Is Apple Watch S4 Coming This Fall?

[igrover]

The base titanium color will be darker than the aluminum or stainless and you will see the scratches much more easily than those other materials. Sure titanium is lighter and stronger however from an aesthetic viewpoint it is the wrong material choice.
[doublepost=1529862283][/doublepost]The other thing I was just thinking about regarding a Watch Series 4 is that the older bands will not fit IF the case is made larger, i.e. wider. If you look at the current band connector it encompasses basically the entire width of the watch case. So with a larger case the current band connector would look something like putting a 38mm band into a 42mm watch case.

I certainly do not want to purchase all new bands however Apple already makes us do that with the iPhone. And one could argue that if you purchased some bands with a Series 1 watch after 3-4 years of wearing the same band it might be time for some new ones.

I suspect that the larger screen info is more correct for an interim design change: remove the bezels to gain more screen space while keeping the case the same size. Although Apple could go in the opposite direction and introduce a radical case redesign that would require new bands.

Fun times.

 

[44267547]

I certainly do not want to purchase all new bands however Apple already makes us do that with the iPhone. And one could argue that if you purchased some bands with a Series 1 watch after 3-4 years of wearing the same band it might be time for some new ones..

I suspect Apple will retain the same Band port design for the Series 4. Reason being is they just refreshed the watch bands in March and a few additional colors during WWDC. It would make no sense to introduce new colors and then change the band port design in a matter of a few months later. Will Apple change the band port in the future, most likely. They won’t allow a band port design prohibit the Apple Watch design from changing for future models. Apple has proven they are not timid with significant hardware changes throughout their product line.

 

[PeteS1963]

I suspect Apple will retain the same Band port design for the Series 4. Reason being is they just refreshed the watch bands in March and a few additional colors during WWDC. It would make no sense to introduce new colors and then change the band port design in a matter of a few months later. Will Apple change the band port in the future, most likely. They won’t allow a band port design prohibit the Apple Watch design from changing for future models. Apple has proven they are not timid with significant hardware changes throughout their product line.

I’m not sure. 4 new bands were introduced at WWDC. The Modern Buckle is definitely being discontinued. In the UK Apple Shop many bands are now limited to one size or completely sold out.

 

[Lennyvalentin]

I doubt Apple is changing the band form factor, honestly. By now they've sold several tens of millions of watches, that's a market for bands that will continue to exist for years, especially if series 1 or 3 or both continue to be sold after the next generation of watch is introduced.

If the band lugs change, Apple will need to keep around inventory for both systems. That's an expense and a complication that seems entirely unnecessary.

 

[44267547]

I’m not sure. 4 new bands were introduced at WWDC. The Modern Buckle is definitely being discontinued. In the UK Apple Shop many bands are now limited to one size or completely sold out.

I’m Not sure how closely you follow Apple, but it’s very common that many bands are either limited, sold out or discontinued weeks before a keynote, or even months in advance where they’re not refreshed. And it seems Apple has coordinated certain bands to release during certain times of the year with ‘Spring’ or ‘Summer’ bands. Some Apples bands are likely limited in production, where the manufacture so many, before they refresh new colors or styles again. It’s the one accessory for the Apple Watch that never remains consistent for having the same colors or styles. I think it’s just a way to keep the product refreshed and from sales being stagnant. If you look at all the Apple Watch bands that have been introduced from the beginning, many of them have been discontinued and never re-introduced again.

 

[PeteS1963]

I’m Not sure how closely you follow Apple, but it’s very common that many bands are either limited, sold out or discontinued weeks before a keynote, or even months in advance where they’re not refreshed. And it seems Apple has coordinated certain bands to release during certain times of the year with ‘Spring’ or ‘Summer’ bands. Some Apples bands are likely limited in production, where the manufacture so many, before they refresh new colors or styles again. It’s the one accessory for the Apple Watch that never remains consistent for having the same colors or styles. I think it’s just a way to keep the product refreshed and from sales being stagnant. If you look at all the Apple Watch bands that have been introduced from the beginning, many of them have been discontinued and never re-introduced again.

