I am insanely glad that my celular provider now has a 3 year upgrade cycle damn, I wanted to buy a Series 7 watch if the redesign was spot on, but thank goodness the iphone 13 and the series 7 turned out to be underwhelming upgrades to be honest. Now I can wait and let my applecare take care of the rest hehe
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What Went Wrong: Apple Watch Series 7 Rumors Edition
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Well, it means I have to wait for another year to upgrade, not buying this one!
Going into an Apple fall season, excitement typically revolves around the new iPhones. This year, however, the Apple Watch stole some of the iPhone's spotlight due to reports, leaks, and rumors suggesting it would be getting a significant redesign.
One of the biggest surprises during Apple's "California streaming" event was the new Apple Watch, not because of the features or design it included, but instead, the features and designs it didn't.
Flat-Edged Design? Not so fast...
In the weeks and months leading up to the event, credible reports from reliable journalists and leakers suggested the new Apple Watch would be sporting a flat-edged design. The first time we heard of the 2021 Apple Watch getting a redesign was from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who stated in September of 2020, exactly a year before Apple's "California streaming" event, that the new watch will receive a "significant redesign" in 2021 "at the earliest."
In the months that followed Kuo's report, rumors were quiet and stale regarding the 2021 Apple Watch as the focus shifted to more immediate products released throughout 2020. The second time we heard and saw the alleged redesign for the Apple Watch was from Apple leaker Jon Prosser, who in May shared renders depicting an Apple Watch with fully flat-edges, similar to the iPhone and iPad.
In the video sharing the renders, Prosser noted that the renders, he believed, showcased the Apple Watch Series 7, given that Kuo had previously mentioned a significant redesign. Prosser, at the time, however, could not confidently label the design he leaked as the upcoming Apple Watch but became increasingly confident in doing so as the weeks and months went on.
Shortly after, in June, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported several aspects of the Apple Watch Series 7 that turned out to be accurate. In his first report for the new watch, Gurman noted that it would have a larger display with thinner bezels, a new lamination technique, and a faster processor. Gurman pointed out that the Series 7 would include updated ultra wideband capabilities, but that doesn't seem to be the case now.
In reports and newsletters after, Gurman reported that the Apple Watch Series 7 would feature flat-edges, corroborating Prosser's previously showcased renders. Gurman, however, accurately stated the Series 7 would be equipped with new watch faces, bands and feature significantly more pixels with a redesigned display.
Is miscommunication to blame?
Given that Kuo, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and leaker Jon Prosser, the most reputable sources for Apple's unreleased product plans, have all reported a flat-edged Apple Watch, it's difficult to dispute its existence within the walls of Apple's labs and offices.
The Apple Watch is a product that garners many rumors and reports, specifically targeting future health capabilities. Recent reporting suggests that next year's Apple Watch, the Series 8, will feature more powerful health sensors and features. Our expectations and the reports of a flat-edged design may have simply been wrongly attributed to the Series 7, while Apple's plans for a complete redesign were aimed for 2022 all along.
Apple is a company that builds on yearly iterative improvements, building on features to achieve an even more all-encompassing product, and that is especially the case for the Apple Watch. With the Series 7, Apple is adding a larger display, improved battery life and energy efficiency, and is elevating the experience of watchOS 8. Using these upgrades, the company is further prepared to launch a redesign of the Apple Watch next year, featuring flat-edges and advanced health sensors.
Alternatively, but highly unlikely, is that Apple made last-minute design changes to the Apple Watch due to production issues. Two weeks before the Series 7 was announced, a report revealed that Apple and its suppliers were struggling to reach "satisfactory" quality levels of the device during "small-scale" production.
While some may speculate the possibility that coupled with the Apple Watch's small footprint and rumored flat-edges, Apple had to suddenly make last-minute design changes, it's worth noting that Apple plans and tests products months, if not years in advance, so it would certainly be unprecedented and nearly impossible for the company to have altered its plans at such a late date.
One thing, however, is for sure, whether or not last-minute design changes were made to the Series 7, is that it's a peculiar release. For example, on Apple's website, the company lacks offering specifications for the new watch, leaving only marketing material boasting about the new and larger display and the features in watchOS 8.
Most striking of all is the lack of information regarding availability and prices for the Apple Watch Series 7. Apple only states it's coming later this fall, which leaves the door open for a release as late as November, and the lack of information regarding pricing beyond the starting price of $399.
Conclusion
Of course, we'll never know for certain what happened and whether Apple had last-minute design changes, or whether all of the previous rumors and reports were simply meant for the Series 8, rather than the Series 7. As stated above, Apple hasn't provided any dates on availability or pricing for the Apple Watch Series 7 and may do so during its rumored second event for the fall, now expected to headline new Apple silicon Macs.
