One leaker claims Apple's long-rumored plans for Touch ID on Apple Watch have been shelved in favor of 'packing in larger batteries' — and as a Garmin main who's recently switched, that's totally fine by me

• Apple has long been rumored to be planning Touch ID on Apple Watches
• These plans have been put on hold, according to leaker Instant Digital
• The leaker says Apple is more focused on improving battery life and health sensors

For some time now, we've been hearing rumors that Touch ID, possibly via the digital crown, would make its way onto the best Apple Watches. But if the latest rumors are correct, don't expect this to be announced anytime soon at this year's WWDC or Apple's September events.

Posting on Weibo (spotted via 9to5Mac), leaker Instant Digital posted that Apple's plans for the Touch ID feature are hokum. They wrote (translated from Chinese via Weibo's native service) that 'currently, claims that wearable devices like the Apple Watch will be equipped with biometric authentication are purely rumors.'

'Apple’s current strategy still prioritizes using the iPhone to unlock other devices via seamless connectivity.'

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It makes a lot of sense to keep the phone as the central hub bringing all your accessories together, but I can see why a Touch ID feature could be tempting. We often hear about the ability of an LTE-capable Apple Watch to act as a 'mini phone' of sorts, keeping your contacts, messages, and wallet all close to hand — pun fully intended — when you leave your house without your phone.

Biometric security is a logical step for LTE models, but it remains a niche use case, especially since the watch already locks itself with a passcode when removed from your wrist.

However, the leaker claims Apple isn't focusing on this right now. They write: 'Apple’s current focus is on packing in larger batteries and relentlessly refining its advanced health sensors. Integrating a fingerprint sensor, at least for now, only adds unnecessary cost and directly encroaches on battery space.'

Focusing on what's important

This is music to my ears. I know Apple Watches well, as I review them every year, but I've recently switched ecosystems to Apple, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 has gone from a testing device to my daily driver.

I would previously switch between the Garmin Fenix 8 and Garmin Venu 4, so I'm used to 10 days between charges. While I love the Apple Watch Ultra series, I won't lie that the need to charge it every couple of days is my biggest annoyance. After the convenience of Garmin's enormous batteries and low power consumption, living with a shorter battery life is an adjustment.

It's great to hear Apple plans to beef up the battery further — and it's good to hear that health sensor accuracy is Apple's priority right now.

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