Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Why does the rugged Apple Watch not look elegant and premium? 😣
Seeing more and more of this monstrosity makes me feel better that the normal AW 8 will still be an elegant, full-featured device.
Apple going for rugged. For some reason. Sorry.

MacRumors commenters learning the definition of function over fashion.

Just wait until they learn about the Panasonic Toughbook lineup

05qbbsNX35lJdcHcJHI3WDs-1..v1614285202.jpg
 
Are you referring to me? Seems that way since I just replied to you above.

I am called an Apple apologist here 24/7. And I don't see a complaint in my post either. Heck if mine is a complaint, then so is the post of yours I was replying to.

No I wasn't referring to you and don't possibly see how you anyone could interpret your comment as a complaint.
 
I always wanted a rugged Apple Watch as I work for a water company and my poor Apple Watch has taken a battering from where I put my arms down water meter chambers in the ground, however the rumours for this Apple Watch look really disappointing for one glaring obvious reason…

The screen! On traditional rugged watches the screen is recessed a little with a tough surrounding material to take the brunt of impacts, on the Apple Watch Pro it appears that it will be a flush screen which means it is still exposed to knocks and things that will scratch it up good.

Luckily I’ve not broken an Apple Watch screen but both my previous Series 3 and my current Series 6 ended up scratched up like mad. By comparison my previous Garmin Instinct with its recessed screen the screen stayed perfect not a mark on it, I also had a Casio Tough Solar before and that thing looked like it had been in a war zone but again the screen was perfect because it was recessed.

Not having a recessed screen on a “rugged” watch seems like a massive design oversight in my opinion.
 

Attachments

  • 69DD7D7E-E7FD-4E7A-B2A5-1912D1BCDE13.jpeg
    69DD7D7E-E7FD-4E7A-B2A5-1912D1BCDE13.jpeg
    368.8 KB · Views: 57
  • Like
Reactions: ascender
I always wanted a rugged Apple Watch as I work for a water company and my poor Apple Watch has taken a battering from where I put my arms down water meter chambers in the ground, however the rumours for this Apple Watch look really disappointing for one glaring obvious reason…

The screen! On traditional rugged watches the screen is recessed a little with a tough surrounding material to take the brunt of impacts, on the Apple Watch Pro it appears that it will be a flush screen which means it is still exposed to knocks and things that will scratch it up good.

Luckily I’ve not broken an Apple Watch screen but both my previous Series 3 and my current Series 6 ended up scratched up like mad. By comparison my previous Garmin Instinct with its recessed screen the screen stayed perfect not a mark on it, I also had a Casio Tough Solar before and that thing looked like it had been in a war zone but again the screen was perfect because it was recessed.

Not having a recessed screen on a “rugged” watch seems like a massive design oversight in my opinion.
Yeah, even with a stronger glass, the screen of the “Pro” watch will scratch just as bad. There are actual cases that go around the current apple watch which will protect the glass better by making it more recessed.
 
The best improvements to the Apple watch would be easily repairable screens and batteries. No need to throw away a perfectly good watch just because it can't hold a charge or is cracked. It's a watch, it shouldn't be obsolete for a very long time.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: applewatchpro
Ha! Right? I’m a big guy, so a larger Apple Watch would work for me. But my gf already uses their smallest watch & definitely doesn’t want a larger one. She‘s very active in sports tho and would want the more rugged features. Hope Apple releases the Pro in two sizes. Not everyone wants a huge watch on their wrist.
It's almost as if, this one model isn't meant for everyone :eek:
 
It's almost as if, this one model isn't meant for everyone :eek:
Well yeah… duh. But my point was that this “Pro” watch is obviously being geared towards more physically active users by incorporating a more robust design. But not EVERYONE who is more active wants a bigger watch. So it’d be nice if they release 2 sizes in the more rugged Pro watch just like they do the regular watch. Duh. 🤦‍♂️
 
Well yeah… duh. But my point was that this “Pro” watch is obviously being geared towards more physically active users by incorporating a more robust design. But not EVERYONE who is more active wants a bigger watch. So it’d be nice if they release 2 sizes in the more rugged Pro watch just like they do the regular watch. Duh. 🤦‍♂️
Well that's just too bad. And not how it works. Every time Apple is able to produce new features that are enabled by a new device design/size, people like you complain about why those same features are not (magically) coming to the model they want to purchase.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: DarkCole
Apple - Makes a new, larger watch with new, larger bands to fit the watch. Will also offer the current size watch to fit all current bands.

MacRumors members - Complain no matter what.
Everyone that either can't afford it or can't see themselves wearing one this large is going to complain about how good it is. It's like the people who complain about the 16" MacBook Pro 😆
 
If:
- It truly is as large as we're seeing (49mm).
- This CAD rendering is accurate

Then yes, it is a given that this new model is going to have its own unique size of wider bands. Just look at it.
 
Well that's just too bad. And not how it works. Every time Apple is able to produce new features that are enabled by a new device design/size, people like you complain about why those same features are not (magically) coming to the model they want to purchase.
Um… first of all if you actually read my post, I wasn’t complaining. I’m a big guy who’s very active, and I welcome a bigger watch. I was simply making a point that not all extreme athletes want a watch with a bigger face. Case in point my gf who is rather petite but still into extreme sports. She already uses the smaller size regular apple watch, so a pro watch with a face bigger than the big regular watch will be too big for her. I was simply hoping for my gf & others like her, that Apple eventually releases a more rugged watch in a smaller size as well. They do it with the Pro iPhones & the Pro iPads… so why not the Pro Watches? How is that complaining? This is a forum. We discuss here. You are the one who seems upset. Not me.
 
I was simply making a point that not all extreme athletes want a watch with a bigger face.
I get it, but all that really translates to is "I want x features on x size device" which is perhaps the most repetitive (and pointless) form of discussion on this forum.
 
Um… first of all if you actually read my post, I wasn’t complaining. I’m a big guy who’s very active, and I welcome a bigger watch. I was simply making a point that not all extreme athletes want a watch with a bigger face. Case in point my gf who is rather petite but still into extreme sports. She already uses the smaller size regular apple watch, so a pro watch with a face bigger than the big regular watch will be too big for her. I was simply hoping for my gf & others like her, that Apple eventually releases a more rugged watch in a smaller size as well. They do it with the Pro iPhones & the Pro iPads… so why not the Pro Watches? How is that complaining? This is a forum. We discuss here. You are the one who seems upset. Not me.

I think it might’ve tough to produce a smaller watch since battery life will be one of the core features. The bump out on the side might give more battery space, but a pro model smaller than the 45mm Apple Watch would still be expected to have greater battery life than a 45mm Apple Watch. I’m aware that Garmin has pulled it off with their ‘S’ watches, but their OS is much more lightweight.
 
MacRumors commenters learning the definition of function over fashion.

Just wait until they learn about the Panasonic Toughbook lineup

05qbbsNX35lJdcHcJHI3WDs-1..v1614285202.jpg
Hey cool, we’re famous 🤣 lol

Can you please teach us about function and fashion? I’m not sure we understand a gosh darn anything about anything.

What is Panasonic? Can they connect to satellites like in the movie I saw once with the signing gorilla back in the 90’s?

Thanks. Cheers.
 
Hope Apple will also make "smart band" with this new watch pro. Band with battery or enhanced fitness tracking could be cool if the band connector would allow it directly.

It would also be the perfect time to announce it since the new band will not be compatible with old watches.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.