Yes, I agree. But my point was that just because Apple have recently introduced a few new bands doesn’t mean much. Like you say, new bands are just a way to keep the product refreshed and from sales being stagnant. And the few new bands are really for this summer. By autumn they will be due for some sort of “refresh” whatever that may be. It’s what Apple has been doing. In other words - new bands now don’t tell us anything.

 

[44267547]

Yes, I agree. But my point was that just because Apple have recently introduced a few new bands doesn’t mean much. Like you say, new bands are just a way to keep the product refreshed and from sales being stagnant. And the few new bands are really for this summer. By autumn they will be due for some sort of “refresh” whatever that may be. It’s what Apple has been doing. In other words - new bands now don’t tell us anything.

There is literally _nothing_ indicating they’re changing the band port for the Series 4. Apple wouldn’t release any refreshed watchbands just months prior to changing the band port design completely. And also, you have to factor in that the watchband market for them is a huge monopoly in terms of what they’re generating for profit versus cost of where the band port is currently. But the same question can be readdressed, are they going to change the band port at some point? Perhaps. We already know they can make the changes if need be, but I don’t believe those changes will be for the Series 4.

 

[PeteS1963]

There is literally _nothing_ indicating they’re changing the band port for the Series 4. Apple wouldn’t release any refreshed watchbands just months prior to changing the band port design completely. And also, you have to factor in that the watchband market for them is a huge monopoly in terms of what they’re generating for profit versus cost of where the band port is currently. But the same question can be readdressed, are they going to change the band port at some point? Perhaps. We already know they can make the changes if need be, but I don’t believe those changes will be for the Series 4.

I don’t believe that they are going to change the band port design just yet. But it’s Apple so who really knows?

The Spring bands introduced in March are starting to get low or have sold out. They often only last three months. That’s all I was saying. If Series 4 goes on sale at the end of Sept that’s three months away.

 

[Basic75]

If the band lugs change, Apple will need to keep around inventory for both systems. That's an expense and a complication that seems entirely unnecessary.

On the other hand customers will have to buy new bands which will bring new revenue. Or alienate customers. Wonder what Apple's market research says. At the end of the day they'll go for whatever brings more money.

 

[Nell]

I think changing the band mechanism would alienate people; it might not stop people buying a new watch if there’s a great new feature but I think it’d really limit the market for straps. I have quite a lot of straps; if they wouldn’t fit a new watch I might still buy it but I’d stick to the strap it came with.

 

[the future]

There is zero reason to change the band port right now. Also, as I don‘t think there will ever be a round Watch or a bigger than 42 mm Watch, I would go so far as to say the Apple Watch band port will never change. This is a system that is basically perfect and a lot of forward thinking went into it. The only relevant dimensional change I see for the future of the Watch is it becoming thinner, but that shouldn‘t make a change of the band port necessary.

 

[dvoros]

September keeps with the pattern... but it is gettting closer and no rumors...
plus with Air Power delayed until Sept., would it be awkward for Apple to release S4 alongside Airpower, which was introduced as a key feature of the S3 watch?

I’m torn...help me decide when!

[doublepost=1529949670][/doublepost]I want to purchase an apple watch for my wife for her birthday but I hear a new series will be introduced soon. Why buy a series 3 watch when series 4 with slightly larger screen and longer battery life may be around the corner. I want to make the best decision since these are not inexpensive items to purchase.

 

[canyonblue737]

September keeps with the pattern... but it is gettting closer and no rumors...
plus with Air Power delayed until Sept., would it be awkward for Apple to release S4 alongside Airpower, which was introduced as a key feature of the S3 watch?

I’m torn...help me decide when!

no rumors? there have been very specific rumors that the S4 will feature a new 15% larger screen that results in smaller to no black bezels on the watch from several major reports including gurman at bloomberg and ming chi ko (sp?).
[doublepost=1529962106][/doublepost]

The AirPower was never delayed. It was announced during the fall Keynote in 2017 and was slated to launch in 2018 with no release date. Also, I don’t think it’s awkward for the Airpower release along side the Series 4, given Apple likely will also release the wireless battery case for the AirPods as well.

