Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

No Major Apple Watch Redesign Expected This Year

minik said:
Wondering if the exciting Watch bands ‘connector’ made it difficult for all new re-design.
Click to expand...
I tihnk Apple is torn. I imagine they want to introduce a new connector to let them play around with the watch design (round faces etc), but are terrified about alienating owners who have built up a band collection who may decide to forgo the new model.

Personally, I'm a bit bored of Apple Watch - new designs and faster chips isn't really going to do it for me. I really hope Apple leans in more to the electromyography potential of the gestures. So far Apple has managed to harness the thumb-finger double tap and the wrist flick but the implementation options are poor. For example, in the timers app I really hoped that one of these gestures would stop the timer going off and one would redo the timer, but no. Look at the EMG band that came with the Meta smart glasses with display: I'd love to see Apple letting wearers use wrist and finger movements and gestures to control iPhone, iPad and Macs. Or, how about using gestures to control and Apple TV 4K or Homepod?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jabbeaux
macjonny1 said:
so glad I moved to the Garmin Fenix line. No desire to integrate messages and such on my watch but that's me. For fitness tracking there is no compare. Battery recharge is once every 7-10 days for an hour. Sleep tracking and biometrics are so superior without having to recharge every day. Finally, the square design was getting so tired.
Click to expand...

The Fenix line is overkill for me, but I'm enjoying my Garmin as well. Gave up on the Apple Watch not long after upgrading to watchOS 26.

Used them from the 3 to 11, and don't miss it at all.
 
Must be a very slow news day for Gurman, the guy that sells snake oil. I don't know why anyone believes him.

The watch is kind of a dead product. Developers have abandoned it. If you go to Apple's website, it is not even advertised as a watch, just a fitness device with the same old apps. It has had the same design since day one, except for a screen size increase with the Watch 4 and Watch 10. Ultra doesn't count since that is a different model, and that seems like an expensive cash grab by Apple. $800 if you want better battery life and the same apps. When it was first introduced, Tim Cook hoped for a 'killer app' to really make the watch take off, and that never happened. Apple Watch 6 through 9 were basically the same watch. Watch 10 and 11 are the same thing. It is like Apple ran out of ideas.

After 10 years and all these advancements with Apple Silicon and efficiency, the Watch still requires daily charging. That is the most annoying feature. I sold my Watch 5. Stopped wearing it years ago. Battery was down to 86% capacity and could not even make through an 8 hour day before the low power warning. Sold it for $100. Won't buy another one. I have my phone with me all the time and much easier to look at the phone to respond to something instead of trying to tap on a tiny watch screen. It seems the 'smart' watch is kind of a dead product category since they don't know what to do with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: miq
jz0309 said:
Yep, hypertension alerts and sleep apnea are not useful to anyone and just not innovative at all ... really should check the capabilities before such a comment
Click to expand...
Oh how did people get diagnosed or survived before technology informed them their were at risk for or getting everything under the sun these past years.

Stressing out to keep their “life saving” tech charged and frantically analyzing data that maybe flawed within a margin of error and then have panic attacks. The fun days of tech.
 
  • Love
Reactions: miq
code-m said:
Oh how did people get diagnosed or survived before technology informed them their were at risk for or getting everything under the sun these past years.

Stressing out to keep their “life saving” tech charged and frantically analyzing data that maybe flawed within a margin of error and then have panic attacks. The fun days of tech.
Click to expand...

That’s right. This stuff has never been useful to anyone ever. Better to avoid any and all health information.
 
Series 12 can focus on internal improvements.

Processor
The processors in Series 9, 10, and 11, as well as Ultra 2 and Ultra 3, are essentially the same, based on the efficiency core from the then-year-old A16 in the iPhone 14 with 1GB RAM.

Apple updates its watch processor every three years, so Series 12 and Ultra 4 might get a brand-new S12 processor. This processor could use the efficiency cores from the A18 (iPhone 16) and may increase the RAM to 4GB or 8GB. I am hoping this would allow Apple Watch to perform some AI tasks, such as Fitness Buddy and new Siri.

