too.

There’s plenty of evidence hinting that Apple is working on glucose monitoring systems and other health-based sensors for use in a future wearable. One implementation could even detect blood sugar levels by “smelling” a user’s sweat. While there’s no guarantee these advanced health sensors will end up on the Series 5, it’s likely that Apple will add at least a couple advanced, health-related features.

Sleep Tracking

One of the primary downsides about the Apple Watch as a health and fitness tracker has been the lack of sleep tracking. That’s a feature present in many mainstream competitors, including devices that are way cheaper and less feature-dense. But Apple is likely hard at work making native sleep tracking on the Apple Watch a reality.

The company has been working on proprietary sleep tracking tech for a couple of years and has made strategic acquisitions in that area. Native sleep tracking would require better battery life, however, since the Apple Watch only lasts about a day or a day and a half on a charge. But if a bigger battery and better energy efficiency are on the table, sleep tracking may be a more likely possibility.

More Independence

Apple’s watchOS 6 brings the Apple Watch a bit closer to full autonomy with the addition of an App Store and standalone apps. But the Apple Watch still has a ways to go before it can truly replace an iPhone — though Apple may be taking additional steps in that direction with the Series 5.

Even simple changes, like the ability to set up an Apple Watch or other iOS system features without an iPhone nearby, would let the Apple Watch become much more independent. It’s possible that the Apple Watch Series 5 could implement some of these autonomy-focused features.