For approximately the first month after it was announced the AirPower was listed as coming "Spring 2018" in the small text of the Apple.com website page about it. That text changed well before the end of 2017 to the current "Coming in 2018.) It's entirely possible that the webpage was always "in error" and they corrected it but its certainly plausible that significant problems with the development of the AirPower manifested itself soon after the announcement and they were forced to change the timeline.

 

[44267547]

For approximately the first month after it was announced the AirPower was listed as coming "Spring 2018" in the small text of the Apple.com website page about it. That text changed well before the end of 2017 to the current "Coming in 2018.) It's entirely possible that the webpage was always "in error" and they corrected it but its certainly plausible that significant problems with the development of the AirPower manifested itself soon after the announcement and they were forced to change the timeline.

If you watch the fall Keynote from 2017, Phil Schiller stated regarding the Airpower “To watch for it next year”. There is so much speculation about why the delay, when was it supposed to be launch, etc. But they never specified a release date from the Beginning, only to expect it in 2018.

 

[canyonblue737]

If you watch the fall Keynote from 2017, Phil Schiller stated regarding the Airpower “To watch for it next year”. There is so much speculation about why the delay, when was it supposed to be launch, etc. But they never specified a release date from the Beginning, only to expect it in 2018.

Yeah, I'm not denying that but again, Airpower had a listing for a month that said "early 2018" on the apple.com website. Maybe that was an oversight, maybe it was the plan, I don't know but it was there. Check it out: https://twitter.com/bzamayo/status/970669337685225472

 

[PeteS1963]

It’s hard to see how Apple can change the form factor that much without changing the band port. The watch could definitely do with being thinner, but this year with the prospect of new sensors? I don’t see how it could be done. Mind, the watch could be slightly curved. You could keep the same band port then. It would also make the watch appear thinner. With the form factor we have now the watch sits a bit proud of the wrist, especially with the sensor bulge. Who knows, we’ll just have to wait and see.

 

[igrover]

It’s hard to see how Apple can change the form factor that much without changing the band port. The watch could definitely do with being thinner, but this year with the prospect of new sensors? I don’t see how it could be done. Mind, the watch could be slightly curved. You could keep the same band port then. It would also make the watch appear thinner. With the form factor we have now the watch sits a bit proud of the wrist, especially with the sensor bulge. Who knows, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Exactly my point. Just look at how the current band port interacts with the watch case. The band port stretches almost all the way across the watch case. Making the watch case larger means you also have to increase the width of the band port as well otherwise it would be like inserting a current 38mm band into a 42mm watch case. Which is why I believe the rumored 15% watch screen size increase that is achieved by reducing the size of the screen bezels is a more likely scenario.

 

[44267547]

Exactly my point. Just look at how the current band port interacts with the watch case. The band port stretches almost all the way across the watch case. Making the watch case larger means you also have to increase the width of the band port as well otherwise it would be like inserting a current 38mm band into a 42mm watch case. Which is why I believe the rumored 15% watch screen size increase that is achieved by reducing the size of the screen bezels is a more likely scenario.

Most likely. I also expect the casing to be slightly tweaked as well. More or less, the most interesting part of another rumor is if the Apple Watch includes any type of Solid state buttons with Haptic feedback in place of the physical push buttons currently. There is only _one_ rumor indicating this, but it seems very believable, but only as a future Apple Watch model originally.

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/06/08/apple-watch-solid-state-haptic-buttons/amp/

 

[RichHI]

I fully expect to be wrong but with the Series 3 LTE still being released in new markets I think we may wait til spring for Series 4.

I really wish the S4 is an apple watch for folks who travel. Having to have a S3 for US, another S3 for Japan and a third for UK meant I have not bothered with S3, no matter how big an apple fan I am.

 

[couch000]

I may be in the minority here but I wish they would make the AW4 bigger. I would love to see a 46mm version with a larger screen and capacity for better battery life.

A 46mm would not be too big in my opinion and would offer a much larger screen to view information. The added real estate could also give more room for a larger battery.

I came from a Garmin Fenix 5X and I think Apple could sway even more of the Garmin crowd to switch if they made the AW bigger with better battery life.

Besides, the trend in watches and phones in the last few years is “bigger”. Bigger to a certain extent though. Lol

 

[44267547]

I may be in the minority here but I wish they would make the AW4 bigger. I would love to see a 46mm version with a larger screen and capacity for better battery life.

