I'm Taiwanese. I haven't logged into this account for several years, but I simply had to log in just to confirm that yes, the weibo post does indeed say that old watch bands WILL BE COMPATIBLE. Macrumors really needs to get someone who can read and speak Mandarin Chinese on their staff. If I recall, this isn't the first time they've misreported stuff from the Chinese-language rumor mills.
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Rumor Claims Apple Watch 'Pro' Won't Be Compatible With Older Watch Bands [Updated]
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I can see more rugged materials, but the current clasp setup is already pretty secure. I surf with AW all the time and never had an issue.
This is going to be controversial and they will have to make a pretty compelling case for the bands not being compatible beyond just "the size is bigger". They already went up a size once from the original Apple Watch design and the band compatibility remained. Unless the bands themselves do something extra, it will be a tough sell.
well ... this only makes common sense.
A new rumor suggests that Apple's upcoming Apple Watch "Pro" will not be compatible with existing Apple Watch bands, meaning customers who opt for the new high-end Apple Watch will also be required to purchase new bands rather than using bands they may already have.
Apple is widely expected to announce a new high-end Apple Watch "Pro" during its upcoming "Far Out" event on Wednesday, September 7. The new watch is rumored to feature a more rugged design, with a possible flat display and a redesigned case that features a larger display and measures somewhere between 47mm and 48mm.
According to a post on Weibo by the account "UnclePan," who has shared accurate information in the past, the Apple Watch "Pro," due to its more squared-off design, will not be compatible with older Apple Watch bands. While Apple has slowly increased the size of the Apple Watch over the years, it has maintained compatibility with older Apple Watch bands. The backward compatibility allows customers to upgrade their Apple Watch and continue using their existing watch bands without being forced to buy new ones.
The new Apple Watch "Pro" is expected to be targeted at athletes and customers who want a ruggedized and durable Apple Watch. Given this, Apple may opt to provide an entirely new line of Apple Watch bands explicitly designed for pro-athletes that work with the Apple Watch "Pro" and no other Apple Watch model.
The new Apple Watch "Pro" is just one addition to the Apple Watch lineup expected in a little over a week. Apple is also expected to announce the Apple Watch Series 8 and an updated second-generation Apple Watch SE. The Series 8 is expected to keep the same design as the Series 7 but could feature battery life improvements and a new body temperature sensor. Learn more about the upcoming Apple Watch lineup with our guide.
Update: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has tweeted that he believes the Apple Watch “Pro” will remain compatible with older Apple Watch bands.
Article Link: Rumor Claims Apple Watch 'Pro' Won't Be Compatible With Older Watch Bands
Bands 'may' still work if the connection is the same, but for the best fit and comfort wider bands are needed.
“No way I’m spending that much on an Apple Watch! A thousand bux is crazy!”
Also… “No way I’m upgrading my Apple Watch! I’ve spent thousands on bands that won’t be compatible!”
Just like the 30-pin connector and hopefully soon Lightning, you can’t expect compatibility to last forever.
It’s comical how those would rather spend thousands on device accessories rather than the device itself, then complain when the new devices don’t support their past purchases. Just because you paid thousands in bands for every color that a Philips Hue light bulb can produce, we don’t need the tech industry held back because of your financial decisions.
Good. Less people that want this, better shot of me getting one at launch.
Also… “No way I’m upgrading my Apple Watch! I’ve spent thousands on bands that won’t be compatible!”
Just like the 30-pin connector and hopefully soon Lightning, you can’t expect compatibility to last forever.
It’s comical how those would rather spend thousands on device accessories rather than the device itself, then complain when the new devices don’t support their past purchases. Just because you paid thousands in bands for every color that a Philips Hue light bulb can produce, we don’t need the tech industry held back because of your financial decisions.
Good. Less people that want this, better shot of me getting one at launch.
But wouldn't third party watch bands for the new Apple Watch already in production? I expect many models by the end of 2022.Good idea to make the bands incompatible without major change to the watch form.
Well, they need a way to refill the lost gains that comes with the dropout of lightning accessories and iPhone 15.
Take a look at the sub forum here for Apple Watch accessories. Some have upwards of a hundred different bands. Some of it is about pretty colors, some of it is matching to clothes or mood, some of it is the thrill of the hunt.
You know how some women have dozens of pairs of shoes? Similar thing.
Disclaimer: I have, hmm, more watch bands than I have watches.
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Closer to three, actually. Or less. Depends on the band. But nothing from Hermes has ever been described as inexpensive. That’s their nature.
The problem is, the knockoffs are of highly variable quality. Also, I’ve never seen a knockoff that uses fluoroelastomer like the Apple sport bands, they’re all silicone instead, which can make them stickier and more stretchy. And the manufacturers seem to come and go - if you find one you like and come back in a few months, they’re likely as not gone. Also - I don’t k ow if this is a problem any more, but years ago, if you looked for knockoffs on Amazon, frequently they’d just reuse Apple’s product photos, rather than use pictures of their actual products, so you had no way to judge the quality until they arrived.
the moment we all been waiting for, well iPhone cases are compatible with older versions…there’s that
Hermès. It’ll fit in the Series 8 (not that you need a Series 8 if you have a Series 7), and it sounds now like it’ll actually fit the new rugged watch (scroll back a bit in the comments).
Which would all be terrible if it were true, but it seems the rumor was mistranslated - apparently it says “compatible”, not “incompatible”. And the rumor was never that all the watches were changing to a different band connector, just that the new larger rugged watch would need a different band. So those tons of bands would still work on the upcoming Series 8 as well as the Series 0 through the 7. Also, how is it “waste” if there’s absolutely no electronics involved? Anyway, you’ll have to save your outrage for another day.
Clasp. The clasp is what joins the two halves of the band together on the opposite side of your wrist from the watch itself. Apple’s watch band attachment mechanism seems up to the task, but a case could be made for even stronger clasps if you want an especially rugged watch.
So much for saving the environment....
The butthurt is strong from the die-hards with the dislikes 🤣
The butthurt is strong from the die-hards with the dislikes 🤣
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Read the “Updated” bit at the bottom of the article. Sounds like the rumor is false. And there are two posts a page or two back from two separate forum members who can read the language involved, who said it was the original tweet was mistranslated: it says “compatible”, not “incompatible”.
This was debunked. The bands are going to be compatible.
MR, please update the story more clearly because people keep missing the fact this was debunked.
Also, if Apple was after easy money they would've required new bands every year and they've yet to do that even one time.
Wondering if the new bands will be some kind of smart band. So the old bands will fit, but not provide the same functionality
