Gurman: Apple Watch 'Pro' to Offer First True Redesign Since Series 4, but No Flat Sides

[MacRumors]

The upcoming high-end variant of the Apple Watch Series 8 will feature the device's first redesign in years and a new titanium casing, but will not feature the long-rumored squared-off look, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that this year's high-end Apple Watch model will be "a good bit bigger" than the current Apple Watch models, so much so that "it might only appeal to a subset of customers." The device is expected to feature a display that is seven percent larger.

Gurman reaffirmed rumors that the high-end Apple Watch will feature the first new design since the launch of the Apple Watch Series 4 in 2018. It will apparently not be circular, and contrary to reports of a squared-off design, "it also won't have those rumored flat sides." Instead, Gurman described the new design as being "an evolution of the current rectangular shape."

He added that it will have a casing made of "a more durable formulation of titanium to make it extra rugged." The device is also expected to feature longer battery life that could last multiple days on a single charge via a new Low Power Mode, according to Gurman.

The only new health feature expected for the Apple Watch Series 8 is still a body-temperature sensor, with blood-pressure monitoring not expected to arrive until 2025, and blood-glucose monitoring not set to be ready until "nearer to the end of the decade."

Gurman added that "the upcoming Apple Watch release is shaping up to be one of the company's more exciting product launches this year."

Article Link: Gurman: Apple Watch 'Pro' to Offer First True Redesign Since Series 4, but No Flat Sides

 

[Denzo]

Forgive me.. but all we got is that it’s a little bigger, not much of a design change and potentially more battery. And mentions feature expected at the end of the decade?

Then the article ends with a comment "the upcoming Apple Watch release is shaping up to be one of the company's more exciting product launches this year."

Did I miss something?

 

[gsmornot]

If a titanium body will be the only way to get a larger display I may not be able to get one with a larger display this year. Rumors at this point but my eyes want more screen, my budget does not.

 

[alpi123]

Forgive me.. but all we got is that it’s a little bigger, not much of a design change and potentially more battery. And mentions feature expected at the end of the decade?

Then the article ends with a comment "the upcoming Apple Watch release is shaping up to be one of the company's more exciting product launches this year."

Did I miss something?

Yes. You missed that all of these are speculations and nobody knows what the new Watch will offer until it officially gets announced.

 

[Traverse]

I understand that “pro” simply means the more expensive or higher-end model in Apple terms, but I thought that’s what the “edition” was?

I hope they find a better term. A “Pro” Apple Watch/user outside of a rugged outdoor watch doesn’t seem sensible to me.

 

[haincha]

They better do away with the Edition models if they adopt a Pro model. If I have to pay $1200 for the Pro Edition model I’m going to be annoyed. I already have a titanium chassis on this Edition I have. Please don’t make this any more convoluted than it needs to be.

 

[gpat]

Forgive me.. but all we got is that it’s a little bigger, not much of a design change and potentially more battery. And mentions feature expected at the end of the decade?

Then the article ends with a comment "the upcoming Apple Watch release is shaping up to be one of the company's more exciting product launches this year."

Did I miss something?

This sentence, alone, is enough to summarize what a yawn-fest this 2022 is for Apple, and for consumer electronics in general.

 

[DotCom2]

I'm just glad it's not flat with square sides.

 

[DoctorTech]

Forgive me.. but all we got is that it’s a little bigger, not much of a design change and potentially more battery. And mentions feature expected at the end of the decade?

Then the article ends with a comment "the upcoming Apple Watch release is shaping up to be one of the company's more exciting product launches this year."

Did I miss something?

I was thinking the exact same thing.

 

[Toratek]

As I have said here numerous times, flat sides (and square corners) will never happen on the Apple Watch for OBVIOUS reasons to anyone who has ever owned a watch of any kind.

Damn thing wouldn’t go two hours without a ding. The idiotic rumors about it are just plain weird.

 

[Steve121178]

They better do away with the Edition models if they adopt a Pro model. If I have to pay $1200 for the Pro Edition model I’m going to be annoyed. I already have a titanium chassis on this Edition I have. Please don’t make this any more convoluted than it needs to be.

You don't have to pay $1200 for anything if you don't want to.

 

[desmond2046]

I don’t care about the design. A blood pressure and blood glucose monitor would be the true game changer and will save millions of lifes.