Display
Similarly, these 3 generations of Apple Watches share the same 5th generation display technology, LPTO. Apple could adopt LPTO2 or LPTO3, which could lower power consumption by 30-50% with a refresh rate of 0.1 to 0.5 Hz.

Health Sensors
The last 3 generations of Apple Watches share the same 5th generation health sensors.

Since glucose monitoring is likely years away, Apple could focus on other health sensor improvements, such as improved accuracy and perhaps an additional sensor for detecting new health conditions.

Touch ID
Touch ID should improve security by requiring biometric confirmation for Apple Pay and other secure tasks.
 
If we’re discussing apple watch, which is related to fitness and health, I just wish apple would market and make apple watch more like iPod iPhone and make it a completely independent device and require all watchos apps to run completely independent on the watch itself. I wanted apple watch to be like iPod touch / iphone, and I know it can't exactly because it's not big enough, but it can definitely be more independent and require that all apps should be able to run without an iPhone.

Also, apple health needs a native intermittent fasting tracker. A lot of folks may be trying glp1 drugs and while that's ok, apple can also market intermittent fasting as either an alternative or as an additional tool to go with those on Rx medication.

But currently, apple watch feels a little bit diluted in its capability. That's why I wish apple would maybe market it together with homepod, apple music, and home fitness equipment to better show that exercise can be just as enjoyable as dancing; and homepod music at home can be better for ones ears than blasting music directly with air pods.

If they don't join the cardio equipment industry directly, then they should partner with existing manufacturers. like peleton nordictrack etc. preferably some of the lower cost walking pad makers like ego fit and the like. Preferably to come out with a sub $400 type of treadmill or cycling device that they can market with their own offerings of apple health, apple watch apple this, apple that, but still be compatible and work with all the other digital providers and products on android, pixel etc so it wouldn't be strictly apple but maybe they could initially market it like that but apple should join the walking pad / affordable treadmill / stationery bike industry in some way, even if it's partnering with existing manufacturers. There's too many issues that need to be solved with walking pads / low cost treadmills / stationery bikes, but at the same time, they're too good of a product for a bunch of no-name companies to be crapping them out. Some of it may just come down to improved / increased marketing, which apple is very good at.

Apple is innovative. They know how to design and build high quality products that people enjoy using in their daily lives. They should take their expertise in design and marketing and lend their hand to the fitness equipment / walking pad industry. Like an “ipod moment”, but for walking pads. Before ipod, the mp3 player industry was kinda all over the place, just like todays’ walking pad / stationery bike industry. Apple can built a higher quality, higher standards piece of equipment to design market and sell that will improve people’s daily lives, and its related to what they already sell, whether its apple watch, iphone, homepod, etc, because many people enjoy music and media while exercising, and thus, this type of equipment could extend the reach and improve their fitness and health hub lifestyle, just like ipod / imac / iphone did with their digital hub concept.
 
I don't need a new design, I think the Series 10/11 look great. I want a new chip with new CPU cores.

I currently have the Series 8 which was the last Watch with a chip based on A13 efficiency cores. Series 9/10/11 all use chips based on A16 efficiency cores. Starting with watchOS 11 everything on my Series 8 is significantly slower and apps refresh way more regularly. It's not unusable, but definitely noticeable.

So I'm not going to buy a Watch with a now over 3 year old CPU design in it. I'll get the first generation with a newer CPU in it so I get the most time out of it where it is the fastest available.
 
I wonder if they'll at least come out with a new revision of the S-Series chip. The last real update for that was the S-9 in 2023. In 2024 we got the S-10 but that was exactly the same core architecture (Sawtooth) and cache sizes on the same 4nm process node so basically an S-9 in a smaller package with (apparently) marginal efficiency gains. Then in 2025 Apple didn't even try to fool anyone by creating a new chip number, the Series 11 Apple Watches used exactly the same S-10 SiP as the 2024 watches had used.

