The Ultimate Apple Watch Upgrade: What It Really Needs
▼ Summary
– The Apple Watch experienced its first-ever decline in shipments in 2024, with a 19% year-over-year drop due to decreased demand and lack of substantial upgrades.
– Potential updates for the next Apple Watch include satellite communications, a larger screen, 5G connectivity, and high blood pressure warnings, but these may not be compelling enough to drive upgrades.
– Users desire features like third-party customizable watchfaces, Android phone compatibility, better battery life, and noninvasive blood glucose tracking to significantly improve the device.
– While competitors like Google are focusing on AI integration for wearables, a smarter Siri on the Apple Watch may not materialize soon and could face usability challenges similar to current AI assistants.
– Apple needs a clear, revitalized roadmap for the Apple Watch to restore momentum, as incremental updates alone are insufficient to reignite consumer excitement and upgrade interest.
With the Apple Watch celebrating its tenth anniversary, the conversation has shifted from celebrating its success to questioning its next major evolution. As the undisputed leader in the smartwatch market, Apple faces the challenge of reinvigorating a product line that recently saw its first-ever decline in global shipments. Consumers are increasingly asking what meaningful upgrades could justify an upgrade, moving beyond incremental improvements to something truly transformative.
Market data from Counterpoint reveals a 19 percent year-over-year drop in Apple Watch shipments, marking five consecutive quarters of decline. The reasons are clear: decreased consumer demand, fewer available models, and a noticeable lack of substantial new features. People aren’t convinced that a new watch will significantly enhance their daily experience, and that’s a problem Apple must address head-on.
Many assume the answer lies in artificial intelligence, especially after seeing Gemini integrated into Wear OS devices. A smarter, more capable Siri could level the playing field, but let’s be realistic, meaningful AI upgrades are unlikely to arrive this year. Even if they did, the practical difference for most users might feel minimal. Gemini on wrist-enabled devices allows for more complex queries, but it doesn’t yet feel like a game-changer. A supercharged Siri would likely face similar hurdles in demonstrating clear daily utility.
Rumors point to tangible hardware updates: satellite communication for the Apple Watch Ultra, a larger display, and possibly 5G connectivity and blood pressure monitoring for the Series 11. The budget-friendly SE model might even see a shift to an all-plastic design, though recent reports suggest that plan could be shelved. While these are respectable improvements, they fall short of being must-have innovations. Blood pressure tracking could be an exception, but its impact will depend entirely on execution and accuracy.
What would really move the needle? Giving users what they’ve been asking for, much of which is already within reach.
Take third-party watch faces, for instance. Apple has long defended its curated approach, but Wear OS has shown that users crave real customization. Current workarounds exist, but they’re clunky compared to a native, integrated solution.
Even more impactful would be ending the iPhone dependency. Family Setup offers a partial workaround, but the real barrier is platform exclusivity. There’s a sizable audience of Android users who admire the Apple Watch but can’t use it fully. Opening compatibility would not only expand Apple’s market but reflect a more user-centric philosophy.
A glance through enthusiast forums and Reddit threads reveals a consistent wish list: better battery life, non-invasive blood glucose monitoring (though this remains a longer-term goal), improved nap detection in sleep tracking, and Touch ID integrated into the digital crown. Some users want messaging capabilities within apps like WhatsApp or Instagram, always-on displays for the SE model, and more intuitive app organization. There’s even a contingent pleading for a circular watch design, though that seems unlikely given Apple’s longstanding commitment to the rectangular form.
One dedicated Apple Watch user put it plainly: “Just put the full Health app on the Watch.” It’s a sentiment that echoes a broader desire for deeper functionality and autonomy.
Apple deserves credit for defining the modern smartwatch category. Its challenge now is not just to iterate, but to inspire. Google’s recent moves with the Pixel Watch 4, while not flashy individually, collectively signal a confident direction toward AI-integrated wearables. Apple doesn’t necessarily need to follow the same path, but it does need a renewed vision.
What’s missing isn’t just a list of features, it’s a clear sense of where the Apple Watch is headed. If the present feels stagnant, faith in a compelling future can make the wait feel worthwhile. Without that, upgrades risk feeling like more of the same, and no one gets excited about the status quo.
(Source: The Verge)
