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'Apple Watch Pro' Rumored to Feature Larger 47mm Case Size With Flat Display

Doesn't „Pro“ just mean expensive at Apple?

Since Apples „Pro“ watch is build to compete with professional sport smartwatches like the Garmin Fenix, it should feature ANT+ (used by a majority of devices/sensors) and it should also mean that you can connect the HR monitor of this „Pro“ watch to a simple cycling computer like a Wahoo Elemnt - without Apples GymKit.
 
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darthbane2k said:
Of course it will sell. It will infact initially sell out as the enthusiasts will buy anything new. But when the dust settles, if Apple start to introduce new sensors etc only for the Pro Model, leaving the standard exactly the same with very minor incremental updates - it will indeed damage the reputation of the product line.
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The lowest cost Apple Watch already has zero improvements. The reputation of the product line is “If you pay more you get more” and maintaining that doesn’t damage it.
 
the future said:
Compared to the Apple Watch, they really don‘t.
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You've completely missed the point. Apple currently don't sell a premium fitness watch that competes with a top end Garmin. This is likely the segment Apple are aiming for, and that's a good thing!

I have an Epix 2 - 47mm OLED screen with 1 week battery life. It has on device topo mapping and a list of features for athletes just not available on Apple. For example, I have full bike smart-trainer control, from my watch, and can execute custom power based workouts, without needing an accompanying phone, and can collect data from multiple external sensors such as power, cadence, speed, HR & GPS. I can record all that data for longer than the Apple Watch can run on a single charge.

When working in the gym, I can record a strength based workout and 9/10, the watch will identify the correct exercise based on accelerometer movement patterns. No need for multiple apps.

Then, all that data is presented in a single platform for deep analysis later.


I have a 45mm, SS AW S7 which is the best smartwatch with fitness functions, but it's not the best fitness watch - that crown belongs to Garmin, for now.
 
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aibo82 said:
Will never buy an Apple Watch again, the resale value is appalling.

£800 watch I’m being offered £150 for a year and a half later that still isn’t sold after 2 months has put me off ever wanting another!
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I agree - resale sucks! My 45mm SS S7 has been up for sale from 3wks after I bought it last year. I paid $1,150 AU and can't get rid of it. I still have a 44mm SS S5 that I've never been able to sell. I get low-ball offers all the time and I'm tempted to just cut my losses.

The problem is every Apple Watch has exactly the same features. The vast majority of people don't want to pay for the premium materials and will happily take the alu model for 1/4 of the price. More features in the "top" model will ensure better resale prices for those that choose to buy.

I just sold my 2yo Garmin Tactix Delta (51mm) for $750 after paying $1,400 AU, and it sold in less than a day.
 
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Tagbert said:
Wow! I think you would qualify as a “super fan“ and should not consider yourself to be typical.
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Haha, you might be right!!

I do the same with iPhone…I’ve bough the latest model every year for me and my wife since the OG iPhone in 2007.

For the watch, there were noticeable differences between Series 0 through 5 (particularly cellular from S3 onward. Wouldn’t have an AW without cellular).

SOME differences from S5 to S6.

And the screen bump made a big difference from S6 to S7.

Deciding what colors to get, getting up early to pre-order every fall, waiting a week for the new gadgets to arrive, looking for new iPhone cases, etc is just enjoyable for me. The fact that the hardware is the best-of-the-best is just icing on an already tasty cake.

I love being astonished at how much better the camera handles photo and video year-over-year. Love that my AW easily lasts through a marathon, long ocean swim, or 80-mile bike ride. Or how ridiculously fast the M1 iPad Pro is. Neat stuff!!

It really is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year haha!!
 
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theotherphil said:
You've completely missed the point. Apple currently don't sell a premium fitness watch that competes with a top end Garmin. This is likely the segment Apple are aiming for, and that's a good thing!

I have an Epix 2 - 47mm OLED screen with 1 week battery life. It has on device topo mapping and a list of features for athletes just not available on Apple. For example, I have full bike smart-trainer control, from my watch, and can execute custom power based workouts, without needing an accompanying phone, and can collect data from multiple external sensors such as power, cadence, speed, HR & GPS. I can record all that data for longer than the Apple Watch can run on a single charge.

When working in the gym, I can record a strength based workout and 9/10, the watch will identify the correct exercise based on accelerometer movement patterns. No need for multiple apps.

Then, all that data is presented in a single platform for deep analysis later.


I have a 45mm, SS AW S7 which is the best smartwatch with fitness functions, but it's not the best fitness watch - that crown belongs to Garmin, for now.
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And it also features Garmin Pay. Additionally the top Garmin sport smartwatches feature solar charging (30? days of battery life) and Saphire/Titan.

Apple fails here all along the line - The Garmin is worth each penny of the $1000 if you buy a top of the line model like a Fenix 7 or an Epix 2. But there are much cheaper models available the blow the AW out of the water, when it comes to fitness tracking.
 
