As soon as upon a time, rumors of an overhauled Apple Watch with a flat design circled the online across the time the Sequence 7 was as a result of arrive. Regardless of that rumor’s persistence, it by no means materialized, and all we received on the time was a barely bigger Sequence 6. Historical past tends to repeat itself, and Apple watchers will recall an identical rumor forward of this yr’s Sequence 10 launch. Respected leakers had urged that 2024’s Apple Watch would characteristic probably the most important overhaul but, just for the Sequence 10 to comply with within the Sequence 7’s footsteps. So, what provides?
What we anticipated
Similar to the iPhone X, the Apple Watch Sequence X—because it was rumored to be known as—was anticipated to mark a serious milestone for Apple’s decade-old wearable. It was rumored to deliver radical adjustments, together with a brand new flatter design with a a lot thinner case together with a brand new magnetic band attachment mechanism.
The Apple Watch Sequence 7 was as soon as rumored to get a serious redesign.
The Apple Watch Sequence 7 was as soon as rumored to get a serious redesign.
The Apple Watch Sequence 7 was as soon as rumored to get a serious redesign.
Past the superficial adjustments, preliminary rumors pointed to the addition of a blood strain monitor, which might alert customers when it detects hypertension. This might’ve additional enriched the Apple Watch’s health-related capabilities and doubtlessly helped affected customers develop into conscious of the underlying medical circumstances.
Provided that Tim Prepare dinner unveiled the primary Apple Watch as a One Extra Factor precisely a decade earlier than the Glowtime occasion, it made sense for Apple to have a good time the event via the sleeker type issue and new well being sensor. Expectations had been excessive main into the occasion for probably the most important Apple Watch overhaul ever.
What we received as an alternative
After all, that didn’t occur. All we received was an incremental Apple Watch Sequence 10 improve with only a few significant new options.
Whereas the iPhone maker claims that the Sequence 10 options an all-new design, our eyes see in any other case. The general case nonetheless seems an identical to its latest predecessors. Apple could boast a few 10-percent thinner construct nevertheless it boils right down to only a single millimeter in comparison with the Sequence 9 (10.7mm to 9.7mm) that many customers gained’t discover. I acknowledge that slimming down a complicated smartwatch by even 1mm isn’t any simple activity, however calling it an all-new design is just a little disingenuous—particularly when rumors had been claiming there would really be an all-new design.
The Apple Watch Sequence 10 is good, nevertheless it’s hardly an all-new design.
The Apple Watch Sequence 10 is good, nevertheless it’s hardly an all-new design.
Apple
The Apple Watch Sequence 10 is good, nevertheless it’s hardly an all-new design.
Apple
Apple
Past that, the aluminum fashions are actually round two grams lighter, which gained’t actually influence your life in any means. In Apple’s protection, nevertheless, the brand new titanium variants are considerably lighter than their (now-retired) chrome steel counterparts, regardless of sharing the identical outer look. (And let’s not neglect that earlier Apple Watch Editions had been out there in titanium.)
Within the well being division, blood strain monitoring is a no-show, reportedly as a result of some engineering difficulties. In the meantime, Apple hasn’t managed to seek out an alternative choice to its blood-oxygen sensor, which it now not presents within the U.S. as a result of a patent dispute. The sensor is presumably included on the Sequence 10 however disabled, besides, there’s no indication that Apple will change it on anytime quickly.
And whereas the Apple Watch Sequence 10 will have the ability to detect sleep apnea, the characteristic gained’t be unique, because the Sequence 9 and Extremely 2 will supply it, too. Briefly, Apple’s 2024 smartwatch takes a step backward relating to well being monitoring.
Apart from the Extremely, the Apple Watch hasn’t actually modified a lot since its 2015 launch.
Apart from the Extremely, the Apple Watch hasn’t actually modified a lot since its 2015 launch.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Apart from the Extremely, the Apple Watch hasn’t actually modified a lot since its 2015 launch.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Jim Martin / Foundry
In any other case, the Sequence 10 unleashes a brand new built-in speaker, permitting Apple Watch customers to blast music or podcasts with out utilizing AirPods—which is ok however please don’t once you’re in public. It additionally borrows different Apple Watch Extremely 2 perks, such because the depth gauge (with some limitations) and water temperature sensor.
Is it a notable improve for somebody coming from a Sequence 6? Sure, unquestionably. However does it take the identical large leap ahead because the iPhone X and undertake groundbreaking adjustments to mark the last decade? Removed from that.
Is there any hope?
I discover it irritating that we’ve now gone via two rounds of main Apple Watch redesign rumors that didn’t come to fruition. Whereas Apple has notably improved the smartwatch’s aesthetics all through the years, it finally nonetheless seems the identical. We’ve clearly gone via a number of measurement will increase and bezel reductions. Nevertheless, its construct has largely remained unchanged, and the best way we work together with it hasn’t advanced a lot. And no, the double-tap gesture just isn’t it.
Nonetheless, I nonetheless have some hope. Whereas the Apple Watch was introduced in September 2014, it didn’t go on sale till April 2015. So, it’s doable Apple mark the tenth anniversary with a brand new mannequin in 2025. This may very well be via a particular version with these rumored magnetic band attachments and an additional slimming of the Apple Watch’s measurement that forgoes among the higher-end well being options. In spite of everything, the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to make its debut with a give attention to its ultra-thin physique slightly than high-end options, and Apple might go for the same method with its smartwatch, permitting prospects to decide on between a classy design or high-end options.
Finally, it’s too early to guess what merchandise we’ll see subsequent yr. Plans change, prototypes get axed, and AirPowers get endlessly locked in underground basements. What I do know for certain, although, is that I gained’t be falling for Apple Watch design change leaks going ahead.
