Wait, what? Kuo says 2018 Watches will be bigger??

[iPhysicist]

If the Casing would change dramaticaly I think leaks would already have shown this. I dont think we see much more than a screensize with more internal improvements. If you want something to become iconic you cant change the design every now and then. Ives knows this best.

 

[oeagleo]

Don't realy care about the bands but a 45mm tall, rectangular watch, will look ridiculous on a wrist. Regular folks will have to go with the smaller one...

Didn't Samsung come out with something like that? Before the round ones they have now. It was the full definition of "UGLY" in my opinion.

 

[44267547]

If the Casing would change dramaticaly I think leaks would already have shown this.

Not quite. The Apple Watch is the one device from Apple that has very few hardware leaks at all. And the casing likely isn’t going to change dramatically, if anything, I think that will remain largely the same just with the display increased.

If you want something to become iconic you cant change the design every now and then. Ives knows this best.

The Apple Watch is not iconic, it’s a tech device. And it’s due for a change after three years of having the same design. That change is likely happening in September. Tech in general should alter its design, it shows a refreshment and growth and can be more appealing to consumers versus seeing the same design every year.

 

[iPhysicist]

The original iPod is iconic and although its time already passed it became iconic nonetheless. The design change I think will happen is that minimal so you could easily say its more of an evolving of design.

 

[Nell]

The Apple Watch is not iconic, it’s a tech device.

Being a tech device and iconic are not mutually exclusive. IMO it’s probably too soon to describe the Apple Watch as iconic but time will tell and there a good chance it’ll come to be seen that way.

 

[44267547]

Being a tech device and iconic are not mutually exclusive. IMO it’s probably too soon to describe the Apple Watch as iconic but time will tell and there a good chance it’ll come to be seen that way.

I agree. The only time I would correlate the word ‘iconic’ anything with Apple, would be the first iPhone that launched back in 2007 due to its debut, otherwise, tech is quickly outdated and antiquated buy something newer, which makes it very difficult for anything to be iconic.

 

[Nell]

I agree. The only time I would correlate the word ‘iconic’ anything with Apple, would be the first iPhone that launched back in 2007 due to its debut, otherwise, tech is quickly outdated and antiquated buy something newer, which makes it very difficult for anything to be iconic.

I think the first iMac was iconic too.

 

[naturalstar]

I was debating this very question with a few friends this weekend.

I have 12 bands that I have bought all from getting the AW3 this year. This is my first Apple Watch and I love it as is. I would love to be able to continue to wear a good portion of them as I like their style and I wouldn’t want to have to try to replace them in the future. Yes, I would be a little upset that my bands no longer work with the AW4. I have some favorites!

That said, I’m of the mind that Apple isn’t worried whether or not new bands would have to be purchased for a new Watch release. Look at their other products, like the iPhone when the 3.5 jack was removed or with the change in slimness in different generations of the iPad making it so an old case wouldn’t work with a new case. Apple moves design forward and new accessories get released to match the new design. I’m surprised that anyone would be so upset if Apple’s design and technology philosophy extended to the Watch. I’m expecting it to happen at some point, whether it will be this year or the next. That’s just Apple.

I admit a part of me didn’t really think about it at first. I was excited to have my first Watch, so I was getting whatever I liked (fortunately, quality, low-cost, third-party bands). Then I thought about cases I would buy for my iPhone that I have tossed over time and stopped to think. If Apple does make changes, I’ll have a drawer full of bands that will work with this Series 3 only. Maybe I’m going to slow down here and see what comes up in September. This was before I saw any rumors of size changes.

I won’t get mad at Apple if they do end up making changes. It will be my lesson learned to not get carried away with bands in the future.

 

[hank moody]

Apple won't change aw’s external design.
Your bands will work with the new aw.

 

[Gregintosh]

I won’t get mad at Apple if they do end up making changes. It will be my lesson learned to not get carried away with bands in the future.

And that’s the real problem! Apple might see short term gains from people rebuying their favorite couple of bands but long term people will not get carried away with too many, understanding that they won’t be able to use them too long. Apple and third party manufacturers will suffer from the drop in demand.

 

[44267547]

And that’s the real problem! Apple might see short term gains from people rebuying their favorite couple of bands but long term people will not get carried away with too many, understanding that they won’t be able to use them too long. Apple and third party manufacturers will suffer from the drop in demand.

I am one that also has plenty of watchbands both OEM and third-party. I think the third-party market will be the ones that are affected the most, because it causes them to make all new molds and adapters with the changes. But then again, any third-party company will have to make alterations knowingly that tech changes and Apple can be very inconsistent at times like removing the 3.5 mm Jack, the transition to lightning, etc.

 

[bigchief]

The possibility of a bigger screen and maybe a different ban is the reason I will wait for the series 4 before I buy my first apple watch but 3 or four years down the road I will be in the same position as the ones on this thread so.....