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theotherphil said:
Well, given Garmin takes the lion share of profit in premium fitness watches, I guess that's where Apple have set their sights.

Not sure they quite understand that market yet though where battery life is already >1 week for Garmin's 47mm OLED "Epic 2". The 51mm Fenix 7 has 213hr max battery with GPS which extends to 578hrs with 3hrs of sunlight per day.
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Garmin Hardware is great. Software not so great IMO
 
theotherphil said:
I've had every model Garmin Fenix including many of the special editions. I am also beta tester for their software.

My experience here is that "support" forums are great places to find people who apparently have problems. Those that are happy, don't tend to post about it so it sorta become an echo chamber. My experience also shows, that many of the issues people are having are user error, not software, or user expectation much greater than the technology currently allows such as:

"How come my GPS tracks are so far off course - I didn't pay $1,000 plus for this performance?". When we dig into their use case it's running through canyons with overhangs and significant tree coverage yet still a) actually gives a track and b) it's less than 10m off actual.

"How come the pulse oximetry doesn't match my medical pulse oximeter - I don't pay $1,000 for performance worse than a $100 chemist device?". a) It's not a medical device, b) it's not certified, c) wrist pulse oximetry is much harder to pull off than finger tip pulse oximetry and d) pulse oximetry on the watch is for altitude acclimation and sleeping (where you're not moving), not running pulse oximetry.

Granted, there are still some issues which are generally fixed very quickly.
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I’ve had many Garmins, starting in 2014. My 245, my heart rate when standing still was 66 or so.,As SOON as I hit the strength training workout, while still standing in place, it would go over 200 immediately. Fast forward to this year, I bought the Venu plus. Pretty accurate so I returned it and bought the Epix.,SAME PROBLEM with the heart rate. Also, my “ stress “ level was 93 everyday and body battery hit 5 ( the lowest) everyday.Not accurate and back to Apple I came.
 
There’s going to be more to this than simply the titanium finish. Wouldn’t be surprised if we see or apple sell some sort of bumper
 
Even Garmin do great and even very stylish sport/smart watches for women now. I just checked them out. Some time ago I had a Garmin, one bulky thing.
Like todays Apple style ~6-8 yrs back or so 😂

Polar or Garmin, who will be the winner? Will know when I buy one, maybe next year.
Many things on the tech-shopping lists…
 
Indianwin2001 said:
I’ve had many Garmins, starting in 2014. My 245, my heart rate when standing still was 66 or so.,As SOON as I hit the strength training workout, while still standing in place, it would go over 200 immediately. Fast forward to this year, I bought the Venu plus. Pretty accurate so I returned it and bought the Epix.,SAME PROBLEM with the heart rate. Also, my “ stress “ level was 93 everyday and body battery hit 5 ( the lowest) everyday.Not accurate and back to Apple I came.
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That’s the other issue with watches that are large. If you don’t have a large wrist, the Watch tends to bounce around and lose contact with your skin, making the sensors less accurate. I will say that, in addition to that, Garmin seems to struggle with their algorithms for certain activities for HR. I found the Fenix 6s was decent for running, but it was bad for walking and strength or interval training. The newest Elevate 4.0 is supposed to be better, but I’d be a little skeptical. Apple just nails the optical HR accuracy the best of any Watch that I’ve ever worn.
 
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PaladinGuy said:
That’s the other issue with watches that are large. If you don’t have a large wrist, the Watch tends to bounce around and lose contact with your skin, making the sensors less accurate. I will say that, in addition to that, Garmin seems to struggle with their algorithms for certain activities for HR. I found the Fenix 6s was decent for running, but it was bad for walking and strength or interval training. The newest Elevate 4.0 is supposed to be better, but I’d be a little skeptical. Apple just nails the optical HR accuracy the best of any Watch that I’ve ever worn.
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Totally agree. Since I’m basically a lifter who throws in a little cardio, the AW works for me. After going through these problems for years with Garmin, I decided to stick with Apple. I trust their software and lost ALL trust in Garmins although I strongly like Garmin Connect app.
 
PaladinGuy said:
That’s the other issue with watches that are large. If you don’t have a large wrist, the Watch tends to bounce around and lose contact with your skin, making the sensors less accurate.
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I asked upthread about this issue but it did not gain any traction. All the posts are about the front of the watch (or the band), but what do we know about the size of the back of the watch so make sure there will not be issues with the sensors.
 
The Apple Watch Pro is shaping up to be the perfect Apple Watch. I've been waiting for a professional-grade version to really take my levels of productivity to new exulted levels.
 
7149041 said:
If they make a bigger watch I'll definitely get it, especially if it's not much thicker. Otherwise I'm happy with my 6.
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Absolutely — I hope it doesn’t get thicker, but the height and width could change. And straight edges could make battery design more efficient.
 
FelixDerKater said:
This will be a nice watch. Will people stay on an annual upgrade cycle with them?
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I don’t think they’ll eever come up with enough features. At some point there’s only so much you can do with a watch…

As it is they’re just slightly increasing screen size…
 
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