Article Link: What Went Wrong: Apple Watch Series 7 Rumors Edition
I’m glad the rumors were wrong. That would be uncomfortable to have something with sharp edges on your wrist.
+
You also can't discount the possibility that this was disinformation by Apple's own teams, designed to burn the sources of the leaks to Prosser and Gurman.
Hope you remember that based on “leaks” Chinese managed to produce knock offs of not existing Apple Watch Series 7 way in advance… That’s IP theft Apple is against. I hope they are now actively fighting against “leakers” to stop this nonsense.
Leakers are looking to be “viral” and earn some easy $$ on company that actually produce something (not letters in posts or fake psd images).
Leakers are looking to be “viral” and earn some easy $$ on company that actually produce something (not letters in posts or fake psd images).
MacRumors relies on these sources for articles, views, and indirectly, revenue.
Now they’re making excuses.
“What went wrong?” 😂 I’ll tell you what: someone made stuff up, and they believed it.
Guess what? The edges of the Series 8 won’t be flat either. Why would Apple spend the time, money, and other resources to alter the design of the Watch, completely changing the crystal and screen layer underneath, just to throw it all away in 12 months?
The decision to use this design was made many, many months ago.
I’m not convinced this was a tactic by Apple to catch leakers. Something more subtle like color options or that SatCom feature is more believable. The issue I see with a huge redesign false leak is the potential to disappoint many potential upgraders who wouldn’t otherwise purchase an “S” model. I was looking forward to the rumored redesign for a few reasons. One was being bored of the current design and also to have a consistent design language among the device lineup.
I’m in the camp that this was a late switcheroo by Apple but it’s just my opinion. The evidence to me points in that direction. This could’ve been a refreshed SE model but changed it to the S7 after some production issues. That Max Tech video sure was interesting and the fact that the S3 is still for sale is definitely fishy to me as well.
And how about that keyboard, eh??? I’m serious, been wanting a native keyboard on the watch for the longest. Call me crazy but that’s one of the reasons I’m upgrading to the S7 from an S6 lol.
I’m in the camp that this was a late switcheroo by Apple but it’s just my opinion. The evidence to me points in that direction. This could’ve been a refreshed SE model but changed it to the S7 after some production issues. That Max Tech video sure was interesting and the fact that the S3 is still for sale is definitely fishy to me as well.
And how about that keyboard, eh??? I’m serious, been wanting a native keyboard on the watch for the longest. Call me crazy but that’s one of the reasons I’m upgrading to the S7 from an S6 lol.
I did not read a single rumors, leaks or reporties this entire years thus was not disapointed 👍
Going into an Apple fall season, excitement typically revolves around the new iPhones. This year, however, the Apple Watch stole some of the iPhone's spotlight due to reports, leaks, and rumors suggesting it would be getting a significant redesign.
One of the biggest surprises during Apple's "California streaming" event was the new Apple Watch, not because of the features or design it included, but instead, the features and designs it didn't.
Flat-Edged Design? Not so fast...
In the weeks and months leading up to the event, credible reports from reliable journalists and leakers suggested the new Apple Watch would be sporting a flat-edged design. The first time we heard of the 2021 Apple Watch getting a redesign was from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who stated in September of 2020, exactly a year before Apple's "California streaming" event, that the new watch will receive a "significant redesign" in 2021 "at the earliest."
In the months that followed Kuo's report, rumors were quiet and stale regarding the 2021 Apple Watch as the focus shifted to more immediate products released throughout 2020. The second time we heard and saw the alleged redesign for the Apple Watch was from Apple leaker Jon Prosser, who in May shared renders depicting an Apple Watch with fully flat-edges, similar to the iPhone and iPad.
In the video sharing the renders, Prosser noted that the renders, he believed, showcased the Apple Watch Series 7, given that Kuo had previously mentioned a significant redesign. Prosser, at the time, however, could not confidently label the design he leaked as the upcoming Apple Watch but became increasingly confident in doing so as the weeks and months went on.
Shortly after, in June, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported several aspects of the Apple Watch Series 7 that turned out to be accurate. In his first report for the new watch, Gurman noted that it would have a larger display with thinner bezels, a new lamination technique, and a faster processor. Gurman pointed out that the Series 7 would include updated ultra wideband capabilities, but that doesn't seem to be the case now.
In reports and newsletters after, Gurman reported that the Apple Watch Series 7 would feature flat-edges, corroborating Prosser's previously showcased renders. Gurman, however, accurately stated the Series 7 would be equipped with new watch faces, bands and feature significantly more pixels with a redesigned display.
Is miscommunication to blame?
Given that Kuo, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and leaker Jon Prosser, the most reputable sources for Apple's unreleased product plans, have all reported a flat-edged Apple Watch, it's difficult to dispute its existence within the walls of Apple's labs and offices.
