Apple Watch Series 6: what can we expect?
Biggest new feature? Sleep Tracking
Chief among those rumors are whispers about adding a sleep tracking functionality to the Apple Watch Series 6, which will allow you to wear it while sleeping and get a morning report about the quality of your sleep. Such a feature is already present on other smartwatches like ones by Fitbit and Withing, and it’s also been available on the Apple Watch via third-party apps, but not natively.
It’s worth knowing that Apple’s Health app on iPhones has had a separate sleep tracking category for years, but right now it uses data from the alarm clock on an iPhone, which of course provides little actual information about the quality of sleep. Apple acquired Finnish company Beddit in 2017, a company that makes a sleep-tracking sensor that is currently available on the Apple Store for $150.
Also new: Much better Gym Stats
While smartwatches and the Apple Watch in particular have been great companion devices for runners, cyclists, swimmers and a few other sports, gym goers lifting weights have had less use for the watch.
Apple has been working actively to change this and it has introduced a new “Apple Watch Connected” initiative for popular gyms in the United States. The new program will have the gyms bring Apple Watch-connected equipment as well as reward programs based on workout data collected by the watch.
Participating gyms are required to offer an app for either the iPhone or the Watch so that members can track their fitness progress, plus they have to support Apple Pay and offer a rewards program. Gyms will also need to have equipment compatible with Apple’s GymKit API for tracking workouts. The program will require users to opt in, meaning that Apple will not automatically gather data about you.
The list of participating gyms includes Orange Theory, Crunch Fitness, YMCA, and Basecamp Fitness, and more can join in later on.
We are not sure whether this will result in particular features related to the Apple Watch Series 6 or all Apple Watches, but we would not be surprised to see a focus on better gym exercise tracking become one of the major features in the Series 6 release.
New Health Features
Blood pressure and blood sugar measurements
Will the Series 6 come with a new design?
The rectangular shape will stay, but new elements including flat edges cannot be ruled out
The Apple Watch physical form has basically not changed at all since the launch of the very first one in April of 2015 and there are no rumors saying that the Series 6 will be an exception.
We expect it to retain the rectangular form factor that has proven to be popular with users, but it is possible that elements of design change. Apple’s new 2020 iPhones are rumored to get a new design with sharper corner and flat edges, and we would not be surprised to see the Apple Watch borrow some cues from that new design aesthetic.
When will the Series 6 be released?
Set your calendars for late September, 2020
Ever since 2016, Apple has released a new watch at its fall iPhone event that usually happens on the second Tuesday of September.
In 2020, possible dates for this event are September 8th or September 15th, with the actual release date for devices set for the next Friday after the event. So chances are that you will be able to find the Apple Watch Series 6 in stores on either Friday, September 18th, or the next one, on September 25th.
What about prices?
No surprises on this front
The Apple Watch Series 6 shapes up to be a gradual upgrade and not a revolutionary one, so we don’t see a reason for a spike in prices.
We expect the Series 6 to replace the Series 5 model, and prices of the new one will remain the same:
- Apple Watch Series 6 40mm Wi-Fi: $400 for aluminum sports model
- Apple Watch Series 6 44mm Wi-Fi: $430 for aluminum sports model
- Apple Watch Series 6 40mm Wi-Fi + Cellular: $500 for aluminum sports model
- Apple Watch Series 6 44mm Wi-Fi + Cellular: $530 for aluminum sports model