Apple Watch 10e – based on today’s iPhone 16e, what might we imply from today’s announcement?

Today’s latest iPhone SE turned out to be called the iPhone 16e. Fair enough. That name makes sense, strangely also lining up with Garmin’s use of the ‘E’ moniker to represent the economy or essential model.

I think it’s a sensible assumption that any new Watch SE later this year will be called the Watch 10e instead. But that’s just a name and of little genuine interest; however, I found three new aspects of the iPhone 16e that indicate the thrusts of Apple’s developments and might indicate similar thrusts to its watch lineup. Here they are

• FindMy via Satellite

The iPhone 16e includes satellite features such as Messages via Satellite, Emergency SOS via Satellite, and FindMy via satellite. This is a compelling set of satellite features, especially for those regularly court of cell range. There are rumours that Apple will add the emergency SOS via satellite feature to its watches. However, I expect Watch Ultra 3 rather than other new Watches this year, will get this feature – ideal for the outdoor adventurers.

Against that, we must also question whether satellite capabilities can be physically integrated into the smaller format watch. Perhaps the rumoured satellite features for the Watch are connected features that somehow piggyback off whichever iPhone you have.

What do you think?

• Apple Intelligence (AI)

I perhaps won’t amaze you with my predictions that Apple will release more AI products. However, its watches do not have internal AI capabilities; rather, they piggyback on your iPhone, for example, by showing AI notifications.

It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Apple’s 2025 Watch chip will have an AI co-processor, but, again, I would expect that to appear first on Watch 11 or Watch Ultra 3 rather than Watch 10e. Such an AI co-processor would probably be focused on Siri-related tasks.

• 5G/RedCap (Reduced Capability), Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO

Apple’s new, in-house 5G-capable C1 modem ends the company’s reliance on Qualcomm’s 5G chips with new claims of market-leading power efficiency.

There is a good chance that the same technology will pass to Watch this year, especially WiFi 6. Again, you have to doubt if that will go to the 10e model; instead, it is more likely to be targeted at the September Watch releases.

Watch 10e Takeout

I doubt anything new today on the iPhone 16e will appear in a few months on Watch 10e (see here: Apple Watch SE 3).

However, assume there will be an SE3/10e model soon. It likely won’t be superseded for 2-3 years, so it must have some updates to keep it relevant for those 3 years. I’m just struggling to think what they would be other than an always-on screen and new oHR chipset.

What do you think?