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

The Cockney Rebel

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jul 17, 2010
3,978
5,534
I think that with a relatively heavily reimagining of watchOS 10, they might do a little something special with the Watch itself?
 
The last big redesigns were S5 and S7, so if they keep up this pattern, S9 should be a redesign, but who knows. The big changes in Watch OS 10 makes me think Apple might keep the current hardware design for another year, as they tend to stagger major software and hardware updates. But then there's the chance they could bring some of the hardware features from the Ultra to the regular watch. In other words, I have no idea!
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Cockney Rebel
Anybody’s guess. S7/S8 were very similar, so maybe due for a redesign… otoh the Ultra was released with the S8 so maybe another year? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I guess we’ll know in September!
 
The last big redesigns were S5 and S7, so if they keep up this pattern, S9 should be a redesign, but who knows. The big changes in Watch OS 10 makes me think Apple might keep the current hardware design for another year, as they tend to stagger major software and hardware updates. But then there's the chance they could bring some of the hardware features from the Ultra to the regular watch. In other words, I have no idea!
I think it was S4/S5/S6 then S7/S8 as far as redesigns went. S4 introduced the larger screen of the S4/S5/S6 generation.

My guess would be that S9 would be similar to S7/S8 and we could see some kind of redesign for S10. That would be keeping in line with the three-year deign cycle of the iPhones also.
 
I think it was S4/S5/S6 then S7/S8 as far as redesigns went. S4 introduced the larger screen of the S4/S5/S6 generation.

My guess would be that S9 would be similar to S7/S8 and we could see some kind of redesign for S10. That would be keeping in line with the three-year deign cycle of the iPhones also.
Okay. My recollection is that when I went from S4 to S6, I had to get a new case, because there was something different about the form factor, but I could get cases advertised for the S5 and they fit the S6. But I could be remembering wrong.
 
S0/1/2/3 - 42/38mm
S4/5/6 - 44/40mm
S7/8 - 45/41mm
Would be really surprised if the S9 would get a new design. New processor, maybe, maybe a new health sensor
 
I'd expect some incremental improvements to build on the momentum behind the Ultra, but the mainstream watch will probably be little changed.
 
Significant overhaul of the OS + new CPU to make the new OS run extra-snappy/fluid. Black Ultra. I would guess that will be about it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: xDKP
If judging by the past iPhone iterations, I doubt we will see a dramatic redesign of the AW, but rather small incremental tweaks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3Rock
I feel like we'll see design elements of the Ultra come to both the 41mm and 45mm S10 models next year; I found it interesting how elements of the Ultra also found their way into the Vision Pro, and presumably, based on leaks, this year's iPhone Pros.
 
I feel like we'll see design elements of the Ultra come to both the 41mm and 45mm S10 models next year; I found it interesting how elements of the Ultra also found their way into the Vision Pro, and presumably, based on leaks, this year's iPhone Pros.
What elements of the Ultra do you see in Vision Pro?

Personally, I like the flat screen of the Ultra, and hope it comes to the regular Apple watch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: drunkaviator
What elements of the Ultra do you see in Vision Pro?

Personally, I like the flat screen of the Ultra, and hope it comes to the regular Apple watch.
Just in the use of titanium, with the same orange accents as the Ultra. Also the perforation holes on the underside for ventillation, look like larger versions of the speaker holes on the Ultra.
 
yeah I am in the same boat, not sure if I should wait till late Sept/Oct or get it now!
 
Just in the use of titanium, with the same orange accents as the Ultra. Also the perforation holes on the underside for ventillation, look like larger versions of the speaker holes on the Ultra.
VP uses titanium? I must have missed that! I thought it was all aluminum. Which parts are titanium?
 
Also I got a feeling, whenever the next major redesign will be, it will borrow the design language of the Ultra.
 
  • Like
Reactions: drunkaviator
I think we’ll continue to see incremental changes over time. Maybe they’ll come up with a way for the back of the watch to better fit the contours of one’s wrist (if that’s possible?) The design on the AW is becoming iconic and I don’t think Apple will want to make drastic changes to the design, especially in a way that would confuse the AW with a Garmin or Samsung, or any other WearOS design.
 
I think we’ll continue to see incremental changes over time. Maybe they’ll come up with a way for the back of the watch to better fit the contours of one’s wrist (if that’s possible?) The design on the AW is becoming iconic and I don’t think Apple will want to make drastic changes to the design, especially in a way that would confuse the AW with a Garmin or Samsung, or any other WearOS design.
I think the Ultra does fit better, at least on my wrist. The larger size Apple watches were all uncomfortable to wear, yet I could wear the Ultra and it rested comfortably against my wrist, even though it's larger than the bigger size regular watch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BSG75
I think the Ultra does fit better, at least on my wrist. The larger size Apple watches were all uncomfortable to wear, yet I could wear the Ultra and it rested comfortably against my wrist, even though it's larger than the bigger size regular watch.
The Ultra fits my wrist better as well.
 
I may be in the minority here, but I actually consider the Ultra to be the first major redesign of the Apple Watch lineup. Screen/case sizes have increased, health sensors and processors have been added, etc. but in general an Apple Watch 8 still looks pretty much like an Apple Watch 0. The only real thing that sticks out like a sore thumb on the older models is that rectangular display area that doesn't really fill in the entire crystal like it does on the newer ones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Howard2k
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.