It’s been over five years since I switched my loyalty from a Galaxy Watch to an Apple Watch. Though there have been some frustrating moments along the way, the watchOS has managed to hold my fascination intact. Whether it’s the tight ecosystem integration, health tracking, or the polished user interface, the OS has got most bases covered to stake the claim of being the best in the business.
However, with Wear OS 5 packing a pretty solid punch on several key fronts, including customization, watchOS can’t run away with the title anymore. Having played around with my wife’s Galaxy Watch 7 for quite some time, I think I’m qualified enough to talk about what’s happening on the other side of the spectrum.
Here are five Wear OS 5 features that Apple should seriously consider adopting in its upcoming watchOS 12.
1. Smarter, More Customizable Watch Faces
Wear OS 5 gives users greater control over watch face customization, not just in aesthetics but in functionality. Google’s system allows users to add third-party complications that are deeply interactive, providing quick toggles, real-time updates, and even mini-app capabilities right on the face. In contrast, watchOS has been slower to open up watch face customization.
Most faces remain fairly locked down, and Apple continues to limit third-party options. For watchOS 12, Apple could loosen its grip just a bit, giving users more freedom to personalize their experience while retaining the clean, consistent design it’s known for.
2. Extended Battery Life with Adaptive Modes
Battery life has always been a pain point for Apple Watch users, especially when compared to competitors that last days on a single charge. Wear OS 5 introduces adaptive battery modes that intelligently manage power based on usage patterns. It can switch to low-power modes automatically without completely disabling key functions.
This balance between longevity and functionality is something Apple desperately needs to address. With watchOS 12, the inclusion of smarter battery profiles—possibly AI-powered—could reduce the frequency of daily charging while still offering a full smartwatch experience.
3. Seamless Third-Party App Integration
Wear OS has become more open to third-party developers, allowing them to create apps that feel native and offer deep system-level integration. Apps like Spotify, WhatsApp, and Google Maps now work seamlessly, with offline support and full-featured functionality.
While the Apple Watch has a strong app ecosystem, many third-party apps on watchOS feel limited or lack meaningful independence from the iPhone. For watchOS 12, Apple should aim to empower developers with more tools and APIs, letting their apps do more on the Watch itself—even when the iPhone is out of reach.
4. Richer Notifications and Quick Reply Options
Wear OS 5 has made major strides in how notifications are handled. Messages can be previewed in full, images render beautifully, and quick replies now include smart suggestions, voice input, and even handwriting recognition. Apple’s notification system, while clean, feels a bit basic in comparison.
With watchOS 12, Apple could introduce richer, more interactive notification experiences, allowing users to respond to messages, emails, and app alerts in more dynamic and context-aware ways. Support for more messaging platforms with richer media previews would also go a long way.
5. Advanced Fitness Tracking with Cross-Platform Sync
Google Fit in Wear OS 5 now syncs more efficiently across Android, iOS, and the web, making it easier to track progress regardless of device. It’s also adopting more advanced tracking metrics that appeal to casual users and athletes alike. Apple’s Health ecosystem is robust, but it’s still very Apple-centric.
With watchOS 12, Apple could benefit from loosening its ecosystem walls slightly—perhaps by introducing limited support for syncing health data across platforms or improving export capabilities. Additionally, deeper workout insights, like recovery tracking and AI-driven fitness recommendations, could help close the gap.
Signing off…
Apple has built a dominant platform with watchOS, but that doesn’t mean it can afford to ignore what’s happening in the broader wearable space. Wear OS 5 is shaping up to be Google’s most mature and capable smartwatch platform yet, and it’s delivering features that users are starting to expect.
If Apple wants to keep the Apple Watch at the top of the game, watchOS 12 needs to be more open, more intelligent, and more adaptable, starting by borrowing a few smart ideas from the competition.
