The Apple Watch could get an always-on low-power mode in the upcoming watchOS 9, which is also expected to expand its existing health features. Apple expects to release watchOS 9 at WWDC in June, a new report that says it will include health and battery level diagnostics, as well as an update to the watch’s dial shape.
According to Bloomberg, watchOS 9 will introduce a new low-power mode. Currently, if the user chooses to enable it, Power Reserve mode automatically enters the mode when the battery drops to 10%.
Power reserve mode turns off all the features of the Apple Watch, except time. Under watchOS 9, however, a low-power mode will allow the watch to continue running certain applications.
This new mode is likely to be similar to the iPhone’s low-power features, in addition to which it can also reduce screen brightness.
WatchOS 9 may also reportedly expand current health features related to atrial fibrillation. While the features of this release are uncertain, when it does, it will be used to monitor how often a person is in a state of atrial fibrillation during a specific period of time.
As previously reported, this upgrade will not have the long-awaited blood pressure monitoring function. However, the new report also says that Apple will add more types of exercise on the Apple Watch, as well as more running metrics.
Apple’s upcoming watchOS 9 is also expected to see many of the aesthetic styling designs with the new dial being refreshed in some way. In terms of hardware, Apple is expected to launch three new products in 2022 and retire the Apple Watch Series 3.