Every Apple Watch band Apple released. Ever.

[the future]

I don't know about all the „almost identical“ comments … I'll wait until we see real-life pictures ... the beauty is often in the detail/nuance ... and the Apple Store pictures are often weird. But of course it gets harder to find something really „unique“ when over 80 colours have been released already.

 

[zimen74]

Is it normal for Apple to release such a limited number of bands? No new loops or leathers. Hopefully I’m being paranoid but now I’m wondering whether they are phasing out this band system. Someone say it ain’t so!

Very interesting theory. Unless they’re going to release more new bands in the next days, I bet that this could be the reason why.

 

[cambookpro]

Is it normal for Apple to release such a limited number of bands? No new loops or leathers. Hopefully I’m being paranoid but now I’m wondering whether they are phasing out this band system. Someone say it ain’t so!

I don't think this is the case - they must be a pretty good money spinner!

Nike bands never seem to come out in Summer anyway, and I can't recall many (/any?) leather bands being refreshed either. The only bands I'd say we were 'missing' is probably a Linen/Coastal/Seafoam Sport Loop, though we got so many Loops in Spring it's perhaps understandable. Not sure if Covid has impacted plans either, I assume new watch bands are pretty low priority compared to everything else.

From memory, Summer 2019 was Canary/Dragon Fruit/Cornflower in Sport Bands and Loops, and Summer 2018 was Peach/Marine/Sky Sport Bands and Pride 2018 Woven Nylon. Neither had any new leather bands. Don't panic just yet!

 

[iChernov]

HELP needed.

Guys, who of you can visit Apple's Visitors Center? Your help is needed...

 

[the future]

Some comparisons ...

 

[cambookpro]

Some comparisons ...

View attachment 922723View attachment 922724View attachment 922725View attachment 922726

Wow, I almost can't tell Linen and Delft apart from the official images. I wonder if Apple would ever start selling old bands again (or reusing colour names) when they inevitably run out of shades of blue 😀 I seem to remember Fog came back after a fair period of being discontinued, but they never pulled that stunt again.

 

[PurBle]

I don't think this is the case - they must be a pretty good money spinner!

Nike bands never seem to come out in Summer anyway, and I can't recall many (/any?) leather bands being refreshed either. The only bands I'd say we were 'missing' is probably a Linen/Coastal/Seafoam Sport Loop, though we got so many Loops in Spring it's perhaps understandable. Not sure if Covid has impacted plans either, I assume new watch bands are pretty low priority compared to everything else.

From memory, Summer 2019 was Canary/Dragon Fruit/Cornflower in Sport Bands and Loops, and Summer 2018 was Peach/Marine/Sky Sport Bands and Pride 2018 Woven Nylon. Neither had any new leather bands. Don't panic just yet!

Lol thanks! That makes me feel a bit better.
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Very interesting theory. Unless they’re going to release more new bands in the next days, I bet that this could be the reason why.

That would be nice. I don’t think they’ve ever done that have they?

 

[Dino F]

...so is the consensus that Apple ARE going to be releasing new bands soon as I'm holding off getting one just now!!

 

[cambookpro]

...so is the consensus that Apple ARE going to be releasing new bands soon as I'm holding off getting one just now!!

I don't think so. After yesterday's release, there's no precedent for new bands until September with the iPhone event.

 

[Dino F]

I don't think so. After yesterday's release, there's no precedent for new bands until September with the iPhone event.

...yesterday's release? What release?!

 

[cambookpro]

...yesterday's release? What release?!

Your question makes a bit more sense now 😅

Apple Releases Apple Watch Sport Bands in New Summer Colors

Apple today updated its Sport Bands designed for the Apple Watch with new summer colors that include Seafoam, Vitamin C, Linen Blue, and Coastal Gray. The new bands, which are priced at $49 each like other Sport Bands, can be purchased from Apple's online store and the bands should also be in...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Dino F]

Your question makes a bit more sense now 😅

Apple Releases Apple Watch Sport Bands in New Summer Colors

Apple today updated its Sport Bands designed for the Apple Watch with new summer colors that include Seafoam, Vitamin C, Linen Blue, and Coastal Gray. The new bands, which are priced at $49 each like other Sport Bands, can be purchased from Apple's online store and the bands should also be in...

www.macrumors.com

...dam - missed that one then!!!! Thanks!

 

[TorontoSS]

Some comparisons ...

View attachment 922723View attachment 922724View attachment 922725View attachment 922726

youre right, would be interesting to see how they look side by side in person, the Blur and the papaya look identical almost. if I didn’t have papaya I would have gone for the vitamin c. The grey one is intriguing to me, although recently purchased a taupe classic buckle from somewhere. That might be similar enough!

 

[jeremyfernie]

Some comparisons ...
View attachment 922726

Great comparisons - thanks! This makes me think that "Coastal Gray" vs "Gray (2017)" will wind up having a similar feel to "Concrete" vs "Fog" -- in terms of both pairings having a somewhat similar gray-brightness, with the key difference being that the former (in both comparisons) has a "warm" (aka brown) hint to it.

 

[nattK]

Hopefully I’m being paranoid but now I’m wondering whether they are phasing out this band system. Someone say it ain’t so!

I think it's just a matter of time before they remove backwards band compatibility. The Apple Watch's current band mechanism is already 5 years old and I'm wondering whether keeping it is restricting Apple's ability to innovate in terms of the watch's hardware design.

I don't think this is the case - they must be a pretty good money spinner!

No, I think Apple will definitely phase out the current band mechanism. The new band mechanism will still be removable of course (since it's a good money spinner as you have pointed out), but it's very likely that the new bands will only be compatible with the Series 6/7 and above.

