Apple Watch 11e – 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, and it also aligns 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 11e instead. However, that’s just a name and of little genuine interest; nonetheless, I found three new aspects of the iPhone 16e that indicate the direction of Apple’s developments and might suggest similar trends in its watch lineup. Here they are
FindMy via Satellite
The iPhone 16e features satellite capabilities, including Messages via Satellite, Emergency SOS via Satellite, and Find My via Satellite. This is a compelling set of satellite features, especially for those regularly out of cell range. There are rumours that Apple will add the emergency SOS via satellite feature to its watches. However, I expect the Watch Ultra 3, rather than other new watches this year, to have this feature, which is ideal for outdoor adventurers.
On the other hand, 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 probably won’t amaze you with my predictions that Apple will release more AI products. However, its watches do not have internal AI capabilities; instead, they leverage your iPhone, for example, by displaying AI notifications.
It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Apple’s 2025 Watch chip will have an AI co-processor, but I would expect it to appear first on the Watch 11 or Watch Ultra 3 rather than the Watch 11e. Such an AI co-processor would likely focus on Siri-related tasks.
5G/RedCap (Reduced Capability), WiFi 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 whether that will be adopted for the 11e model; instead, it is more likely to be targeted at the September Watch releases.
Watch 11e Takeout
I doubt anything new today on the iPhone 16e will appear in a few months on the Watch 11e (see here: Apple Watch SE 3).
However, assume there will be an SE3/11e model soon. It is unlikely to be superseded for 2-3 years, so it must undergo some updates to remain relevant for that period. I’m struggling to think of what else they could be, other than an always-on screen and a new oHR chipset.
1 thought on “Apple Watch 11e – today’s iPhone 16e suggests new Watch features are incoming.”
I’m more interested in something functional and useful: always on display in night stand.
Actually, my wife is. She owns an Apple watch and would like to ditch her alarm clock, but can’t yet, because night stand is half baked. Having to wave your arm in front of the watch to light up the display is not very appealing in winter. Or any time of the year. You just want to look at it to see the time.
I’m more interested in something functional and useful: always on display in night stand.
Actually, my wife is. She owns an Apple watch and would like to ditch her alarm clock, but can’t yet, because night stand is half baked. Having to wave your arm in front of the watch to light up the display is not very appealing in winter. Or any time of the year. You just want to look at it to see the time.