Rumor: 7 is the result of a contingency plan

[kiranmk2]

The thing that keeps this rumour possibly true in my mind is the lack of detail and delayed launch. If they were planning to launch the flat-edged 7 then in my mind the first thing to do would be to test out the increased display size/reduced bezels on the old (well understood design). This point could well have been reached months ago and kept as a contingency (I'm sure the rest of the internals were going to go into either casing).
If the rumour is incorrect and Apple always planned to release the model we got, then why the lack of launch date? Why not simply delay the Apple watch unveiling until the Mac event in October? I can't imagine that machining the same, but bigger case could have caught out Apple's suppliers.

 

[Edric_1337]

What new health-related hardware updates came with the Series 3 and Series 5 watches?

Thank you, just wanted to post the same. Only S4 had both a bigger screen and new health features.

 

[mjschabow]

I'm actually happy about this because I really didn't want to spend more money when I already have the 6, but the rumors of better battery life and flat edges got me ready to pull the trigger. I'm happily saving my money for the Series 8 now.

 

[anshuvorty]

I'm actually happy about this because I really didn't want to spend more money when I already have the 6, but the rumors of better battery life and flat edges got me ready to pull the trigger. I'm happily saving my money for the Series 8 now.

Same here. Now, if they can get another new sensor in there when the S8 is announced next year? That will make it an even more compelling upgrade!

 

[ApfelKuchen]

The thing that keeps this rumour possibly true in my mind is the lack of detail and delayed launch. If they were planning to launch the flat-edged 7 then in my mind the first thing to do would be to test out the increased display size/reduced bezels on the old (well understood design). This point could well have been reached months ago and kept as a contingency (I'm sure the rest of the internals were going to go into either casing).
If the rumour is incorrect and Apple always planned to release the model we got, then why the lack of launch date? Why not simply delay the Apple watch unveiling until the Mac event in October? I can't imagine that machining the same, but bigger case could have caught out Apple's suppliers.

Why the lack of a launch date? Manufacturing, manufacturing, manufacturing. Between well-known chip shortages, COVID, and Apple's typically tight-lipped behavior, why is it necessary to come up with a more exotic theory?

You want an "exotic" theory? Apple planned the AW 7 to be what it is, from the start. The rumors are founded on intentional disinformation, intended to remind us that rumors are just rumors, not established facts. After several years when nearly every rumor from "respected" sources seems to have come true, it was well past time for Apple to tweak our collective noses.

But some people would rather believe that the rumor-mongers are always right, and spin theories that help them save face.

Why announce the new Watch at the September event? Perhaps because it logically belongs with the iPhone announcement. So long and Watch is paired to iPhone, it makes sense (to me) to tether the product announcements as well - Watch and iPhone buyers fit the same profile. Do you think that people tuning in for a Mac-related event will have the same interest in Watch that the iPhone-watchers will?

 

[redman042]

Maybe it's for the best that there weren't that many major changes this year, if it means people are less compelled to upgrade. Is it that important to upgrade every year? I think these devices should last longer than that...

The display, the crystal that covers it, and the body is all new design. The display area is much bigger and the UI has been redesigned to take advantage of it.

I think people are understating the changes in this model.

 

[Itinj24]

The display, the crystal that covers it, and the body is all new design. The display area is much bigger and the UI has been redesigned to take advantage of it.

I think people are understating the changes in this model.

💯. If the rumors and leaks showed this unveiled design from the beginning, people would be drooling over that larger display but false expectations of a boxy design give the impression that the changes are very minor. It’s all about perception.

The display looks amazing and enough for me to upgrade from my S6. Now the keyboard… that was just the nail in the coffin.

 

[jz0309]

Why the lack of a launch date? Manufacturing, manufacturing, manufacturing. Between well-known chip shortages, COVID, and Apple's typically tight-lipped behavior, why is it necessary to come up with a more exotic theory?

You want an "exotic" theory? Apple planned the AW 7 to be what it is, from the start. The rumors are founded on intentional disinformation, intended to remind us that rumors are just rumors, not established facts. After several years when nearly every rumor from "respected" sources seems to have come true, it was well past time for Apple to tweak our collective noses.

But some people would rather believe that the rumor-mongers are always right, and spin theories that help them save face.

Why announce the new Watch at the September event? Perhaps because it logically belongs with the iPhone announcement. So long and Watch is paired to iPhone, it makes sense (to me) to tether the product announcements as well - Watch and iPhone buyers fit the same profile. Do you think that people tuning in for a Mac-related event will have the same interest in Watch that the iPhone-watchers will?

Come on, why are you making so much sense?
I’m not being sarcastic, I wholeheartedly agree with you.
Well, maybe that makes me sarcastic …

 

[profets]

The display, the crystal that covers it, and the body is all new design. The display area is much bigger and the UI has been redesigned to take advantage of it.

I think people are understating the changes in this model.

💯. If the rumors and leaks showed this unveiled design from the beginning, people would be drooling over that larger display but false expectations of a boxy design give the impression that the changes are very minor. It’s all about perception.

The display looks amazing and enough for me to upgrade from my S6. Now the keyboard… that was just the nail in the coffin.

I agree. I (like most) was expecting a re-design with the more boxy shape like iPhone 12 and iPad Pro/Air. I think we were expecting something so different that this kind of redesign didn't feel like a big deal.