 

[DrJR]

As I have said here numerous times, flat sides (and square corners) will never happen on the Apple Watch for OBVIOUS reasons to anyone who has ever owned a watch of any kind.

Damn thing wouldn’t go two hours without a ding. The idiotic rumors about it are just plain weird.

I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m not an engineer either.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I’m starting to think the ‘flat-sided’ information was bait for potential leakers.

 

[DrJR]

I don’t care about the design. A blood pressure and blood glucose monitor would be the true game changer and will save millions of lifes.

Now that I have my health in line and lost 50lbs I no longer worry about those items. I used to long for those features and am so glad I no longer have to. Type II runs in the family and my doc laid it out there…… he said…..bit$%

 

[GuruZac]

Depending on what it looks like, if there’s not a big change over the Series 7 and there’s apparently no new sensors, I’ll pick up a Series 7 45mm Cellular to replace my non-Cellular Series 5 44mm.

 

[Toratek]

Now that I have my health in line and lost 50lbs I no longer worry about those items. I used to long for those features and am so glad I no longer have to. Type II runs in the family and my doc laid it out there…… he said…..bit$%

Excellent. I lost 85# (260 down to 175) a few years ago, (years of spending ~180 days/year traveling were part of the problem) have kept it off, and it is a game-changer. Well done.

 

[Kylo83]

Can’t wait, bigger screen even better

 

[CWallace]

I understand that “pro” simply means the more expensive or higher-end model in Apple terms, but I thought that’s what the “edition” was?

They better do away with the Edition models if they adopt a Pro model. If I have to pay $1200 for the Pro Edition model I’m going to be annoyed. I already have a titanium chassis on this Edition I have. Please don’t make this any more convoluted than it needs to be.

I would expect this Titanium "Pro" model would replace the Titanium "Edition" models, leaving Stainless Steel as the sole "premium" material for the "regular" watch.

I hope they find a better term. A “Pro” Apple Watch/user outside of a rugged outdoor watch doesn’t seem sensible to me.

There were rumors that in addition to being more rugged (which seems to be handled by a stronger Ti alloy and maybe a stronger sapphire glass) the "Pro" model would also have additional Fitness Tracking features for activities (longer runs or swims and such).

 

[KrisLord]

the rumours all seem rather odd.

Are we getting a “pro” model or a more rugged model?

I don’t get why those who want a more rugged model for wear during sports or work would want to be paying more or wanting a bigger screen.

To me pro means either fancier materials for those wearing it to an office or party or extra features.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Gurman: If this is true. I’m willing to pay any hefty price. desperately due for a re-design. It would be nice if titanium comes in a different color options.

 

[CWallace]

the rumours all seem rather odd.

Are we getting a “pro” model or a more rugged model?

I don’t get why those who want a more rugged model for wear during sports or work would want to be paying more or wanting a bigger screen.

To me pro means either fancier materials for those wearing it to an office or party or extra features.

The Pro model is the more rugged model. Apple will market that as being what makes it "Pro", along with rumored improved Fitness tracking features.

This watch is being aimed at people currently buying Garmin Adventures or Casio G-Shocks (and those can go into the many thousands of dollars so even if this watch is $1000-1200, it will be in line with or cheaper than the competition).

 

[contacos]

„biggest redesign“ also „not much will change. It’s just an evolution of the current design“

which is it 😅

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I’m starting to think the ‘flat-sided’ information was bait for potential leakers.

If the flat-sided design does not come real this year. Apple was definitely baiting the leakers. However, leakers would say that would be Apple Watch 9 🙈

 

[switz]

Slightly bigger means blowing away prior generation watch bands?

The current 45mm S7 Titanium with extended 3 year warranty and sales tax in Arizona is $1,088 vs $633 for the 45mm aluminum with two year warranty and Arizona sales tax.

I would expect the new improved larger model with the same guts as the smaller aluminum model watches to crowd $1,400 out the door.

That is a pretty big slug of cash to be an annual purchase. The Apple Watches do not have a long lifetime as compared to my Rolex with two time zones capability I still have from 1967 and still works (cost about $345 back then and valued over $3,500 now).

The Apple Watch's value will only depreciate, not appreciate like a conventional time piece. And 4G LTE will be obsolete in less than five years so the Cellular capability will vaporize on even next year's models.

I guess the new large model will be a status symbol like a mega yacht saying the wearer has money to burn.....