While I'm pretty happy with the current form factor I really do think that 3 years is an unusually long time for Apple to leave any of its core CPU/GPU silicon pretty much stagnant and I wouldn't say no to a jump to a more efficient process node and other architectural improvements to further boost efficiency. I'll be perfectly happy if we see the same design with an updated SiP to reflect 3 years of research and advancements within the Apple Silicon teams but I'll be very frustrated if the next generation still uses the same 4nm Sawtooth cores for 4 years in a row.

My battery health is at 91% on my 42mm Series 10 now and I'm beginning to notice it struggling to get through the day with it typically being at 5-10% battery remaining by the end of the evening. That means that if I ever forget to charge it in the evening it is dead by the following morning so I definitely need to do something in September. I'd rather buy the latest Series 12 when it's released to get back to 100% battery health but if this year is a repeat of last year where there were basically no changes at all compared to the previous version either externally or internally then I just can't justify a brand new watch and would be annoyed enough to resent giving Apple my money even though I can easily afford it so I would have to go for a battery replacement which is a bit more of a hassle since it means I don't have my watch for a day or two. I guess for that though I can always buy a replacement to use while my Series 10 is in for the battery replacement and the Apple return window on the new watch should still be open by the time my old one comes back but please Apple, just update the S-Series SiP this year and don't make me have to play that trick.

The only physical change I would actually really like to see would be an additional button on the non-Ultra models, positioned where the action button is on the Ultra but flush with the case like the existing button below the crown. If the software supported configurable single-press, double-press and long-press actions I would find that very useful for launching three more of my most frequently used apps without needing to go to the app launcher. Maybe a S-Series SiP on a smaller process node hence in a smaller package might free-up enough PCB space to make that a possibility and that would be a huge plus for me that would make me absolutely delighted with such an Apple Watch Series 12 update
 
I mean… the case design of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual hasn’t changed is almost a century and no one seems to mind. I’m more interested in potential new health features or other internal improvements. And if there ever is a new case design maybe it’s a third watch line as opposed to replacing the “series” line.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: miq
Howard2k said:
That’s right. This stuff has never been useful to anyone ever. Better to avoid any and all health information.
Click to expand...
Wet dream of a hypochondriac, reinforce what may or may not be.

Hypochondriac: Doctor my AW is reporting I have an elevated heart rate, should I be concerned, do you have any tests to confirm everything is normal.

Doctor: were you conducting any physical intense activity while this message on your AW?

Hypochondriac: I am not sure, but I am really worried that it might be something serious and it’s better to address it sooner rather than later by conducting a test.

Doctor: tests are time consuming and expensive and before we conduct one it’s best to get some background on what triggered the AW message.

Hypochondriac: I understand but to calm my nerves I think I should do a test to put my mind at ease.

Doctor: are you able to tell me a little more about what you were doing when this AW message appeared, what does your daily physical activity look like?

Hypochondriac: I mainly sit down but I was running late for the train and was rushing to catch it and after I noticed that I received this alert on my AW.

Doctor: ah it’s more than likely due to an uptick in physical activity demand to catch the train that elevated your heart rate.

Hypochondriac: I am not sure but my AW probably took that into account.

Doctor: We don’t know if your AW took that into account or if there is a bug or something else, what we can logically conclude is that due to a brief uptick in physical activity your heart rate was elevated and there is nothing more to it other than monitor it if there are any unusual alerts other than what one might expect.

Hypochondriac: Doctor I still think we should conduct some tests to easy my mind.

Doctor: Please return if the issue represents itself again and we will investigate it further.

Hypochondriac: I may not make it in for a future visit, I am stressing that we schedule some tests to make sure it’s nothing of concern.

Doctor: nothing indicates that this is a concerning matter you seem to be generally healthy and have reported no other health issues, you will be fine stop worrying about it and live your life.

Hypochondriac: how am I supposed to live my life when my AW is reporting I may have a potential heart related issue.

Doctor: your worrying about nothing will lead you to develop a health related issue, maybe focus on staying healthy and calm.

Hypochondriac: that’s why I got the AW to help me stay healthy and calm.

Doctor: it doesn’t seem to be helping you but rather reinforce and alarm one’s own fear, maybe focus less on the AW and more on having a healthy lifestyle.

