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The larger Apple Watch Series 8 model expected to arrive later this year is rumored to feature a titanium casing, raising questions about the future of the Apple Watch Edition.

apple-watch-series-7-titanium.jpg

Yesterday, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the new, larger Apple Watch model scheduled to launch this year will feature a casing made of "a more durable formulation of titanium to make it extra rugged."

Apple has offered a titanium version of the Apple Watch since the launch of the Apple Watch Series 5 in 2019, under the "Apple Watch Edition" brand. Currently, the Apple Watch Edition comes with an additional Sport Band, and while it offers a lighter, stronger casing than the stainless steel model, it is otherwise identical to the standard Apple Watch.

Now, a wide range of rumors point toward the launch of an all-new high-end Apple Watch model later this year. The device is expected to feature a larger display, longer battery life, a ruggedized casing, and a completely new design. Potential names for the device include "Apple Watch Pro" or "Apple Watch Explorer Edition," and the device has been associated with extreme sports, athletes, hikers, and other users that require a more durable watch.

Priced starting at $749, the current Apple Watch Edition is $150 more expensive than the stainless steel Apple Watch. For this year's new high-end Apple Watch, Gurman has floated a price point that "starts closer to $900 to $999," positioning it above the Apple Watch Edition.

Overall, it seems clear that the new high-end Apple Watch will be more of a departure from the standard Apple Watch models than any previous Apple Watch Edition model in terms of features, size, design, and price. This raises the question of if Apple will continue to offer the Apple Watch Edition after the launch of the new high-end Apple Watch later this year.

apple-watch-edition-video-promo.jpg

The Apple Watch Edition has evolved considerably since its launch in 2015. When it first launched, the Apple Watch Edition line was exclusively made up of Apple Watches with 18 karat yellow or rose gold casings that cost $10,000 to $17,000. These were discontinued just a year later upon the launch of the Apple Watch Series 2, which replaced the expensive gold casings with more affordable white ceramic models, starting at $1,249.

Apple-Watch-series-2-ceramic.jpg

A gray ceramic variant was added with the Apple Watch Series 3 in 2017. While there were no Apple Watch Edition models available for the Series 4, Apple revived the white ceramic Apple Watch Edition line for the Series 5 alongside new natural and Space Black titanium models. With the Series 6, Apple again discontinued the ceramic Apple Watch Edition, and briefly discontinued the line once again ahead of the launch of the titanium Apple Watch Edition Series 7 models last year.

Since the Apple Watch Edition has such a tumultuous history, it is by no means certain that Apple will continue to offer the device. With its titanium casing being the Apple Watch Edition's key differentiating feature, it is difficult to see how the variant could be justified in the lineup with a substantially different titanium model placed just above it, not least because the Apple Watch Edition could draw sales away from the new high-end model.

apple-watch-series-5-titanium.jpg

Earlier this month, display analyst Ross Young said that the new high-end Apple Watch is expected to sell in comparatively low volume – just like previous reports of low sales for the Apple Watch Edition models due to their high price point. Apple is purportedly expecting to ship just one million units of the larger Apple Watch in the third quarter of this year, compared to four million 45mm ‌Apple Watch Series 8‌ models.

Beyond pricing and positioning in the market, Gurman's confirmation of a titanium casing for this year's new high-end Apple Watch model is the best indication yet that Apple may be planning to effectively fold the current Apple Watch Edition line into this new product category. This would allow it to continue to offer a titanium casing, but more overtly tout the weight and strength advantages of the material amid a focus on durability at a higher price point.

Leaving the more affordable titanium Apple Watch Edition in the lineup could also have the unwanted effect of cannibalizing sales of the new high-end model. Likewise, the new high-end Apple Watch could be much more appealing to some customers than the Apple Watch Edition, with meaningful differentiating aspects like display size, battery life, and design providing more justifiable reasons for an upsale.

With names like Apple Watch "Pro" being far from locked-in at this stage of the rumor cycle, it is also worth noting that the new high-end Apple Watch models could simply form the Apple Watch Edition line going forward. At minimum, it looks like the Apple Watch Edition line in its current form may not be around for much longer.

Article Link: Titanium Apple Watch 'Pro' Could Signal the End of Apple Watch Edition
I’ve always wanted the stainless steel version but could never get myself to pay 730 for a watch that does the same things as one the cost 430-530 except is a little more scratch resistant (at cost of reduced crack resistance) and maybe feels nicer. I want but can I justify? There’s the argument that it’s a luxury like Rolex or whatever but those watches last a long time. Clearly Apple Watches don’t given the rapid loss of “software support” and battery capacity. Battery replacement isn’t a simple experience either. So I’ve reveled in my aluminum mediocrity for 3-4 years and likely will think for weeks before once again settling for another aluminum/ionx mediocrity. Can one watch becoming stainless steel with sapphire glass really be worth almost two watches? As someone that buys apple products I’m one to pay for nice things when I see value/retained value but the stainless steel almost looses more value in the end. If the resale was much higher that would be more motivation.

