Apple is reportedly making significant changes to how the company’s next-generation smartwatch looks and functions, potentially hinting at one of the biggest Apple Watch redesigns in years. The rumoured revamp comes amid increasing competition for Apple in the U.S. wearable market from Samsung, Google, Garmin and other brands. If the redesign comes to fruition, it would represent a big shift for a product that has been slowly evolving since the original Apple Watch debuted in 2015.
Apple Watch redesign may change familiar look
For years, the Apple Watch has stuck to a largely familiar design, even as Apple has added larger displays, thinner bezels, new materials and more advanced health features.
A major redesign could alter the overall shape, the thickness of the case, the display structure, or how the band attaches. Apple has historically preferred incremental hardware updates, so something more of a visual overhaul would buck recent generations.
A slimmer design could be a major improvement
The most talked about possibility is a thinner and more refined chassis. Apple has already trimmed down some of its devices, and similar engineering changes could eventually make their way to the Apple Watch.
A more streamlined body may make the smartwatch more comfortable to wear all day and track sleep. But Apple would need to trade off any reduction in thickness for battery capacity, durability, sensors and internals.
New Display Upgrades Make the Watch Feel Like New
Another area where Apple could make meaningful changes is display. The next Apple Watch could look substantially different without growing much larger overall, thanks to bigger active screen areas, thinner bezels, greater brightness and more efficient display technology.
U.S. users who use the Watch for notifications, fitness tracking, navigation and messaging would like a larger usable display but it still needs to be small enough for a wearable device.
Health Features Still a Key Part of Apple Watch Strategy
Health and wellness have become a big part of the Apple Watch identity. Current models already feature heart-rate monitoring, ECG measurements on supported devices, fall detection, sleep tracking and activity monitoring.
Future hardware may add health-related capabilities, but until Apple announces the rumoured sensors, they should not be considered confirmed. In the United States, new health features may need regulatory review before they can be marketed for certain medical uses.
Battery Life Will Be Watched Closely
A major overhaul will also raise questions about battery performance. Apple Watch users have been asking for more battery life for a long time, especially as the device gains more health monitoring and always-on features.
Better processors, more efficient displays and redesigned internal components could improve endurance. Apple could also continue to differentiate its standard Watch models from the Apple Watch Ultra, which is aimed at users who want longer battery life and rugged performance.
New watch design may affect existing watch straps
A big worry with any major redesign of the Apple Watch is compatibility with previous bands. Apple has a fairly consistent band ecosystem across multiple generations so a lot of users can reuse straps when upgrading.
The company could change the attachment mechanism or the case dimensions significantly and some existing accessories might not fit. That’s a big consideration for customers who have purchased multiple Apple Watch bands over the years.
Sources
- Apple – Official Apple Watch specs, health features, pricing and product announcements
- Bloomberg – Reporting on Apple hardware development and possible Apple Watch redesigns
- MacRumors – Apple Watch leaks, supply-chain reports and coverage of future hardware shifts
- 9to5Mac – Apple Watch design, software, and product development.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Regulatory information on medical and health functions used in wearable devices