Hypochondriac: I don’t know how, I need my AW to assist me with these choices.

Doctor: I have other patience who also need my attention, maybe worry less and focus less on what the AW has to prompt.

Hypochondriac: this isn’t helping I am dependent on my AW to help me live a long and healthy life.

Doctor: we are getting nowhere do you feel this is healthy or just technology reinforcing your fear.

Hypochondriac: my AW would never give me false information

Doctor: it’s technology, it’s meant to aide your lifestyle within reason and not control it.

Hypochondriac: my AW is not controlling me.

Doctor: I beg to differ.

/s 😝
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: miq and Howard2k
teh_hunterer said:
A watch should show time regardless of whether it's been raised or not. Plenty of times I glance at my watch without raising it to wake, as I would with a physical watch.
Click to expand...

Raising isn't necessary.

Rotating my wrist 10 or more degrees so I can see the watch face works fine for me. As another one said, battery life is more important than an always on display that I'm not looking at 99% of the time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WarmWinterHat
code-m said:
Wet dream of a hypochondriac, reinforce what may or may not be.

Hypochondriac: Doctor my AW is reporting I have an elevated heart rate, should I be concerned, do you have any tests to confirm everything is normal.

Doctor: were you conducting any physical intense activity while this message on your AW?

Hypochondriac: I am not sure, but I am really worried that it might be something serious and it’s better to address it sooner rather than later by conducting a test.

Doctor: tests are time consuming and expensive and before we conduct one it’s best to get some background on what triggered the AW message.

Hypochondriac: I understand but to calm my nerves I think I should do a test to put my mind at ease.

Doctor: are you able to tell me a little more about what you were doing when this AW message appeared, what does your daily physical activity look like?

Hypochondriac: I mainly sit down but I was running late for the train and was rushing to catch it and after I noticed that I received this alert on my AW.

Doctor: ah it’s more than likely due to an uptick in physical activity demand to catch the train that elevated your heart rate.

Hypochondriac: I am not sure but my AW probably took that into account.

Doctor: We don’t know if your AW took that into account or if there is a bug or something else, what we can logically conclude is that due to a brief uptick in physical activity your heart rate was elevated and there is nothing more to it other than monitor it if there are any unusual alerts other than what one might expect.

Hypochondriac: Doctor I still think we should conduct some tests to easy my mind.

Doctor: Please return if the issue represents itself again and we will investigate it further.

Hypochondriac: I may not make it in for a future visit, I am stressing that we schedule some tests to make sure it’s nothing of concern.

Doctor: nothing indicates that this is a concerning matter you seem to be generally healthy and have reported no other health issues, you will be fine stop worrying about it and live your life.

Hypochondriac: how am I supposed to live my life when my AW is reporting I may have a potential heart related issue.

Doctor: your worrying about nothing will lead you to develop a health related issue, maybe focus on staying healthy and calm.

Hypochondriac: that’s why I got the AW to help me stay healthy and calm.

Doctor: it doesn’t seem to be helping you but rather reinforce and alarm one’s own fear, maybe focus less on the AW and more on having a healthy lifestyle.

Hypochondriac: I don’t know how, I need my AW to assist me with these choices.

Doctor: I have other patience who also need my attention, maybe worry less and focus less on what the AW has to prompt.

Hypochondriac: this isn’t helping I am dependent on my AW to help me live a long and healthy life.

Doctor: we are getting nowhere do you feel this is healthy or just technology reinforcing your fear.

Hypochondriac: my AW would never give me false information

Doctor: it’s technology, it’s meant to aide your lifestyle within reason and not control it.

Hypochondriac: my AW is not controlling me.

Doctor: I beg to differ.

/s 😝
Click to expand...


Are you saying that this is you? Or you think that this is everyone?
 
code-m said:
Nah I am demonstrating satire that some AW users feel a device is the end-all and be-all for health related matters.
Click to expand...

Yeah totally. Certainly it's no magic device. And for some people your description would be absolutely accurate.

I think that's a very small number though.

En masse, I think for sensible people making sensible decisions, it's a huge win.
 
  • Like
Reactions: code-m
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back