As soon as upon a time, rumors of an overhauled Apple Watch with a flat design circled the net across the time the Sequence 7 was because of arrive. Regardless of that rumor’s persistence, it by no means materialized, and all we acquired on the time was a barely bigger Sequence 6. Historical past tends to repeat itself, and Apple watchers will recall the same rumor forward of this 12 months’s Sequence 10 launch. Respected leakers had urged that 2024’s Apple Watch would function probably the most vital overhaul but, just for the Sequence 10 to comply with within the Sequence 7’s footsteps. So, what offers?
What we anticipated
Identical to the iPhone X, the Apple Watch Sequence X—because it was rumored to be known as—was anticipated to mark a significant milestone for Apple’s decade-old wearable. It was rumored to carry 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 significant redesign.
The Apple Watch Sequence 7 was as soon as rumored to get a significant redesign.
The Apple Watch Sequence 7 was as soon as rumored to get a significant redesign.
Past the superficial adjustments, preliminary rumors pointed to the addition of a blood stress monitor, which might alert customers when it detects hypertension. This might’ve additional enriched the Apple Watch’s health-related capabilities and probably 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 fun the event via the sleeker type issue and new well being sensor. Expectations have been excessive main into the occasion for probably the most vital Apple Watch overhaul ever.
What we acquired as a substitute
In fact, that didn’t occur. All we acquired 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 but it surely boils all the way 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 sophisticated smartwatch by even 1mm isn’t any straightforward process, however calling it an all-new design is just a little disingenuous—particularly when rumors have been claiming there would truly be an all-new design.
The Apple Watch Sequence 10 is good, but it surely’s hardly an all-new design.
The Apple Watch Sequence 10 is good, but it surely’s hardly an all-new design.
Apple
The Apple Watch Sequence 10 is good, but it surely’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 approach. In Apple’s protection, nonetheless, the brand new titanium variants are considerably lighter than their (now-retired) stainless-steel counterparts, regardless of sharing the identical outer look. (And let’s not overlook that earlier Apple Watch Editions have been accessible in titanium.)
Within the well being division, blood stress monitoring is a no-show, reportedly because of some engineering difficulties. In the meantime, Apple hasn’t managed to seek out a substitute for its blood-oxygen sensor, which it now not provides within the U.S. because of a patent dispute. The sensor is presumably included on the Sequence 10 however disabled, besides, there’s no indication that Apple will swap it on anytime quickly.
And whereas the Apple Watch Sequence 10 will be capable of detect sleep apnea, the function gained’t be unique, because the Sequence 9 and Extremely 2 will provide it, too. In brief, Apple’s 2024 smartwatch takes a step backward relating to well being monitoring.
Excluding the Extremely, the Apple Watch hasn’t actually modified a lot since its 2015 launch.
Excluding the Extremely, the Apple Watch hasn’t actually modified a lot since its 2015 launch.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Excluding 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 while 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, definitely. 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 just a few measurement will increase and bezel reductions. Nevertheless, its construct has largely remained unchanged, and the best way we work together with it hasn’t developed a lot. And no, the double-tap gesture will not be 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 attainable Apple mark the tenth anniversary with a brand new mannequin in 2025. This might be via a particular version with these rumored magnetic band attachments and an additional slimming of the Apple Watch’s measurement that forgoes a number of the higher-end well being options. In any case, the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to make its debut with a concentrate on its ultra-thin physique moderately than high-end options, and Apple might go for the same strategy with its smartwatch, permitting clients to decide on between a classy design or high-end options.
In the end, it’s too early to guess what merchandise we’ll see subsequent 12 months. Plans change, prototypes get axed, and AirPowers get ceaselessly locked in underground basements. What I do know for positive, although, is that I gained’t be falling for Apple Watch design change leaks going ahead.