Anyway just wondering how others justify the price.
 
Does Apple even try anymore? Slap a logo on insert product here and the Apple faithful will guarantee a generous return.

I hope to be surprised with this rugged model. I want to see Epix-like battery times. But frankly I’m not expecting much. Apple seems less intent on being the best in category, but rather best in margins.

People derided steve for the way that he ran Apple internally. I think his erratic moods and such made people be better at what they did. If any of it is true, you had better have a damn good idea or you got nowhere if you were lucky, or ripped a new one if not. Maybe they can fix that, or maybe it was all just corporate lore. Hard to tell...

Making people defend their product design ideas, and being willing to think differently and include other features, or just totally redesigning something at an early stage is what's needed everywhere. I remember getting a Sony HDD cam, and it was so hobbled becasue of their attempt to not hurt their other divisions, and apparently make getting the content off the damn thing the most difficult thing possible. Gads, it was a nightmare...
 
I’ve always wanted the stainless steel version but could never get myself to pay 730 for a watch that does the same things as one the cost 430-530 except is a little more scratch resistant (at cost of reduced crack resistance) and maybe feels nicer. I want but can I justify? There’s the argument that it’s a luxury like Rolex or whatever but those watches last a long time. Clearly Apple Watches don’t given the rapid loss of “software support” and battery capacity. Battery replacement isn’t a simple experience either. So I’ve reveled in my aluminum mediocrity for 3-4 years and likely will think for weeks before once again settling for another aluminum/ionx mediocrity. Can one watch becoming stainless steel with sapphire glass really be worth almost two watches? As someone that buys apple products I’m one to pay for nice things when I see value/retained value but the stainless steel almost looses more value in the end. If the resale was much higher that would be more motivation.

Anyway just wondering how others justify the price.

The dents on my stainless AW would have likely been fatal to an aluminum watch, plus the stainless had the superior crystal. Easy to justify the cost if you actually wear it as your primary 'watch'.

I used similar logic to purchase the Edition watch. Durability.
 
VR/AR is coming and the 'metaverse' will be so big it WILL be bigger than the internet. Probably the biggest step for humanity since the industrial revolution. I don't think it will be an if....more off a when! Its coming are you ready?
I’m reading as much as I can find— I’m following the Holo Lens developments too. I’ll buy the first Apple Mixed Headset as an introduction. I’m not exploring Gaming headsets— and Yes I agree with you, “Biggest since IR”. And yet unlike the Industrial Revolution, it will not create jobs for the uneducated. they are screwed now. They’ll be even less welcome in the VR world. Life is tough.
 
I’ve always wanted the stainless steel version but could never get myself to pay 730 for a watch that does the same things as one the cost 430-530 except is a little more scratch resistant (at cost of reduced crack resistance) and maybe feels nicer. I want but can I justify? There’s the argument that it’s a luxury like Rolex or whatever but those watches last a long time. Clearly Apple Watches don’t given the rapid loss of “software support” and battery capacity. Battery replacement isn’t a simple experience either. So I’ve reveled in my aluminum mediocrity for 3-4 years and likely will think for weeks before once again settling for another aluminum/ionx mediocrity. Can one watch becoming stainless steel with sapphire glass really be worth almost two watches? As someone that buys apple products I’m one to pay for nice things when I see value/retained value but the stainless steel almost looses more value in the end. If the resale was much higher that would be more motivation.

Anyway just wondering how others justify the price.

Speaking just for myself....

I enjoy the cellular capabilities, so that closes the price gap a bit. When I had aluminum case models I invariably managed to ding the case against a doorway or something else, resulting in a visual blemish that bothered me the rest of the time of owning the watch. I switched to the stainless (and later Ti) case model and that didn't happen any more. So to me there was a distinct value in the additional durability given the nature of my use, which I've felt to be worth it. I've also found that the resale (via Swappa) of a mint conditional stainless steel case apple watch was substantially higher than the resale of a dinged aluminum case, further reducing the effective price difference.

All that said I'm also at a stage in my life / career where a couple hundred $ isn't as big a deal as it was to me a couple decades ago.
 
Help: should I get the Apple Watch series 7 stainless steel with my iPhone strictly being on iOS 15…

Or get Apple Watch series 8 that’s around the corner ? And get someone to activate my watch as “family”

I’m not updating my phone, I heavily dislike jumping from iOS to iOS.
This makes zero sense. Why wouldn’t you want a new OS? It’s only better features 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
Apple does a piss-poor job of marketing the higher-end edition watch benefits. Many ppl just don't know what they're getting in regular vs edition watches, and only understand that they are shinier. Apple needs to make it clear that:

- DLC coating on black Hermes watches is damn near indestructible, and is far different that the scratch-prone stainless finish
- All edition watches have sapphire

I wouldn’t say the marketing is poor as the price dictates what market those watches appeal to. The vast majority of AW users don’t want to pay £600-£1500 for a short life smartwatch, regardless of whether it has a sapphire display or not.

