Apple Watch Series 8 Rumored to Feature New Design With Flat Display

[Robert.Walter]

To my mind the sharp radius slab sides look like they would catch on things and, if they extended to the underside of the Watch, be uncomfortable if pressed into the skin.

That said, the slab sides up at the display may offer another 1mm of display size in same outer package.

Ultimately, I think it would be cool to have a taller curved case like the old Gruen Curvex.

 

[Complex757]

I'm more interested in the standard colors. With my current battery life, I'll have to get a 8.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I wish they'd make a round one.

AW's are just too much "computer on the wrist" looking, at least to me.

Nothing stylish and classic about it at all.

 

[FelixDerKater]

Another year, another sharp-edged watch rumor?

 

[tridley68]

If it comes in45mm screen I will gladly trade in my series7 45mm

 

[ponzicoinbro]

With high end watches you have to have some kind of curvature on glass to increase its strength. Either along the edges or across the surface.

Completely flat glass is easier to crack.

Watch makers discovered this 10 generations ago.

 

[0lf]

Rumor : AirPods pro 3 will have flat edges 🤪

 

[JosephAW]

They’ll probably come out with a round flat watch and call it a new feature

 

[CalMin]

With high end watches you have to have some kind of curvature on glass to increase its strength. Either along the edges or across the surface.

Completely flat glass is easier to crack.

Watch makers discovered this 10 generations ago.

View attachment 2006544

Not completely true. Many Rolex watches (explorer, datejust, etc) have flat crystals. I have a Milgauss and it's completely flat as well.

 

[wyarp]

A flat design would not be very ergonomic :/

 

[marinersaptcomplex]

Hmmm actually, while I still am steadfast that this won't replace the S7 design, I might buy it if it was offered as a "rugged" version.

I assume the build quality and materials used would immediately make it look more premium and "Apple", so I don't think it would be generic looking. I just hope it doesn't require completely new straps...

 

[CC77]

Joining the "I don't like this, personally" crowd. I guess maybe I could change my mind once the thing's released and looking at actual product images but based off these renders and my own preferences I don't love it...It'd have to be reallly thin to work imo

 

[Avalanche66]

Just call it the “Watch Pro” charge an extra $20. And keep the SE, and the series 7 at $350

 

[GuruZac]

It's that time of the year again. The time where the flat edged redesign rumors start popping up.

Like it or not, the S7 was a redesign. Apple could pull a fast one a redesign the S8, but historically they have only made small design language changes to the AW, and on a ~3 year cycle:

S0 -> S3 (2.5 years): 42mm
S4 -> S6 (3 years): 44mm
S7: 45mm

The S7 45 looks incredible. It’s distinctively Apple Watch with a near bezel-less design. I’m upgrading my AWS5 44 to whatever large size comes out this year…hopefully the rumored rugged watch.

 

[JGIGS]

A new look might be enough to get me to upgrade. Was planning on otherwise just getting a new battery in my series 5.

I'm still rocking a series 3 so ya I'm in as well if this redesign happens.

 

[ponzicoinbro]

Not completely true. Many Rolex watches (explorer, datejust, etc) have flat crystals. I have a Milgauss and it's completely flat as well.

That doesn’t fact check my post. Less curvature easier to break, a bit more curvature harder to break. Look carefully at wording.

 

[Robert.Walter]

I wish they'd make a round one.

AW's are just too much "computer on the wrist" looking, at least to me.

Nothing stylish and classic about it at all.

Traditional watches were round because of the fixed length of hands.

Most every display not dependent upon mechanical hands is not circular because when displaying information a circular cuts off useful real estate.

Books and newspapers have a portrait format for the same reason.

There’s a reason TV’s evolved from round to landscape shapes.

Round on the wrist was a confining format suited to unflexible and feature limited mechanical devices.

Why burden modern information display with an outdated and inappropriate format? (Yes other brands use round but this is largely for differentiation as it confers no performance benefit.)

 

[turbineseaplane]

Traditional watches were round because of the fixed length of hands.

Great - that will look better, even digitally (especially with analog faces)

Round simply looks more elegant and stylish.

Watches are fashion accessories for a lot of folks.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Great - that will look better, even digitally (especially with analog faces)

Round simply looks more elegant and stylish.

Watches are fashion accessories for a lot of folks.

One of the most elegant watches was the Gruen Curvex. This was a portrait format shape.

Round = Elegant = Stylish is merely a marketing meme pushed by mechanical watchmakers since forever.

Lots of advertising dollars spent and ink spilled to solidly ingrain an traditional shape as an aspirational desire in the public consciousness.

It’s about as solid foundationally as “a diamond is forever”. But works because humans like to preen, but they don’t have feathers, so mad men are all to happy to offer them substitutes.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Round = Elegant = Stylish is merely a marketing meme pushed by mechanical watchmakers since forever.

Well, "it worked" I guess

All of the watches I find elegant and beautiful are "not square", lets just say that.

Lets you and I agree to disagree.

 

[Htsi]

I don’t mind the shape of the display, flat edges though would be quite a departure from the more rounded curves presentation during s7

 

[satchmo]

Folks, you keep forgetting that we‘re supposed to get 3 new models this year: Series 8, new SE and a brand new S8 Explorer (rugged). And just one of them (probably) will get that flat look. So yes, Apple will not bin the S7 „even rounder“ redesign after just one year. They‘ll keep it and add another, very different design for one of the other two models.

My guess:

S8R will be could be similar to this rendering but likely flatter, rugged and extended battery. Same larger edge to edge display.

S8 will be exactly like S7 with a new temp sensor and battery bump.

SE will be same as current with added always on display.

 

[_Spinn_]

I'm not falling for this again. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[twolf2919]

I've gotten into a groove where I upgrade to the newest AW whenever it incorporates new sensors. Rectangular or rounded doesn't really make a hell of a difference to me. So I'm on the AW6 right now. Regarding it, anyone else have glass scratch problem with AW6 or AW7? I always buy the cheapest AW, but never had a scratch issue with previous AWs, but my 6 has gotten pretty noticeable ones since I bought it - and god knows, I haven't been that active during covid :-(

 

[lindros2]

Prosser is really dumb as ****.
He should make babies with Gordon Kelly and name them "Nasty Surprise".