A 46mm would not be too big in my opinion and would offer a much larger screen to view information. The added real estate could also give more room for a larger battery.

I think for the average consumer, 46 mm would be _way_ too large. I think the 42 mm is an excellent size for what it is, but can you imagine the current thickness of the Apple Watch with a 46 MM Stainless casing on your wrist? I think that would be fairly unwieldy and slightly heavy on the wrist. I also think an Apple Watch that size comes with a larger price point, which I I think most tend to prefer the cheapest entry-level Apple Watch, being the aluminum sport version. I agree that it would likely encompass a larger battery, but is the trade off worth having an Apple Watch that large on your wrist just for a bigger battery? I doubt it is for the majority. Especially when Series 3 can easily be achieved over 18 hours based on Settings and usage.

 

[couch000]

I think for the average consumer, 46 mm would be _way_ too large. I think the 42 mm is an excellent size for what it is, but can you imagine the current thickness of the Apple Watch with a 46 MM Stainless casing on your wrist? I think that would be fairly unwieldy and slightly heavy on the wrist. I also think an Apple Watch that size comes with a larger price point, which I I think most tend to prefer the cheapest entry-level Apple Watch, being the aluminum sport version. I agree that it would likely encompass a larger battery, but is the trade off worth having an Apple Watch that large on your wrist just for a bigger battery? I doubt it is for the majority. Especially when Series 3 can easily be achieved over 18 hours based on Settings and usage.

Like I said, I know I would be in the minority, especially on this forum. Garmin and Suunto sell a ton of watches that are well over 42 mm to more hardcore athletes. These watches can get more than a week of battery life which allows for a lot more activities and features for the athletic crowd. I know the AW is not necessarily targeting that crowd but how hard would it be to make a larger watch with better battery life? Can't be that hard. The AW3 has come a long way in the workout tracking but I think it could do even more but the only way to do that is improve battery life.

 

[44267547]

Garmin and Suunto sell a ton of watches that are well over 42 mm to more hardcore athletes.

Right, however; those are hard-core athletes, not the average consumer that utilizes basic smart watch functionality. I Gather that you’re in the minority, but I just don’t see the average consumer wanting a 46 mm display on the wrist, especially with a smart watch.

but how hard would it be to make a larger watch with better battery life? Can't be that hard. The AW3 has come a long way in the workout tracking but I think it could do even more but the only way to do that is improve battery life.

Its Not difficult, because other smart Smart watch competitors already do this. But, the one thing I think it’s subjective in your post is the “better battery life”, the Series 3 Apple Watch can achieve well over 18 hours, even though the rating is at ‘18 hours’. Better battery life is really variable for everyone, this is based on usage in settings. Some may achieve 18 hours and others might achieve 24 to 26 hours, but I don’t necessarily believe it needs to incorporate a bigger battery to be more efficient, especially as the Apple Watch has improved significantly with the Series 3/faster dual core processor.

 

[couch000]

Right, however; those are hard-core athletes, not the average consumer that utilizes basic smart watch functionality. I Gather that you’re in the minority, but I just don’t see the average consumer wanting a 46 mm display on the wrist, especially with a smart watch.



Its Not difficult, because other smart Smart watch competitors already do this. But, the one thing I think it’s subjective in your post is the “better battery life”, the Series 3 Apple Watch can achieve well over 18 hours, even though the rating is at ‘18 hours’. Better battery life is really variable for everyone, this is based on usage in settings. Some may achieve 18 hours and others might achieve 24 to 26 hours, but I don’t necessarily believe it needs to incorporate a bigger battery to be more efficient, especially as the Apple Watch has improved significantly with the Series 3/faster dual core processor.

Yeah, I get it and understand the Garmin and Suunto crowd are hardcore athletes. I also get that I'm in the minority. I just wish they would make it larger. I prefer larger watches and I think this would make me ditch my Garmin Fenix 5X and go solely with the AW. I love what the AW has done with the series 3 and the workout and activity apps. I have been wearing mine a lot but just recently started wearing my Fenix 5X again this week.

 

[edhchoe]

Apple watch is dominating the market. They will want to keep it going by introducing new Apple watch annually.