With the Apple Watch Series 7, Apple is rumored to be changing up the chip manufacturing process, moving to a more advanced double-sided design that allows for a smaller processor. The space freed up as a result could be used in various ways, but including a larger battery in the next Apple Watch is one possibility. Another potential use of the extra room inside might be to add a new type of health sensor.
The Apple Watch gets a processor update every year, which in most cases delivers faster performance and better power efficiency, allowing for more capabilities and quicker handling of user tasks. The battery capacity has remained about the same, around 250 to 300-milliamp-hours for the 40 and 44-millimeter size Apple Watch, respectively. The numbering has mostly followed the series number, however, the first Apple Watch used an S1 chip, and the Series 1, which was actually the second generation of Apple's smartwatch, used an S1P chip. From the Series 2 onward, the chip numbering matched that of the series, with the Apple Watch Series 6 being powered by an Apple S6 processor.
There may be several design changes coming with the Apple Watch Series 7, both inside and out. The latest report from supply chain specialist website Digitimes suggests that the S7 system-on-a-chip (SoC) that is expected to power the Apple Watch Series 7 might be using an advanced double-sided system-in-package manufacturing method. This technique allows the chip to be physically smaller, in some cases reducing the area used by as much as 40-percent. Since the Apple Watch is among the smallest devices made by the company, any extra room may make a big difference. There is the potential, for example, to increase the battery size.
An Apple Watch usually runs all day on a single charge, but there are exceptions. Apple admits that the Series 6 might only last 6-hours if using GPS and LTE during a long outdoor workout, such as hiking or biking for a long time. Taking an extended phone call or series of calls on an Apple Watch for a total of 1.5-hours might be enough to drain a full battery. These are unlikely situations to arise for most owners, but it's an area that could be improved with a greater battery capacity. A larger and potentially higher power battery might also support new sensors.
Apple has patent documents indicating research into sensors that can scan deeper than the current pulse rate sensor. To make light penetrate deeper requires more power. A possible use for this technology is blood glucose monitoring. Also, such a sensor may require more room, another reason to reduce the size of the SoC and other components if possible. Digitimes reports are not always accurate but it does have a fairly good record. Since this aligns well with the blood glucose rumors circulating from various sources, it seems likely that the Apple Watch Series 7 will use a double-sided chip design which leaves room for a bigger battery and/or a new health sensor.
Source: Digitimes
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