In reality that sapphire display could be on the mid tier AW too (£379) as that material is used throughout the Watch industry at much lower price points. Apple have just determined it’s only for more expensive models which is quite cheeky. Not that the ion x glass isn’t good enough of course.
 
When I heard the rumours Apple was making a ‘rugged’ AW, I assumed it would be aimed at athletes and those who use their watches for sports etc. why the hell are they apparently putting it at the premium end of their range? Seems odd to price it way above Garmin and other known sport brands and also make it less desirable to their core users.
 
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3 words: give us ceramic!

Waiting to upgrade from White Ceramic 5 Series

I would be hesitant to buy one over the grain issue inherent in ceramics, but I've broken 'unbreakable' crystal watch faces. It's a gift...

But a friend had one, and it was impressive. I loved the look, and feel. Great idea for a watch case. I wonder what else they could come up with for a watch case. (Bamboo?:oops:)
 
More rugged case to protect the investment, leading to a chicken-egg-chicken-egg- ... tail chase.
I didn’t realise a Panerai Luminor Marina had all the features an Apple Watch had?

Thought it just told the time?
And, some people aren't chattel slaves to their watch or their phone.

How does it feel to crave a watch/phone that OWNS YOU?

Hit the ground from a bike and worked in the wet several times in my good ole multi-day battery Garmin, and have never broken it, aside from needing to replace the plastic slip on cover, cuz scuffs.

Obscene Conspicuous Consumption in the Booboisie.
 
We are not buying just a time piece. It is also the Dick Tracy wrist phone from the 50s comic books that create nearly as much information as my iPhone. For the S7 models, both 41mm and 45mm, the ever increasing price jumps get a fancier metal case and different lens material. The guts were the same for all three trim lines in each size.

I saw no utility in spending more for a one year use of a fancier metal and have stayed with a silver colored aluminum model since day one.

Apple is doing a trick now of a new model slightly larger, with fancy metal and perhaps one more feature and will charge at least $500 more for that year of wearability.

The regular S8 models (41 & 45) will probably be stationary in terms of feature set as compared to the S7 models...

So the new iPhone 14 will a slightly refurbished iPhone 13 but with no mini model. The screen size options will be the same between the regular and pro models. The new feature set will only be in the iPhone 14 Pro models that are hundreds of dollars more expensive. Perhaps we will see the first $2,000 iPhone Pro expenditure after adding sales taxes and extended warranty.

Is there that much more increase in usability to offset perhaps a $500 price jump over last year? Tune in next week for the latest chapter of shaft the faithful and clean out their wallets.
 
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I saw no utility in spending more for a one year use of a fancier metal and have stayed with a silver colored aluminum model since day one.

Why are you still upgrading every year?

Both the phones and watches are mature product lines with each year's model an incremental improvement from the prior year's model.

Consider going two or three years between upgrades.
 
Apple does a piss-poor job of marketing the higher-end edition watch benefits. Many ppl just don't know what they're getting in regular vs edition watches, and only understand that they are shinier. Apple needs to make it clear that:

- DLC coating on black Hermes watches is damn near indestructible, and is far different that the scratch-prone stainless finish
- All edition watches have sapphire
Apple does SUCH a poor job at communicating this that, when I went to buy a Ti Series 5, the Apple Store employee who sold it to me actually didn't know that the Edition watches featured sapphire glass, insisting "No, I think they all have the same glass". I case assure you, based on the ridiculous state of my Aluminum Series 4 over the first three months — and the fact that I actaully read Apple's website before coming into the store — that they do not. I could barely sell the Series 4 on eBay because it was scratched so badly. Took a huge loss. 3 years in and my Ti Series 5 was as pristine as the day it came home.
 
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I think now the Ultra has been released and we’ve seen how large a watch it is, the idea of it replacing the edition watches is pretty much an absurd suggestion. It doesn’t and won’t appeal to everybody. Many people use Apple Watches for anything but exercise and like them for their looks. The Ultra is an acquired taste and bulky, therefore more niche.
 
Apple does a piss-poor job of marketing the higher-end edition watch benefits. Many ppl just don't know what they're getting in regular vs edition watches, and only understand that they are shinier. Apple needs to make it clear that:

- DLC coating on black Hermes watches is damn near indestructible, and is far different that the scratch-prone stainless finish
- All edition watches have sapphire

I knew. It's not a very closely kept secret... :D:D:D:rolleyes:
 
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