Redesign

[Vanilla35]

Let's talk about the Apple Watch "redesign". I for one, am very much looking forward to an update in the design, even if it is basically just a small decrease in screen bezel. I personally think the watch is still too chunky. Anyone else share this opinion? I'm used to very slim watches, and while I can tolerate that a smart watch is not going to be ultra thin, I think the thickness of the Apple watch is aesthetically unattractive. It looks like it bulges out from your wrist.

I'd also would very much like a round version, but I'm not holding out on that within the next couple years. Maybe for the next real redesign.

Does anyone else have something they're looking forward to, or wanting design-wise from the Apple Watch?

 

[KarimLeVallois]

I'm happy with mine at the moment, but could be tempted if the smaller bezels make a decent difference.

Compared to other watches, the Apple Watch isn't that bulky, my old Seiko Kinetic was more chunky. Yes, compared to dress watches it's rather bulky, but how often do you wear those? lol

 

[Matz]

Let's talk about the Apple Watch "redesign". I for one, am very much looking forward to an update in the design, even if it is basically just a small decrease in screen bezel. I personally think the watch is still too chunky. Anyone else share this opinion? I'm used to very slim watches, and while I can tolerate that a smart watch is not going to be ultra thin, I think the thickness of the Apple watch is aesthetically unattractive. It looks like it bulges out from your wrist.

I'd also would very much like a round version, but I'm not holding out on that within the next couple years. Maybe for the next real redesign.

Does anyone else have something they're looking forward to, or wanting design-wise from the Apple Watch?

I wouldn’t mind a bit more screen, but I’m pretty happy with my AW (Series 3, GPS), as is.

If Apple comes out with less bezel in approximately the same form factor, I’ll probably buy one and give my current one to my daughter.

Unattractive is, of course, subjective. I don’t find its thickness to be a problem. Then again, I look at my AW as an iPhone extension that happens be worn where I used to wear a watch. And as such, it’s aesthetically pleasing to me.

It will be interesting to see what the new AW looks like, whenever it comes out.

Time will tell.

 

[BlueMoon63]

Would be nice to have a bigger display without a bigger watch. Longer battery life is also a nice addition if more than a couple of hours. You often hear about other watches that last 3-5 days or more but they are so big they lose half the market just by wrist sizes. I am sure Apple could make the battery last a week if the watch was a big as other similar products.

 

[twinlight]

Give me a bigger Watch. 52-55mm, same thickness, more battery, new sensors and bigger screen.

 

[44267547]

I personally think the watch is still too chunky. Anyone else share this opinion?

Compared to what? Have you looked at the other smart watches on the market? Android wear, Moto, LG, all those smart watches appeared substantially thicker and heavier compared to the Apple Watch. Even unrelated, men’s mechanical watches tend to be thicker and heavy, as that tends to be a trend with some more recognizable brands.

I'd also would very much like a round version, but I'm not holding out on that within the next couple years. Maybe for the next real redesign.

Doubtful, as long as Jony Ive is in charge of being the Chief design Officer, he commented himself that a round smart Watch in terms of functions, a circle doesn’t make any sense.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/wearables/jony-ive-new-yorker-profile-apple-watch/amp/

 

[Vanilla35]

Compared to what? Have you looked at the other smart watches on the market? Android wear, Moto, LG, all those smart watches appeared substantially thicker and heavier compared to the Apple Watch. Even unrelated, men’s mechanical watches tend to be thicker and heavy, as that tends to be a trend with some more recognizable brands.

Doubtful, as long as Jony Ive is in charge of being the Chief design Officer, he commented himself that a round smart Watch in terms of functions, a circle doesn’t make any sense.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/wearables/jony-ive-new-yorker-profile-apple-watch/amp/

Sorry for lack of context on my end, I am not coming from a smart watch, in fact I'm not committed to it at all but would enjoy the utility of messages and email notifications from my wrist, along with natural fitness tracking.

I wear watches for aesthetics, and prefer slim watches. Thick watches like Diesel are probably much bigger than the apple watch, but my current style for is more aligned with watches like Skagen, and Junker. These watches are slim, and imo aesthetically pleasing. Comparing that watch to the Apple watch it's just not thin enough to remain aesthetically appealing like a normal watch.

I completely get that a smart watch is not a regular mechanical watch, but that is what's preventing me from using this day to day (also just not a fan of the rounded square design in general, although that could be forgiven). If I'm going to wear it daily, I'm typically going to need to love the design. I may buy if I like the bezel reduction enough to find good utility in it going forward. We'll see after the redesign.


That comment from Jony Ive was from 2015 before the original watch was released (and lots of design heads say this just before new product launches). The market has changed a bit, and if it's do-able, I'm sure cook has thought of it as a possibility to expand to a larger customer base, as he's done with their other products.
[doublepost=1532039300][/doublepost]

Time will tell.

Tim will tell*

 

[cwanja]

I would love a smaller bezel and am mixed on the form factor. I do not mind the form factor today, although I know people that would prefer it smaller. I do not want to compromise battery life for form factor though, as it is already pretty compromised.

