Zepp Health looks to be prepping the groundwork for solar charging tech inside its main app. We had a look inside the latest APK build (10.5.0), and it shows specific mentions of solar intensity, watch face input power, along with case-back input power.
Of course, this does not guarantee a new watch is dropping tomorrow. Or the day after. But it does suggest the software side is being prepared for hardware that can report some form of light or solar input.
What the app code reveals
Solar references are not entirely new in the Zepp Health app. Earlier builds already contained a few solar related strings and a SolarBatteryChargeRecord. That record included fields like lux, panelType, status, and chargePowerPercent.
This suggests Zepp Health has been laying the groundwork for this feature for quite some time. The latest build appears to move things further by adding more visible, sync facing pieces around solar intensity.
The code now includes references like solar_intensity, what_is_solar_intensity, watch_face_input_power, and case_back_input_power. There is also explanatory text that describes solar intensity as “the instantaneous luminous flux received per unit area on the device’s exposed surface”.
The newer build also includes a SolarIntensityAction inside the device action model. One related event string refers to clicking a solar intensity entrance. This suggests the feature will appear as a tappable menu option somewhere in the device section of the app.
There is also a SolarIntensitySyncJob and a SOLAR_INTENSITY data type. These sit alongside a SUPPORT_SOLAR_INTENSITYflag. This points directly to a feature that depends entirely on compatible hardware.
The mention of watch_face_input_power remains the most interesting part. It suggests the app is preparing to show power input through the front of a watch, which fits a solar assisted display layer perfectly. That does not confirm a specific product, but it points in a very clear direction.
The case_back_input_power reference is still harder to pin down. It could relate to charging diagnostics, internal testing, a unique dock, or a different power path altogether. For now, it appears Zepp Health is building the app framework for hardware that reports light based input.
The strategic alignment for Amazfit
Solar tech makes total sense given the company’s rugged outdoor watches line. Adding a solar layer works as a battery extender rather than a full replacement for a plug-in charger.
This matches how other brands use solar grids to stretch battery life. Garmin dominates this space. It uses its special Power Glass and Power Sapphire lenses to squeeze extra days of watch mode out of its Fenix and Instinct lines.
Garmin packs a see-through photovoltaic layer right between the display and the outer lens. It tracks real-world energy using a solar intensity graph. This setup gives users a clear look at sunlight conditions over the previous few hours.
Suunto uses a similar approach with some of its devices in the Vertical range. It gives outdoor athletes battery gains when they train under direct sunlight.
Why it probably won’t feature an AMOLED screen
This software leak raises a major question about the display. Solar harvesting and vibrant AMOLED panels do not mix well. AMOLED screens are incredibly power hungry, so a tiny solar grid cannot generate enough juice to offset what the screen burns.
Instead, major brands stick to memory in pixel screens for their solar models. Garmin and Suunto use these low power reflective displays because they sip energy and thrive in direct sunlight.
Like other brands, Amazfit builds almost all its current watches with bright AMOLED panels. If Zepp Health wants to make a serious solar watch, it will likely need to ditch that tech for a more efficient display.
The company actually has experience with this setup. Early hits like the Amazfit Bip S relied on reflective transflective screens to deliver legendary battery life. Going back to a reflective screen would make a ton of sense for an extreme adventure watch.
Which means a solar watch would be a return to MIP displays for Zepp Health. On the other hand, Garmin has registered a patent for solar tech on a AMOLED display. If Zepp Health opts for this route it would beat Garmin to the punch as the first smartwatch band with this type of tech.
Potential device candidates
Of course, developers often add code months before a watch goes into production. Sometimes these features stay locked inside prototypes that never launch publicly.
The current code lacks any specific model names or launch dates. It just confirms the engineering team is working on a software layer that hints at this type of functionality. So there is no absolute confirmation this will happen.
But it fits. And the timing fits the broader push into specialized training tools. A solar model would help Zepp Health target the endurance and adventure market.
If this code turns into real hardware, the rugged outdoor lines are the most obvious fit. Big, durable cases provide plenty of room for a solar ring around the display. Perhaps the T-Rex or Falcon line. We are expecting new candidates from both in the months ahead.
There is also a chance this is tied to a new device category rather than a conventional watch. The references to input power leave some room for interpretation.
Until a certification listing or product name appears, this should be treated as an interesting clue rather than confirmation. But it is a clue with enough detail to keep an eye on.
⚠️ An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release.
