Apple may add support for Touch ID fingerprint unlocking in future Apple Watch, according to Israeli site The Verifier.
One of the solutions is to use the fingerprint under the screen, but it is not clear whether the related solution will be ready this year. The report says that the related function may appear in Apple Watch Series 7 (2021).
The existing Apple Watch requires the user to enter a PIN to unlock it, and it will automatically lock when the watch is removed from the arm.
In addition to the fingerprint solution under the screen, there is a method similar to adding a fingerprint sensor to the Apple Watch's crown. However, starting from Apple Watch Series 4, relevant devices have been added with the ECG function. The crown panel is often covered with titanium electrodes. Therefore, related designs still face challenges.
In addition to fingerprint recognition, the report states that Siri functionality in watchOS 7 will also be improved, but the report also states that Apple Watch Series 2 (released in 2016) will not be updated to future watchOS 7.
The report expects no major hardware changes for the new Apple Watch, except that it may add some new features (such as Wi-Fi 6) and extend battery life, but its industrial design will remain the same.
The report states that Apple will officially release watchOS 7 at the WWDC 2020 conference in June.
WWDC 2020 is expected to be held online, but Apple has not yet determined the exact date of the conference, and the next generation of Apple Watch is expected to be launched in the fall.