 

[PurBle]

I think it's just a matter of time before they remove backwards band compatibility. The Apple Watch's current band mechanism is already 5 years old and I'm wondering whether keeping it is restricting Apple's ability to innovate in terms of the watch's hardware design.



No, I think Apple will definitely phase out the current band mechanism. The new band mechanism will still be removable of course (since it's a good money spinner as you have pointed out), but it's very likely that the new bands will only be compatible with the Series 6/7 and above.

Ugh. I hope you’re wrong. I’ve spent way too much if that’s the case and probably won’t make that mistake moving forward with the new style of watch.

 

[cambookpro]

I think it's just a matter of time before they remove backwards band compatibility. The Apple Watch's current band mechanism is already 5 years old and I'm wondering whether keeping it is restricting Apple's ability to innovate in terms of the watch's hardware design.



No, I think Apple will definitely phase out the current band mechanism. The new band mechanism will still be removable of course (since it's a good money spinner as you have pointed out), but it's very likely that the new bands will only be compatible with the Series 6/7 and above.

I'd put a large bet on them still being compatible - I'm not sure what could be changed about the band connectors that enables a tangible benefit on new watch hardware. It's already far thinner than the watch body, and the size of watches are inherently limited by biology (unlike, e.g., phones which have just gotten larger).

I don't think this is comparable with something like the switch from 30 pin to Lightning. A reversible connector which took up less internal space and could transfer data at higher speeds had obvious benefits. I can't see what the band connector is limiting on the watch.

The most I could see is additional band types due to additional watch models, e.g. possibly a larger 46 or 48mm watch case, or a circular design (I don't think that is happening, but not completely unimaginable). But the current bands would still be compatible with the standard watch types.

I do think eventually some bands might integrate health sensors which may mean they are only compatible with newer watches, but I can't see these fully replacing all 'fashion only' bands, simply because they would cost too much.

Would be interested in your thoughts, maybe there's something I've completely missed!

 

[oarx]

Ugh. I hope you’re wrong. I’ve spent way too much if that’s the case and probably won’t make that mistake moving forward with the new style of watch.

This would be a huge blow to a lot of people and would definitely destroy my confidence in buying into another band system for fear of them doing it again.

I'm not saying they never will, but for me personally, they would be doing themselves a great disservice. Maybe not enough people are like us that have spent so much in bands and so it won't matter to apple. I bet the average apple watch wearer only has a handful of bands, and this would not be a huge loss, they can buy a few bands again, so maybe....maybe I'm looking at it from my perspective of having a large collection and not wanting to invest that much time and money again...I guess there's fewer of us than there are people with just a few bands and then a change in band system would only have marginal large upset

 

[yuda398]

Hi, I’m new here.
Just wanted to share a picture of my modest collection.
I’m wearing 40mm SBSS series 4.
On the watch is Violet Dust/Plum Fog.

From left to right:
Space Black Milanese Loop
NIKE Desert Sand/Volt
Lavender Gray
Indigo
NIKE Midnight Fog

I can’t wait to get my hands on the new NIKE Pride Edition.

 

[mikedis]

HELP needed.

Guys, who of you can visit Apple's Visitors Center? Your help is needed...

It’s in Sacramento right? I might be able to fly up there if they’re open.

 

[nattK]

I can't see what the band connector is limiting on the watch.

To ensure backwards compatibility and that the bands work with all watch models, the band connector has to be a precise shape with limited tolerances. If they decide to modify the watch's hardware design any further (e.g. making it thinner, more rounded corners, a different size beyond 38/40/42/44), the existing bands might no longer fit in properly.

Also, the current band mechanism is first generation technology when Apple was still new to watch design. Who knows what they might have learned or improved in the 5 years since the watch was released. The current band mechanism isn't without fault either - a lot of people (me included) have had experiences with the bands not locking in, etc so they might come up with a better mechanism.

 

[twanj]

Hi, I’m new here.
Just wanted to share a picture of my modest collection.
I’m wearing 40mm SBSS series 4.
On the watch is Violet Dust/Plum Fog.

From left to right:
Space Black Milanese Loop
NIKE Desert Sand/Volt
Lavender Gray
Indigo
NIKE Midnight Fog

I can’t wait to get my hands on the new NIKE Pride Edition.View attachment 922776

Welcome & great collection!

From looking at it, you might enjoy Ultraviolet band (hard to find) or Hyper Grape & World Indigo Nike loops

 

[MacDevil7334]

To ensure backwards compatibility and that the bands work with all watch models, the band connector has to be a precise shape with limited tolerances. If they decide to modify the watch's hardware design any further (e.g. making it thinner, more rounded corners, a different size beyond 38/40/42/44), the existing bands might no longer fit in properly.

Also, the current band mechanism is first generation technology when Apple was still new to watch design. Who knows what they might have learned or improved in the 5 years since the watch was released. The current band mechanism isn't without fault either - a lot of people (me included) have had experiences with the bands not locking in, etc so they might come up with a better mechanism.

FWIW, there have not been any rumors pointing to a case redesign this year. So, I think current bands are good for one more year at least. I think all bets are off starting with the S7 though...

 

[nattK]

FWIW, there have not been any rumors pointing to a case redesign this year. So, I think current bands are good for one more year at least. I think all bets are off starting with the S7 though...

Oh yeah, probably not the Series 6. I'm thinking of when they next redesign the watch enclosure so the Series 7 or Series 8

 

[iChernov]

It’s in Sacramento right? I might be able to fly up there if they’re open.

it is at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino 🧐
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I mean in particular - Apple Park Visitors Center. I need help getting the Hermes Medor band 😱