The unique Apple Watch was introduced in September 2014, with the precise product launch in April 2015. Whereas we’re getting the Apple Watch Sequence 9 subsequent month, it’s prone to be a really iterative replace. As a substitute, we must always concentrate on what Apple could possibly be doing for the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch, much like what the corporate did with the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, which gave us the iPhone X.
With this in thoughts, 2023 is de facto not the 12 months to anticipate huge options to return to the Apple Watch; that can are available 2024 or 2025, and rumors counsel that this anniversary smartwatch could possibly be known as the “Apple Watch X.”
Assuming the Apple Watch X is as revolutionary for the Apple Watch because the iPhone X was for the iPhone, right here are some things I’d wish to see.
It’s time for a brand new design
There have been rumors up to now a couple of potential refreshed design ever for the reason that Apple Watch Sequence 7. Regardless of these rumors, the appear and feel of the primary Apple Watch by no means modified, although many individuals (together with myself) actually thought it could.
Whereas a redesign wouldn’t have made sense again then, it makes a bit extra sense with a 10th-anniversary model of the wearable. For instance, the iPhone design largely remained the identical all through the years till it hit the 10-year mark, because the iPhone X eradicated the traditional Dwelling button that the iPhone was recognized for up to now decade. If Apple is popping out with an Apple Watch X, then a redesign must be part of it. The Apple Watch, other than the Apple Watch Extremely, has just about seemed the identical 12 months after 12 months. It’s time for a change.
What sort of redesign ought to the Apple Watch X have? That’s positively an unknown. I keep in mind when the Sequence 7 rumors appeared to level to an Apple Watch with flat edges, much like the iPhone 12 fashion. I assumed that seemed form of cool, however I do know that I used to be most likely within the minority on that one.
I feel it could even be neat if Apple Watch went with a round form as an alternative of a sq.. This is able to assist make the Apple Watch look much less like a smartwatch and extra like a standard timepiece, much like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 or Google Pixel Watch. In fact, I do know that may additionally make it more durable to distinguish the Apple Watch from the competitors, however let’s face it — spherical watches positively look extra elegant in the long term.
A extra conventional spherical face would additionally carry us to my second level: using conventional watch bands.
Give us common watch bands …
I’ve been utilizing an Apple Watch for nearly a decade at this level. Over these years, I’ve acquired a reasonably first rate quantity of Apple Watch bands, whether or not they’re from Apple or third-party ones.
Nonetheless, one of many rumors in regards to the Apple Watch X that appears to have popped up is the potential for shifting to a brand new mechanism for attaching bands to the watch. Presently, Apple Watch bands proper now work by sliding into the chassis of the watch case and are locked in place by a particular mechanism. The rumored change could be a magnetic system, in line with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Whereas this new methodology sounds method simpler, it could be yet one more proprietary methodology of band attachment. This is able to imply the previous decade of Apple Watch bands could be rendered incompatible, and in one other 10 years, this magnetic methodology could possibly be incompatible as properly.
I’d actually like to see Apple simply make the Apple Watch X suitable with customary 20mm watch bands, identical to how the Samsung Galaxy Watches have been. Through the use of a normal and common band system, you need to use any 20mm watch band that’s already available on the market, and there are millions of choices. This offers customers extra prospects on types and makes it in order that the band received’t be rendered out of date the subsequent time Apple makes a change to how the band system works.
… or a brand new proprietary band design
Since that is Apple, as a lot as I’d wish to see Apple undertake a common band methodology, that’s extremely unlikely. Let’s face it — it took whole EU laws for Apple to begrudgingly swap over to USB-C on the iPhone 15 in any case (if the rumors are true).
Based on Gurman, Apple could also be altering how the band system works on the Apple Watch X to make the most of a magnetic attachment methodology. If that is true, then I feel it could be an incredible change, although it does render my present band assortment ineffective.
I’ve acquired many alternative bands over time, with lots from Apple and a handful of third-party bands too. I’ve observed that some bands are a bit more durable to slip into the chassis, or the locking mechanism doesn’t at all times “click on.” I’m undecided if that was a problem with the Apple Watch itself or the band I used to be making an attempt to make use of, however both method, in my expertise, it’s at all times 100%.
However a magnetic system sounds lots simpler, particularly if MagSafe on the iPhone has taught me something. With a magnetic attachment system, I’d suppose there could be fewer factors of failure when switching bands out — assuming they’re sturdy sufficient to remain linked throughout exercises and different rigorous actions.
Regardless of being a proprietary methodology, the present Apple Watch band system works fairly properly, with just a few exceptions. I’m certain if Apple is certainly altering the way it works, it’ll get it proper.
Precise wi-fi charging
Ever for the reason that authentic Apple Watch, Apple’s used a proprietary charging puck for its smartwatches. That is truly the case with plenty of smartwatches on the market — most of all of them use some form of proprietary charger that solely works with that system.
It’s time that modified, and I hope Apple does so with the Apple Watch X. I’d like to see the Apple Watch X merely cost up while you place it on high of a Qi-compatible wi-fi charging pad or perhaps a MagSafe charger. That will be a lot extra handy, and also you wouldn’t essentially have to recollect yet one more charger to carry with you when touring.
This might very properly simply be a pipe dream, however hey, it could be an superior one if it was carried out.
Higher battery life
For the primary Apple Watch Sequence, battery life has at all times been round 18-ish hours. That is wonderful, because it will get you thru the day, and up to date fashions even launched sooner charging, so you may high it off faster to have it final by the evening for sleep monitoring.
However with the Apple Watch Extremely, battery life is just about doubled at round 36 hours on a full cost. In fact, the Extremely additionally has the biggest case measurement at 49mm, so it could make sense that Apple can match a bigger battery in there in comparison with one thing smaller, just like the Apple Watch Sequence 8.
Rumors appear to point that the potential swap over to a magnetic band system would imply extra room on the within of the Apple Watch. This might lead to a bigger battery, which might equate to longer battery life.
Now, I actually don’t anticipate the Apple Watch X to have the identical form of battery life because the Extremely, however it could be good to see it get greater than the everyday 18 hours of battery life that we’ve gotten yearly.
New well being sensors and capabilities
If the Apple Watch X is coming, then this might even be the most effective time so as to add new well being sensors and different capabilities. In any case, the Apple Watch is at its finest as a well being and health tracker.
I personally would like to see non-intrusive blood glucose monitoring, although it’s arduous to say how far Apple has include that expertise. This space should be just a few years behind, but when the Apple Watch X comes out in 2025, who is aware of — it may positively be a chance.
One other addition could possibly be the flexibility to watch blood stress or pores and skin temperature throughout the day. Another wearables available on the market are starting so as to add such options, just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch (in choose international locations), so it solely is smart for Apple to catch up there.
Time will inform
A 10-year anniversary of a product is at all times a giant deal, and Apple is aware of this. It launched the iPhone X in honor of 10 years of the iPhone, and it’ll virtually actually do the identical with the Apple Watch. Although the Apple Watch is probably not as “revolutionary” as the unique iPhone, it’s nonetheless a product that has modified the lives of many individuals around the globe.
If the Apple Watch X is coming, it must make a giant splash with adjustments. In any other case, it could simply be one other minor and iterative replace like we’ve been getting — nothing particular. For 10 years of Apple Watch, we deserve one thing wonderful.
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