A new report claiming to detail Apple’s product plans for 2025 says that there will be revisions to the Apple Watch range that include satellite communications, plus new features for AirTags and AirPods.
While there was no update to the Apple Watch Ultra in 2024, a new version is now expected in 2025, according to Bloomberg. It will remain the same as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 visually, but as previously rumored, bring with it satellite connectivity. The new report doesn’t add any detail, but it’s likely that the feature will be similar to the original Emergency SOS via Satellite that was introduced with the iPhone 14 and allowed brief text messages to be sent to first responders.
It’s also claimed that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will gain 5G RedCap (Reduced Capacity) network access. This is like a lite version of 5G which needs fewer components such as antennas, and has better power efficiency.
This means 5G RedCap is suited to wearables like the Apple Watch Ultra, which are battery-powered, and unlikely to need more than occasional 5G access.
While 5G RedCap and satellite connectivity are said to be exclusive to the next Apple Watch Ultra, there is a feature that will come to both that and the Apple Watch Series 11. It’s expected that high blood pressure detection will be added to both watches.
Just as with the Apple Watch Ultra, it’s believed that there will be no clearly visible redesign to the Apple Watch Series 11. However, it is now rumored that the lower-cost Apple Watch SE will get a new design.
More health features
Alongside the high blood pressure detection in the Apple Watch, it’s reported that there will be heart-rate monitoring in the next generation of AirPods. Those will include other unspecified health sensors, which have previously been predicted to be for temperature measuring.
The new health sensors will feed their results into what’s now expected to be a revamped health app. There may also be an AI-based coaching service, presumably presenting health and exercise advice.
There is now also expected to be a redesign for AirTags, the hardware of which has been entirely unchanged since their debut in 2021. The new report has no further details, but other recent rumors have said that the chief difference in AirTags 2 will be increased range and better location tracking.