But in all reality I don't think this is just another re-hash of the 4/5/6 design. Obviously extremely similar, but there are some minor changes to the body and the crystal + display have changed significantly. I struggle to see how that was a last minute change.

What really makes this all very odd is how there is a big delay with its production and release.

 

[NastyMatt]

Please stop using 'chip shortage' as a reason for S7 delays or a major leap forward. Apple procures $55bn in 'chips' per year - that dwarfs nearly all other manufacturers (read 'nearly'). They get preferential and first treatment.

By comparison, a large car manufacturer orders $4bn-$5bn. Apple is one of the reasons other manufacturers (in all industries) have a chip shortage.

 

[Yorkieray]

I've seen a couple of Youtube vids on this earlier and it concerns that Apple have not published prices or a release date for the S7 when the Watch is usually immediately available.
If it is a last minute rush job, I don't think that the S7 should be recommended for anyone to buy. The S6 is still available and is a solid performer.

 

[SisterBlue22]

The oddest part to me is that there are very few product shots. I don’t think you can even see a SS or Ti model on the website. do they even say what colors the SS or Ti watches come in?

Just here, but no mention of which colors of SS or Ti there will be.

 

[jz0309]

Please stop using 'chip shortage' as a reason for S7 delays or a major leap forward. Apple procures $55bn in 'chips' per year - that dwarfs nearly all other manufacturers (read 'nearly'). They get preferential and first treatment.

By comparison, a large car manufacturer orders $4bn-$5bn. Apple is one of the reasons other manufacturers (in all industries) have a chip shortage.

Tim Cook during the last earnings call stated that the current chip shortage WILL impact Apple in H2 2021… so please, do your homework first before blasting in with those statements

 

[jz0309]

I've seen a couple of Youtube vids on this earlier and it concerns that Apple have not published prices or a release date for the S7 when the Watch is usually immediately available.
If it is a last minute rush job, I don't think that the S7 should be recommended for anyone to buy. The S6 is still available and is a solid performer.

It is NOT a “last minute rush job”, stop spreading consiracies

 

[SegNerd]

I can’t prove or disprove the rumor, but the S7 and iPhone 13 both seem like contingency plans to me. They’re perfectly good devices, but they’re not much of an upgrade.

 

[NastyMatt]

Tim Cook during the last earnings call stated that the current chip shortage WILL impact Apple in H2 2021… so please, do your homework first before blasting in with those statements

And you may want to read what I said before going all Tim Cook fanboy on me. I said S7 delays, not Apple impact.

 

[jz0309]

And you may want to read what I said before going all Tim Cook fanboy on me. I said S7 delays, not Apple impact.

because the S7 does not have chips in it, got it

 

[Metrosey]

View attachment 1833400

Just here, but no mention of which colors of SS or Ti there will be.

It was mentioned during the presentation. Space black Titanium and standard Titanium

 

[NastyMatt]

because the S7 does not have chips in it, got it

Let me get some crayons and draw a picture. That may help you understand the difference between revenue and designing.

 

[jz0309]

Let me get some crayons and draw a picture. That may help you understand the difference between revenue and designing.

can't wait to see that binky

 

[Chevysales]

doubt it but damn if the rumors not even close this year.
plus day before event Kuo claiming we are likely just weeks away from orders.

doesn't seem that way now though

 

[ijon01]

I agree that the 7 was not a last minute thing.

There are subtle physical changes in the case like the speaker vent is a single opening instead of two openings, the side button also appears to be smaller.

The production of the new display could not be a last minute thing, the display manufacturers wouldn’t just have 500,000 displays from a previous model lying around.

The milling of the new speaker vent alone would require a new production line with new milling machines which makes me believe that this couldn’t be a last minute thing.

That’s my opinion anyway for what it’s worth.

 

[ader42]

I don’t subscribe to the “last minute change” idea, and in fact am more inclined to think this is either next years design or fake info to identify leakers - I think the same applies to the supposed iPhone14 design.

However, the underwater image of the watch in the event does look a little “off” to me - so it may be possible that the design was changed say 9 months ago? Nah. Still think that’s not enough time unless they had a plan B already waiting in the wings.

 

[ZeChild]

So, no new processor, essentially the same SOC released last year, no new stand out features aside from the larger screen real estate, thicker width to accommodate the larger width screen, no new headline software capabilities aside from new watch faces which can be scaled! and no clear release date? people think this is what Apple planned to release Vs what they were forced into due to production issues, seems obvious this is a scramble to release "anything" new when their original idea hit the wall, I've had an Apple watch since series 0 and although I didn't update every year this was the most lacklustre update I think Ive seen to any major Apple product in a while! it's easier to swap back to previously used tooling with a slight increase in size, after all they're essentially advanced CNC Machines, than it is to correct a whole new form factor that doesn't work on large scale production! If this was what Apple planned all along there wouldn't be ambiguity about launch date, if they'd planned this they'd have made it clear, they've had to go to damage limitation mode and hope for the best.

 

[Beerstalker]

If the 7th gen is the result of a contingency plan it would most likely only be them using the same SOC as the 6th gen instead of a introducing a new chip. This would most likely be a much easier change than suddenly coming up with a new display and case and ramping up production on them instead of going with the flat edged design that was in all the rumors.