 

[44267547]

That comment from Jony Ive was from 2015 before the original watch was released (and lots of design heads say this just before new product launches). The market has changed a bit, and if it's do-able, I'm sure cook has thought of it as a possibility to expand to a larger customer base, as he's done with their other products.

And it’s been over three years, with three generations of new Apple Watches (Which the Series 4 has no rumors for a round design either) with _no_ hints or sign of a round Apple Watch (Aside from bogus rumors). You should know that Apple doesn’t conform to what other competitors do or what the user always wants. There isn’t going to be a round Apple Watch as long as Ive is Chief designer based on that specific comment and the implementation of functionality. is it possible for Apple to implement a round Apple Watch? Yes. But rather they decide to do so is a completely different topic.

 

[Julien]

Looks like one NEW "feature" is coming for sure.

https://9to5mac.com/2018/07/20/apple-watch-import-tariff/

 

[Vanilla35]

And it’s been over three years, with three generations of new Apple Watches (Which the Series 4 has no rumors for a round design either) with _no_ hints or sign of a round Apple Watch (Aside from bogus rumors). You should know that Apple doesn’t conform to what other competitors do or what the user always wants. There isn’t going to be a round Apple Watch as long as Ive is Chief designer based on that specific comment and the implementation of functionality. is it possible for Apple to implement a round Apple Watch? Yes. But rather they decide to do so is a completely different topic.

Yeah well they obviously wouldn't be making that change if the plan was to not redesign the phone for the first several years anyway. That's why this first "redesign" is a vital tell. It appears that they're sticking with minor redesigns though, and keeping the overall design. Also I don't think we've had any rumors of future watches aside from this single recent rumor about the decreased bezels. With that aside, I don't think it's highly likely, but I respectfully decline your thought that it is out of the question that we'll ever get a different version of the apple watch. Apple does cater towards the market as a whole, with increasing screen size (iphone 5, iphone 6, iphone plus'); making the SE is another example, and also creating this 6.1" LCD phone which makes their entire iPhone line up kind of confusing and messed up. Their mac pro is being redesigned again after constant complaints from pros. Tim cook in general is more about broader market, and I can easily see that from the Apple watch.

The main reason I don't think it will happen is actually the fact that their market share is just so damn high right now in the smart watch market. But I'll still hope they consider it.

Looks like one NEW "feature" is coming for sure.

https://9to5mac.com/2018/07/20/apple-watch-import-tariff/

My favorite feature

 

[cwanja]

Looks like one NEW "feature" is coming for sure.

https://9to5mac.com/2018/07/20/apple-watch-import-tariff/

Depends on if it is amended or not. In the tariffs current draft, it is not under the tariff.

Yeah well they obviously wouldn't be making that change if the plan was to not redesign the phone for the first several years anyway. That's why this first "redesign" is a vital tell. It appears that they're sticking with minor redesigns though, and keeping the overall design. Also I don't think we've had any rumors of future watches aside from this single recent rumor about the decreased bezels. With that aside, I don't think it's highly likely, but I respectfully decline your thought that it is out of the question that we'll ever get a different version of the apple watch. Apple does cater towards the market as a whole, with increasing screen size (iphone 5, iphone 6, iphone plus'); making the SE is another example, and also creating this 6.1" LCD phone which makes their entire iPhone line up kind of confusing and messed up. Their mac pro is being redesigned again after constant complaints from pros. Tim cook in general is more about broader market, and I can easily see that from the Apple watch.

The main reason I don't think it will happen is actually the fact that their market share is just so damn high right now in the smart watch market. But I'll still hope they consider it.

I, like you, do not understand the 6.1" LCD phone. In fact, I am often times pulling the specification page for the current iPhone and reviewing thinking I have a 6.1" and not a 5.8". It literally makes no sense to me. Back on topic, I do agree it is not out of the realm of possibilities. However, I do not see it coming this year. Sadly, leaks have been come pretty normal and I feel like we would have a case, band, display or something to carry this to fruition.

 

[Vanilla35]

Depends on if it is amended or not. In the tariffs current draft, it is not under the tariff.


I, like you, do not understand the 6.1" LCD phone. In fact, I am often times pulling the specification page for the current iPhone and reviewing thinking I have a 6.1" and not a 5.8". It literally makes no sense to me. Back on topic, I do agree it is not out of the realm of possibilities. However, I do not see it coming this year. Sadly, leaks have been come pretty normal and I feel like we would have a case, band, display or something to carry this to fruition.

Apple watch leaks are a bit less frequent than iPhone's and seem to show closer to release. I agree it's definitely not coming this year if at all. The iPhone 6.1" is awkward, but it's a similar concept to what the SE was, it's for foreign markets.

 

[cwanja]

Apple watch leaks are a bit less frequent than iPhone's and seem to show closer to release. I agree it's definitely not coming this year if at all. The iPhone 6.1" is awkward, but it's a similar concept to what the SE was, it's for foreign markets.

Fair enough, I have not followed the Apple Watch rumor trail as closely to the iPhone and Macs, as I do not own one (yet). But that is good to know.