 

[naturalstar]

And that’s the real problem! Apple might see short term gains from people rebuying their favorite couple of bands but long term people will not get carried away with too many, understanding that they won’t be able to use them too long. Apple and third party manufacturers will suffer from the drop in demand.

If there is a change, then Apple and third party manufacturers will simply slim down their offerings for the old bands. There will still be Series 2 and Series 3 owners around and they will be supported. The Series 4 will see a ramp up in new bands as the months progress. Most likely, the new connectors will become the standard for a few years before another change occurs.

This is the same pattern for cases and other accessories for other Apple products. People will still buy what they want/need to go with their new device.

I don’t believe Apple will suffer. Third-party manufacturers should know this game as well. Change is a constant in the technology industry and devices do evolve eventually. They have to be able to adapt.

 

[Gregintosh]

I guess on one hand you know nothing lasts forever. I think if Apples new watches require all new bands I’ll definitely not get as many as before. Maybe two or three total.

 

[44267547]

I have approximately 20 bands so far, all of which are a combination of Apple and third party. Watch bands in general for the Apple Watch Don’t hold value, but Assumingly Apple will retain the band port for the Series 4 in all likeliness has me confident that I can still use all of them, I have reached a point where I stopped purchasing Apple Watch bands unless Apple can offer a new material or design choice for a watch band. I think that part has faded for me where I do enjoy the customization, but I think I have spent enough on watch bands in total.

 

[Nell]

In 9 years of owning iPhones I’ve bought, I think, two phone cases from Apple (plus maybe a couple of third party cases). In three years of owning an Apple Watch I’ve bought about a dozen straps from Apple.

I accept that at some point it may be necessary to change the connectors but if it’s something that happens once a decade I don’t think it’ll bother me but if it happens after three or four years I’ll hang on to my existing watch as long as possible and when I do change I’ll limit myself to one or two straps. I suspect there are many others who’ll do the same.

In this respect I don’t think comparisons with phone cases or getting rid of the headphone jack are particularly relevant.

 

[naturalstar]

Well, my thoughts were offered based on an objective look of Apple’s history with product design changes.

My point is that Apple has made sudden, unexpected changes to their other product offerings in the past. I cited a couple of examples. There are more that could have been used for better or worse. Apple doesn’t care what you’ve already spent on accessories - and any additional watch bands purchased are accessories - as they will move their design and technology forward as they deem fit.

Regardless, it’s clear that many have obviously spent enough on a bunch of bands where that dollar investment clouds objective reasoning. I do hope Apple keeps everything the same where we live to rock our existing band collection for another year at least. I just won’t be as surprised or as upset as most IF (BIG IF) a change does come.

Enjoy the day

 

[xanderville]

With Apple, anything is a possibility when it comes to change.

That being said, I have a little doubt that Apple would release an Apple Store exclusive Pride Band 3 months prior to the announcement of the next gen of Apple Watch only to have that band not fit the next gen watch. It is still a possibility that Apple would still make the change but a rough one at that

There is a lot of 'pride' when it comes to the representation of the support of the LGBTQ+ community and Apple

 

[AsherN]

For those saying Apple wouldn't release new bands if they intend to change the port, remember that there are still a lot of AW out there, that people will hang on to. If you have a S3, there is not a lot of reason to upgrade. Actually, other than the S0, you could hold on to your old one a while longer.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

I honestly think the Series 4 will look exactly like the Series 3 while the screen is off. Same footprint, just narrower bezels allowing a larger screen. Nothing else will change looks wise.

 

[Nell]

I honestly think the Series 4 will look exactly like the Series 3 while the screen is off. Same footprint, just narrower bezels allowing a larger screen. Nothing else will change looks wise.

This is my guess too.

 

[Krayzkat]

Me three


Edit: at least no obvious changes that are unnoticeable from an arms length with screen off.

 

[44267547]

Something else I see not many commenting on, as I’m imagining Apple will introduce another casing option aside from the aluminum, stainless and ceramic. Being This watch is going to be somewhat of a major refresh for the first time, I think Apple will have another surprise that *most* are not expecting.

 

[cwanja]

Something else I see not many commenting on, as I’m imagining Apple will introduce another casing option aside from the aluminum, stainless and ceramic. Being This watch is going to be somewhat of a major refresh for the first time, I think Apple will have another surprise that *most* are not expecting.

What are you thinking, in terms of both the fourth casing option as well as "unexpected" surprise?

 

[ActionableMango]

Didn't Samsung come out with something like that? Before the round ones they have now. It was the full definition of "UGLY" in my opinion.

Yes they did back in 2014. I don't personally care for them.

The thing is, I think the tall curved screen actually looks perfect fine. The problem making them ugly was that overall it was way too big and bulky. You can't really see that problem in the picture above, but you sure can in the picture below.

(Also the strap is kind of ugly.)