This Year's New Apple Watch Ultra Will Be Lighter, Claims Rumor

[MacRumors]

This year's new Apple Watch Ultra will be lighter than the current model, according to a rumor posted on Chinese social media site Weibo.

The user, known as "Setsuna Digital" or "Instant Digital," claims that this year's new Apple Watch Ultra will have a reduced weight compared to its predecessor. The current model weighs 61.3 grams, substantially more than the 32 grams of the 41mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 8.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will feature 3D-printed mechanical parts. The components could include the Digital Crown, Side Button, and Action Button, as these are the only mechanical parts of the Apple Watch Ultra. These titanium parts are currently CNC machined. It is unclear whether the 3D printing technology will assist Apple in reducing the weight of the Apple Watch Ultra, but it is expected to improve production time and reduce costs.

Setsuna Digital has provided accurate insights into Apple's plans in the past, such as their accurate claim that Apple would make the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus available in a new Yellow color option in the spring.

Apple is widely rumored to be planning to launch the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra alongside the Apple Watch Series 9 models later this year, but little is known about what upgrades the devices may feature other than a new chip based on the A15 Bionic.

Article Link: This Year's New Apple Watch Ultra Will Be Lighter, Claims Rumor

 

[dantracht]

Can they reduce the price while they’re at it?

 

[Kylo83]

Reduce the bezels plz

 

[jbachandouris]

Funny I’m actually looking to down grade to a SS AW 9.

Too big for my wrists and I don’t do any adventures.

 

[klasma]

So 61.2 grams probably.

 

[McWetty]

I don’t find my AWU too heavy. If anything it’s too thick (sleeping with it on sucks), but given the improved battery life and features, I overlook that flaw.

 

[MrCubes]

Personally the weight and size is just right for me.
If they reduce those a little bit that would be ok, but if it's a lot I'd prefer that be a new category and keep this one around.
I may be in the minority.

 

[TPALTony]

My desperate (and perhaps unrealistic) hope is that they release a smaller version. I have too many watch straps for the smaller case to make the ultra an option I'm willing to consider at the moment!

 

[jimmy_uk]

Not a fair comparison against the smaller Aluminium version considering the size and material difference.

Apple Watch Series 8 aluminium
Weight: 32.0g (41mm), 38.8g (45mm)

Apple Watch Series 8 stainless steel
Weight: 42.3g (41mm), 52.5g (45mm)

 

[George Bailey]

Funny I’m actually looking to down grade to a SS AW 9.

I had an Ultra for one day. My aging eyes loved the screen size, but the bulk of it while using a computer was just a bit too annoying. I returned it and got an 8 instead. A lightweight version with the larger screen would be perfect for me.

 

[Premium1]

I wish they made a smaller-sized ultra. The current ultra is on the larger side and would love one a tad smaller (like 45-47).

 

[Premium1]

My desperate (and perhaps unrealistic) hope is that they release a smaller version. I have too many watch straps for the smaller case to make the ultra an option I'm willing to consider at the moment!

And why can't you use those watch bands you have on the ultra?

 

[Fozziebear71]

Hopefully they will actually increase the screen size this time instead of increasing the case size and saying it's an increase in screen size.

 

[the future]

If it gets lighter, it will get thinner, because they won‘t use a different (lighter) enclosure material. This may be made possible by the new chip using less energy so a smaller battery might be used. Sounds good to me as the thickness is about the only thing (slightly) bothering me about the Ultra.

 

[IIGS User]

I like my Ultra, but I was always a big watch guy from my flight school days.

Plus I'm 6' 3" so I'm a pretty big guy. If I was a smaller person, I would see the legitimate gripe.

 

[shawnforever]

Reduce the bezels plz

This.

A larger display in the same form factor by reducing the bezels would make me upgrade for sure.

 

[rubaxter]

Just make the battery smaller and repurpose the knob to act as a generator crank!

Like all serious Conspicuous Consumption Toys, it doesn't need to actually be on, either, so just print a stick-on plastic overlay that makes it look like it is.

 

[anthogag]

I have Watch Ultra. A great device and still lighter than normal watches with stainless cases.

A lighter Ultra would be excellent.

How about thinner, larger screen, and lighter 👍👍👍

 

[ugahairydawgs]

Honestly my hope is that they lose all of the orange accents. I have a Series 4 that is showing its age and would love to upgrade to this, but just can't with the orange. Don't really care as much about the weight.

 

[boswald]

I can only afford the SE so I’d like to see what the Ultra can do. Even if only for one day.

 

[verniesgarden]

I don’t find my AWU too heavy. If anything it’s too thick (sleeping with it on sucks), but given the improved battery life and features, I overlook that flaw.

Personally would love a screen less soft strap for sleep tracking.

 

[Sorinut]

This.

A larger display in the same form factor by reducing the bezels would make me upgrade for sure.

The bezels protect the screen, though. Reduce them much and it'll reduce it.

I've absolutely trashed (scratched) the screen on my 6 from rock climbing and bouldering. The ultra should take care of that, when I finally buy one.

 

[StaceyMJ86]

I have 0 issues with the size and weight of the Ultra. I got used to it pretty quickly, and have no problem with wearing it at night to track my sleep. If the next Ultra is lighter or even smaller, I would only trade in to get another Ultra first generation so that I can make sure this one have AppleCare+ which I thought I already had.

 

[lazyrighteye]

I wish they made a smaller-sized ultra. The current ultra is on the larger side and would love one a tad smaller (like 45-47).

Apple Watch Ultra mini… Sounds like a page out of Tim’s playbook. I see no reason they wouldn’t offer this at some point.

 

[davidg4781]

Are they really going to make a new model every year? I don’t get why this is necessary, other than those with extra income to help Apple bring in extra cash.

And I don’t mind them making a buck. But I kind of wish they had a 2 year cycle.