'Extreme Sports' Apple Watch With Larger Display, Metal Casing, and Longer Battery Life Coming in 2022

[ipedro]

Never expected to hear about a rugged version of an Apple product. Then again, I wouldn't mind if they were this rugged by default

They’re pretty rugged already. I’ve had a few Apple Watches since Series 0, each for a few years and they’ve taken bangs against walls and dropped off counters onto tiled floors and each time I think it has to be broken and not a scratch.

Contrary to expectations, I don’t think this “Explorer Edition” will be bulky with a cage like a G-Shock as some people have been thinking. The materials themselves will protect the Watch. My guess is that it’ll be made out of brushed steel instead of polished and will use Ceramic Shield for the glass, inset into the body to avoid corner crack vulnerability. Those together will endure almost any abuse. I don’t think it’ll be a low end sports watch, it’ll probably be the most premium or at least on par with the Stainless Steel Apple Watch, rugged but classy, kind of like a Range Rover.

 

[8CoreWhore]

If it's "almost 2 inches" and the current one is 1.9 inches, than the new one will be less than 1/10th of an inch larger - diagonally. Will that add up to 7% more area? IDK, someone do the maths.

I guess they can just call it Sport version, liuke they already use, but it will be known to be more tough. Maybe the glass will be recessed... maybe it won't be glass...

 

[darngooddesign]

I never cared about my sports watches getting scratched. Also I don't need a fancy band collection to work on it. A few practical bands (plastic or canvas) will do. The most important thing that Apple would need to add is battery life. And I'm not sure they can achieve that. You would need 24 hrs battery life with GPS and a few other functions on to make it through a long weekend hike or climb. Most outdoor sports people I know select their watch mostly based on battery life and an easy readable display and a good GPS. After that it has to work in a wide temperature range. Waterproof is a given. Rechargeable in the field from a power bank is a nice to have. Not sure that Apple can pull that off but it would be nice.

What about something like this:

iWALK Portable Apple Watch Charger, 9000mAh Power Bank with Built in Cable, Apple Watch and Phone Charger, Compatible with Apple Watch Series 8/7/6/Se/5/4/3/2, iPhone14/ 13/12/12 Pro Max/ 11/6s

iWALK Portable Apple Watch Charger, 9000mAh Power Bank with Built in Cable for Phone, Charger Compatible with Apple Watch Series 7/6/Se/5/4/3/2, iPhone14/13/12/12 Pro Max/ 11/6s,Black

www.amazon.com

 

[Lucas Curious]

95% of MacRumors Apple fans get the Extreme Sports edition watch for the rare times the elevator is broken and they need to use the stairs. The only consistent workout they do is only beneficial when using the salt shaker on their food.

 

[quietstormSD]

More battery life for super long runs while listening to music and more screen real estate for more run stats on the wrist is great. It coming with a steel frame is whatever I’ve banged my watch countless times and all there are is a couple of scuffs and scratches.

 

[derekaw]

A rugged Apple Watch should be plastic. I’d like a plastic version.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

For this user demographic, the battery life is likely the thing that will matter the most. I hope the jump will be significant, but I doubt a slightly larger case will result in major improvements regarding battery life. Fingers crossed

For many athletes it will need to get no less than 24 to 30 hours of battery with GPS tracking to be truly useful, and 24 to 30 is still a much lower number than the competition.

 

[Student of Life]

im hoping the bigger size comes out in the stainless steel version

 

[Mizouse]

for it to work for “extreme” sports they need to update their fitness tracking or something.

I once used the hiking workout and hiked 10 miles and the dang thing only registered 28 minutes of activity, also the constant nagging of “are you still hiking?” Sometimes the watch would just end my workout or pause the tracking.
Not everyone hikes smooth paved trails with little to no elevation change.

Also the outdoor walk workout is annoying too. I have to walk according to whatever what Apple considers a brisk walk to even register anything.

 

[0924487]

Not sure why they have to keep making it bigger, it's going to take up half of a forearm here soon. I am all for a sport version, will be interesting to see what they price it.

I think you don't care about the size, you care more about the price.

If the biggest flagship Apple Watch is 1/3 cheaper than the equivalent smaller flagship Apple Watch, which one would you buy?

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Doesn’t matter if it’s still out of warranty when you break it doing extreme sports.

 

[DocMultimedia]

I did a nine hour heavy duty hike last week. Had about 2% left at the end on my watch. I’ll buy whatever version gives me the best battery life.

 

[enricoclaudio]

I run between 8 to 10 miles 4 days a week and my lifting workout sessions (3 times a week) are no less than 2 hours so a rugged Apple Watch with more battery life is a no brainer, launch day purchase for me. I have an Apple Watch 7 (Nike) and was planning on waiting till next year to update it but if this rugged version comes out this year, I will do the update.

 

[dannyyankou]

Do the Apple Watches we currently use not have a metal casing?

 

[JosephAW]

You know it will come with an “extreme” price too.

If they keep getting bigger eventually they will be able to use millions of those binned iPhone 4 screens again. Clever

 

[TightLines]

Not sure what is new about this… isn’t it just a series 7 with a little bit bigger watch face thats added a rugged case and band around it to change the ascetics of the watch? There are many flavors of this already out there… so why is this being marketed as something “new” when its already being done with existing watches?

The attached picture is from one of many “rugged“ styles on amazon. So what’s with the gimmick?

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

I would be interested in an Apple and Casio/G-Shock collaboration.
Before switching to Apple Watch, I was using G-Shock exclusively and I love the ruggedness on those.

Sadly, I’m pretty sure that if this turns out to be true, this Apple Watch will be quite a bit more expensive than my current Nike one.

 

[Octavius8]

What will be the improve from a S7 to a S8 (non rugged)?.

 

[macinfojunkie]

I recently (in the last two months) switched from Apple Watch to Garmin. I’ve had every iteration of the Apple Watch over the years so it was a significant change for me, but I was limited in my ability to get the analytics and battery life I needed as I transitioned from casual runner to full blown triathlon training. I’m guessing the “Extreme” moniker for this rumored product is swimming in hyperbole, but I definitely see an opportunity for Apple to be a more significant player for to those who are casual or serious about fitness and/or other activities requiring a bit more flexibility from their wearables.

Is this Ricky from TPB?

 

[jamcgahey]

I legit don't even need a new Apple Watch but I am so sick of these protective casings that I absolutely will be upgrading to this if it actually does come out.

 

[viktorhun]

I think this one is the one for me.

And I say this knowing full well I will do little to no "extreme sports" with it unless you count Netflix binging "extreme sports".

i cry on this XDDDD

 

[Jakewilk]

1.9-inch diagonal screen size of the current Apple Watch Series 7

For the second time now, there is no 1.9 inch apple watch series 7. 45 mm converts to 1.77 inches.

 

[sdz]

Apple Watch should focus on sensors. Extreme activity isn’t tracked properly by Apple Watch (HR laggy and better by a chest strap)

 

[7149041]

I have somehow cracked the BOTTOM (wrist side) glass of my AW, anything fool-proof is welcome

 

[7149041]

All I want is a better (i.e. more reliable and easier) way of doing lap splits when trying to use this for sports like running when your fingers are all sweaty, or it's raining, etc.

I always thought pressing crown+the other button simultaneously did that? Don't use this feature so might remember wrong