I just do not get the 6.1" screen size. That is what baffles me. And at this point, I feel like there is too much out there to say it is a false rumor.

 

[44267547]

Yeah well they obviously wouldn't be making that change if the plan was to not redesign the phone for the first several years anyway. That's why this first "redesign" is a vital tell. It appears that they're sticking with minor redesigns though, and keeping the overall design. Also I don't think we've had any rumors of future watches aside from this single recent rumor about the decreased bezels. With that aside, I don't think it's highly likely, but I respectfully decline your thought that it is out of the question that we'll ever get a different version of the apple watch. Apple does cater towards the market as a whole, with increasing screen size (iphone 5, iphone 6, iphone plus'); making the SE is another example, and also creating this 6.1" LCD phone which makes their entire iPhone line up kind of confusing and messed up. Their mac pro is being redesigned again after constant complaints from pros. Tim cook in general is more about broader market, and I can easily see that from the Apple watch.

Again, is a round Apple Watch Possible for Apple, Yes. Do I believe it will happen? No. Ive being the lead designer, there isn’t a glimpse of this happening anytime soon.

Also, comparing an iPhone to an Apple Watch in terms of how Apple has catered to the market isn’t the most appropriate example, mainly the the iPhone is a large part of the revenue compared to an accessory with the Apple Watch. Two things that are not mutually exclusive, both have different market shares and importance.

 

[bluespark]

I wear mine in a dress version (stainless steel model with the Milanese loop) with a suit and don't mind the thickness at all. That said, a slightly thinner version probably could work so long as it doesn't interfere with the function of the Digital Crown. I will welcome more screen real estate.

 

[snow755]

dont need a biger watch

42m is more then big for me

 

[44267547]

dont need a biger watch

42m is more then big for me

Aside from the simplicity and well execution of the band port, I think Apple established the _perfect_ sizes with the 38 and 42 mm display. The 42 mm display not being too large, but not too small, it’s just right in the median for not being to obtrusive on the wrist. The problem you have with the smart watches like the Moto, LG Urbane or android wear, sometimes the displays are comically large on a wrist, and it just looks completely awkward.

 

[Vanilla35]

Does anyone want anything different from the design? Slightly more screen real estate has been mentioned a few times. I'm assuming everyone likes the design enough that they could keep it the same for a few more iterations and there wouldn't be a problem? Or is everyone really looking forward to something a little different with what they redesign it with?

Thinking about it, aside from a potential round model, I think it would be difficult for them to redesign this thing very much.

 

[OllyW]

I personally think the watch is still too chunky. Anyone else share this opinion?

I don’t mind the size, it’s the shape I don’t like.

 

[bluespark]

Aside from the simplicity and well execution of the band port, I think Apple established the _perfect_ sizes with the 38 and 42 mm display. The 42 mm display not being too large, but not too small, it’s just right in the median for not being to obtrusive on the wrist. The problem you have with the smart watches like the Moto, LG Urbane or android wear, sometimes the displays are comically large on a wrist, and it just looks completely awkward.

I agree -- I think Apple nailed the Watch design. That's not to say that a future, thinner version couldn't work, or one with more screen real estate, etc. But the size choices couldn't have been better, IMO.

 

[MrGimper]

I don't have any issues with any aspect of the Apple Watch. Yes, I'd like a bit more screen and a bit less bezel, but it's not a deal breaker for me. It's not thick, and it's no overly large. The only suggestion I made "back in the day" was that I'd have preferred to have seen the digital crown in the middle of the watch, with a button above and below. This way the watch wouldn't look "awkward" on the right wrist.

As for a round version.... no, just no. The only thing that would benefit from a round watch is a round watch face. Considering everything else the watch is used for, which is normally rectangular tabular data, a round watch would be a mistake. Perhaps I'm in the minority that consider the Apple Watch to be a wrist computer first, that just so happens to also tell the time.

Oh, and no, don't bring up the "always on" display argument either

 

[OllyW]

As for a round version...

Oh, and no, don't bring up the "always on" display argument either

That's the two main options that need to be added before I ever consider buying another Apple Watch.

 

[MrGimper]

That's the two main options that need to be added before I ever consider buying another Apple Watch.

Haha, fair enough.

I just don't "get" the desire for always on. When I raise my wrist the display comes on, and when I lower it, it goes off. I don't have a watch for others to see the time, so don't get why always on is a big deal.

 

[44267547]

Haha, fair enough.

I just don't "get" the desire for always on. When I raise my wrist the display comes on, and when I lower it, it goes off. I don't have a watch for others to see the time, so don't get why always on is a big deal.

I don’t either and Apple Clearly isn’t venturing with an always on display. With the sensitivity being increased with raise to wake and having two options of 15 or 70 seconds, I suspect that’s more than sufficient enough for many to appreciate the Apple Watch. Apple Likely is prohibiting an always on dispay due to battery requirements and potential burn-in, otherwise until those two features can be improved with the debut micro LED, which is rumored not to suffer from any type of burn-in *and* has significant less power draw.