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Can’t wait, bigger screen even better
Not necessarily.
Musk-MR2129.jpg
 
My recommendation is that they should just add a quartz battery in it so people could run core watch functions for 3-5 years at a time and not worry about a daily recharge. Then people do the daily recharge with the normal battery so to run all the smart/health functions. This would mean people would have both a traditional watch and a wrist computer in one.
 
I’m starting to think the ‘flat-sided’ information was bait for potential leakers.

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

Or it ended up being one of those "thousand nos" - something Apple looked at hard, but in the end decided was not ready for public release.


Slightly bigger means blowing away prior generation watch bands?

If they did make the design incompatible with current watch bands, a specialized model aimed at a limited market is the one to do it with. That being said, I expect it will work with all 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.....

Yes, some will surely buy this to show off their wealth, but the target market is already spending up to $1100 for a Garmin tactic 7 series or up to $4000 for a Casio G-Shock MRGB5000.
 
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).
As a recent convert from a series 5 AW to a Garmin Epix 2, if Apple pitches the AW Pro as having multiple days battery life, when using low power mode, I’ll be in line to NOT go back to an AW. I get 2+ weeks of battery life on my Garmin and that includes daily workout, every other day running with gps tracking and sleep tracking every night. I’m also uninterested in another rectangular Watch and much prefer the traditional round form factor.
 
I want 4 things...

I want longer battery life.
Bring back the more neutral colors (sliver and black/space gray).
The features to just work better.
and LONGER BATTERY LIFE.

Also I wish Apple would get on board with being more ECO friendly with the Watch. Sell versions without bands at a slight discount (BYOWB). I’ve had 4 generations of AW now and have more than a dozen bands already. It would save them on packaging/shipping/waste costs and could improve availability.
 
I will stick with getting the regular Series 8 model. I rather pay $400 versus $1,000.
Agreed. I understand the appeal of the premium materials on the higher end models (mostly the sapphire glass), but to me the upcharge isn’t worth it for what is essentially disposable tech. My series 5 Nike is a little beat up (I’m active and wear it constantly) but to me it’s a tool, and aesthetically the minor damage does not take away from the utility I get from it. Looking to finally upgrade this year because my battery life is finally declining to the point where it’s disruptive to my normal usage. Almost jumped on the prime day deal but decided to wait and see what the series 8 offers.
 
What IS expected for the S8 “regular”this year?.
Same CPU?, same screen?, thinner maybe?.
My S6 is aging fine, but not sure the battery will be good for another year. But buying essentially the same “watch” again, 2 years later, is not attractive.
But I will renew my 13Pro for a “revolutionary camera” only… just because of my upgrade plan.
 
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I have always owned the Stainless Steel models (SS S0 and SB S4), but since I keep the watch for four generations it balances out in my mind compared to getting the less-expensive aluminum model every other generation.
 
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I like the rounded edges shape as it is now, do not think the flat design would be nice to the wrist. Also why the hard-on for a round design. This is a digital gadget, round won’t work and you lose real estate. For this Pro, $999 lackluster.
 
if you want to maximize the long term use of a product, you should buy this at launch and return it if it sucks.
 
Agreed. I understand the appeal of the premium materials on the higher end models (mostly the sapphire glass), but to me the upcharge isn’t worth it for what is essentially disposable tech. My series 5 Nike is a little beat up (I’m active and wear it constantly) but to me it’s a tool, and aesthetically the minor damage does not take away from the utility I get from it. Looking to finally upgrade this year because my battery life is finally declining to the point where it’s disruptive to my normal usage. Almost jumped on the prime day deal but decided to wait and see what the series 8 offers.
I like to update my watch every year. That is much easier to do with the regular model versus getting the SS model. I have a minimalist case for my series 7 that I wear and it has kept my watch looking great these past 10 months.
 
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Stainless steel is $899 with a sport band.
I would consider a $999 price point.

Honestly tired of the monthly health challenges. If I turn them off, then it’s just for notifications then there’s no point.
 
"Pro" is dumb -- there are no "pro" watch users. And Apple already has the "Edition" designation for its high-end watch versions.

But beyond that, it seems really weird to make the giant/rugged version of a watch more expensive or premium than other versions. If you look at people most inclined to buy premium products (business executives, attorneys, doctors, etc.), they typically are wearing reasonably-sized watches with refined designs. Those who can pay more for their watch aren't likely to be looking for what seems to be rumored here.

That said, Apple stuff often turns out much better than what is rumored, so I'll hope for the best.
 
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Will this new Pro Watch also get a few new beautiful watch faces? Apple could do it...should do it.
 
I bought my AW 7 SB Ti 45mm back last December 2021 and it's in brand new condition. Bought the marigold sport band and been using that ever since. Given the rumors, it's not worth upgrading to another Titanium, 7% increase in screen size and possible increase in battery life. I only use this for e-mail/text notifications sparingly when I am outside. Turned off when not in use. Otherwise, I charge it once a week. Wallet safe.
 
"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.
so a couple weeks ago it was the "rugged" version targeted for "athletes" and now it's the "Pro" ... at least the price point isn't changing, so not mentioned in this article but estimated at $999.

all guesses, nothing else, no-one has a clue ... Apple sealed its leaks
 
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.....
I cannot believe that it’s 2022 and people are still trying to compare the Apple Watch to a Rolex.
The only similarities those two things have is that they go on your wrist and they tell the time.
Outside of that, completely different products for completely different people and completely different markets.
Apple is *not* trying to compete with Rolex.
They tried it once years ago, and it didn’t work. so they have stopped.
In 2022, a Rolex is an expensive piece of jewelry. It’s pure luxury. It’s not that useful. It’s not something you purchase to improve your life or make things more convenient. It’s something pretty to look at and admire, nothing else. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s literally just what the product is.
Meanwhile, the Apple Watch is a tech gadget. No one is purchasing the Apple Watch for its looks and if they are, it’s definitely not the first thing they’re looking for.
They’re buying it for its Apple integration, fitness and health features and overall convenience factor.
For the majority of people the standard aluminum model is just fine, just like for the majority of people a standard iPhone is just fine. The MacBook Air is just fine. The $329 iPad is just fine.
The Apple Watch Pro will be for those who use their Apple Watch intensely. I’m not going to purchase it. The majority of people are not going to purchase it, but it’s there for those who need it.
Also, there are very few people who upgrade their watch annually every single year. Most people hold onto them for 3 to 4 years just like their phones.
 
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 🙈
notice that the biggest "leaker" of the past (incl sharing details about the "flat" AW) has not been heard from here in almost a year? yup, Apple had 'em fooled
 
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