Apple is reportedly planning to upgrade its Apple Watch lineup by integrating 5G connectivity, marking a shift away from the 4G LTE standard for the first time. This transition, supported by MediaTek modems, is part of Apple’s strategy to enhance its wearable devices, including new features for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the move to 5G would bring the Apple Watch in line with the wider mobile industry’s adoption of the technology. Since the introduction of cellular connectivity in the Apple Watch Series 3 in 2017, Apple has relied on 4G LTE. While the company introduced 5G in its iPhone models in 2020, the Apple Watch has yet to follow suit—until now, as the new models are expected to include 5G support.
The shift involves replacing Intel modems with 5G technology from MediaTek, with the new connectivity supporting 5G RedCap, a specialized, lower-speed version of 5G optimized for wearables and IoT devices. This change will provide more efficient performance, suitable for devices like the Apple Watch that don’t require high-speed data transfer.
Additionally, the report hints that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 may introduce a new satellite connectivity feature, further expanding its capabilities.
