Apple Watch Series 4 Models Filed in Eurasian Database Ahead of September Launch

[44267547]

The rumor is a larger display due to a bezel shrink, not because of a physically larger watch. So no change to the bands..

Technically the most concrete rumor was from Ming Kuo with a 15% larger display, which was never actually specified what that meant in terms of reducing the bezels or enlarging the display. Either way, my point behind the comment of retaining the band port was the concern from others that if Apple changed that, that would mean other physical changes to follow, but obviously that’s not suspected to be a major concern at this point.

Another member in the Apple Watch forum claimed that he observed a Series 4 in the Cupertino area and basically it was what a Series 3 was, but just larger. I expect that to be true of the Series 4, as Apple is not really known to make drastic changes to their hardware.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

Whats the advantage to the ceramic?

More scratch resistant and doesn’t dent but it will shatter if dropped

 

[Nismo73]

Even my wallet is ready.

 

[Oldmanmac]

I will wait to see if Apple fixed the bugs from previous models. If not, then I'll just move on.

 

[Mac 128]

The rumor is a larger display due to a bezel shrink, not because of a physically larger watch. So no change to the bands.

While this is likely, it is by no means a guarantee. The watch could be thinner as well, resulting in a change in how the bands attach. Or the watch could be slightly wider.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Technically the most concrete rumor was from Ming Kuo with a 15% larger display, which was never actually specified what that meant in terms of reducing the bezels or enlarging the display. Either way, my point behind the comment of retaining the band port was the concern from others that if Apple changed that, that would mean other physical changes to follow, but obviously that’s not suspected to be a major concern at this point.

Another member in the Apple Watch forum claimed that he observed a Series 4 in the Cupertino area and basically it was what a Series 3 was, but just larger. I expect that to be true of the Series 4, as Apple is not really known to make drastic changes to their hardware.

I think if Apple wanted to increase the physical size of the watch, it would have done so years ago; it sure would have made things easier for them!

But I think a rumor of a larger display implies a bezel shrink, since the rumor wasn’t that the watch itself would be 15% larger, only that the display will be 15% larger. There’s plenty of room to get to the display sizes Kuo has rumored (1.57/1.78”) in the current case. Apple is in bezel-shrink/curved corners mode at the moment, and it seems logical the watch will get the treatment this year.

 

[iFan83]

I will wait to see if Apple fixed the bugs from previous models. If not, then I'll just move on.

May I ask what bugs? I have a Series 3 and it’s been flawless for me, everything works nice and smooth, from automatically unlocking my MBP which is awesome! To Siri, smoothness in the OS, no issues with screen coming on when I want to see the time or display, apps load fast. Series 3 has been great and enjoyable to use. I hold off on the Apple Watch for a long time! I just got it a week and a half ago and wished I bought it a year ago when it first came out. The Heart rate is dam good and accurate and apps like HeartWatch give me great insight. I look forward to what other health improvements Apple brings to the watch.

 

[Boardiesboi]

Getting rid of the Ceramic models or the Hermes models makes sens to me.

They want to have a “prestige” and thats fine, but it makes no real sense to have two of those (on top of the stainless steel model) — Obviously no-one has the sales data apart from Apple, but I can’t see there being that much sense in dividing up the sales demographics on the higher end like that for a decent ROI.

I think it makes more sense to combine the Hermes / Ceramic units into a single SKU as the prestige model instead.

- Regular / Nike ones for those who just want the watch for fitness
- Stainless Steel for those who want a fancier watch
- Ceramic Hermes who want the prestige watch

Maybe they make all of them cellular and the “6 SKUS” are just these in black or white?

I’d buy the hell out of a ceramic Hermès model.

 

[Mac 128]

I think if Apple wanted to increase the physical size of the watch, it would have done so years ago; it sure would have made things easier for them!

Except, no. The smaller and larger sizes of wristwatches fall on the fringe of user demand. Apple is very much a centrist company catering to the largest common denominator. With the launch of the original they captured a small enough size for most women, and a large enough size for most men. They made it rectangular to ease adoption by developers already used to creating rectangular apps they would adapt for the watch. And it was just thick enough not to be too thick, and thick enough to appeal to those who prefer a chunky watch. I'd argue they found the sweet spot and mass produced it. Now that it's successful, they can afford to spend some money to address the the smaller user base demanding choice in a wearable. Thinner, Larger, Round. The original will be around for many years as the Apple's classic "Tank" if you will.

 

[sputnikBA]

Standard
Standard LTE
Nike+
Nike+ LTE
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel LTE
Hermes LTE
Ceramic LTE

Alternatively, the could merge the ceramic / Hermes and scrap the SS non-LTE which would give them the 6 models:

Standard
Standard (LTE)
Nike+
Nike+ (LTE)
Stainless Steel (LTE)
Hermes Ceramic (LTE)

“Eating” the cost on SS and above could encourage more SS up-sell

EDIT: N/M The SS all come with LTE anyway. Gonna stick with my original prediction of 3 models (but 38/42mm for both?)

- Standard / Nike for those who just want it for fitness.
- Stainless Steel for those who want a fancier watch.
- Ceramic Hermes for those who want the prestige watch.

 

[bigandtasty]

So what are we expecting at this event then...
I suspect slightly updated existing things and some speech about “best ever line-up for the holidays”

Expect lots of Mandarin...

 

[VPrime]

Looking forward to the new watch. My series 0 42mm SS recently had the audio and haptic feedback die (still works otherwise). I never realized how much I relied on it for notifications.

Really only want a larger battery and faster heart rate sensor.

 

[naturalstar]

I hope they keep the SGSS. That’s the one I want to get this year.

It will be nice to be able to switch between that and my SS AW3 for this year.

 

[patent10021]

All these mockups always have full screen and no black status bar. There's no way that's going to happen with this version. If it was, the Xcode storyboard would already reflect it. Does it?

 

[ahoydecoy]

As long as I can buy one without being forced to activate it, I agree 100%. I refuse to pay my carrier more money for data I've already purchased once. I could probably swallow a one-time activation fee if I had to though.

This, exactly. When I got my X I agreed to far more data than I would ever need and a far higher monthly fee than I would have ever liked. They sold me on it by saying I could use the data on other devices such as an iPad or watch for free and I was looking at getting a cellular watch when the 4 came out. After I signed the contract I was told this wasn't true and Watch data would be an additional £5 minimum per month. They claim no one would have told me otherwise.

 

[jbizzybeetle]

I hope they keep the SGSS. That’s the one I want to get this year.

It will be nice to be able to switch between that and my SS AW3 for this year.

I was impressed yesterday seeing the SBSS in store. Trying an S3 white ceramic to compare with alum S3, but thinking S4 will be that SBSS. No gray ceramic in display for compare.

UPDATE: Ceramic S3 not delivered, delayed says Apple email, pending per FedX, unavailable in Apple Store online again, will call Apple CS later to see if must cancel and await S4.