The Apple Watch is a product that garners many rumors and reports, specifically targeting future health capabilities. Recent reporting suggests that next year's Apple Watch, the Series 8, will feature more powerful health sensors and features. Our expectations and the reports of a flat-edged design may have simply been wrongly attributed to the Series 7, while Apple's plans for a complete redesign were aimed for 2022 all along.
Apple is a company that builds on yearly iterative improvements, building on features to achieve an even more all-encompassing product, and that is especially the case for the Apple Watch. With the Series 7, Apple is adding a larger display, improved battery life and energy efficiency, and is elevating the experience of watchOS 8. Using these upgrades, the company is further prepared to launch a redesign of the Apple Watch next year, featuring flat-edges and advanced health sensors.
Alternatively, but highly unlikely, is that Apple made last-minute design changes to the Apple Watch due to production issues. Two weeks before the Series 7 was announced, a report revealed that Apple and its suppliers were struggling to reach "satisfactory" quality levels of the device during "small-scale" production.
While some may speculate the possibility that coupled with the Apple Watch's small footprint and rumored flat-edges, Apple had to suddenly make last-minute design changes, it's worth noting that Apple plans and tests products months, if not years in advance, so it would certainly be unprecedented and nearly impossible for the company to have altered its plans at such a late date.
One thing, however, is for sure, whether or not last-minute design changes were made to the Series 7, is that it's a peculiar release. For example, on Apple's website, the company lacks offering specifications for the new watch, leaving only marketing material boasting about the new and larger display and the features in watchOS 8.
Most striking of all is the lack of information regarding availability and prices for the Apple Watch Series 7. Apple only states it's coming later this fall, which leaves the door open for a release as late as November, and the lack of information regarding pricing beyond the starting price of $399.
Conclusion
Of course, we'll never know for certain what happened and whether Apple had last-minute design changes, or whether all of the previous rumors and reports were simply meant for the Series 8, rather than the Series 7. As stated above, Apple hasn't provided any dates on availability or pricing for the Apple Watch Series 7 and may do so during its rumored second event for the fall, now expected to headline new Apple silicon Macs.
Article Link: What Went Wrong: Apple Watch Series 7 Rumors Edition
I dont mind his video, I just dont like that are a huge group of people just take his word for it as gospel.
I think the very first Apple Watch presentation had less information
I think Apple is going for the Porsche 911 design evolution here. Small steps to keep it the most iconic design in the business... Everyone knows from a mile away, it's an Apple Watch
Well, you are in macrumors, so you should care at least a little bit that "leakers" don't share their baseless predictions as pure leaks of information. There should be some basic rules when sharing information about future Apple products: it is either supply chain sources, inside information, or gut feeling and pure guessing/predictions. There is a HUGE difference.
i dont get why people salivate over watching him "fail" - it's like people around here have absolutely nothing better to do than hate the guy for...absolutely no reasonable reason.
especially when he is one of a wide group of analysts / leakers who all got this wrong.
so....what's going on? are you also loving that the rest were proven wrong? or you just have irrational hatred for people you dont know.
Regardless of those rumors, I am pretty disappointed 😕😠. I'm going to skip Series 7 and hope Series 8 will bring more significant improvements. You can do better Apple!
I think you may be correct. These dumb asses got the V8 design leaks and run stories with it thinking it was V7 and making everyone else believe it.
Amateurish? He means Jeff being a little uncomfortable in front of camera? And surely, even the animations in the marketing films would take months to produce. If Prosser could provide some evidence to bak up the claims, perhaps by determining what month it was filmed, I'd consider believing him.
Still, it's nice to know Apple prepares parallell production lines and marketing for its products…
It has a new body so a late switcheroo just lacks logic. It isn't like they ran with the old design and upgraded a couple of internals though even that I would doubt. These things are planned WAY ahead of time. Your theory is they had another new design waiting as a backup plan and switched to it, it is not realistic.
Excuses, excuses.
Makes no sense to anyone actually thinking about it.
He'll do this same crap next year if the iPhone 14 doesn't have a punch hole camera. He was wrong and should just own it.
You disagree there was a manufacturing issue? Explain then why we have no preorder date or even specs list for the apple watch series 7
I never said there wasn't a manufacturing issue. I said they didn't bring in some new design that was waiting as a backup plan when said issue happened. I believe this was ALWAYS going to be the look of the S7.
This is what I'd be interested to know, given the number of devices Apple produces, what kind of lead time do they typically need to finalize design, order parts, etc.? I keep seeing people say "last minute" changes, maybe that was like 6 months ago or something. Also, I'd be curious to know what the production issues are and why Apple just has a "Fall" release for a device that seems mostly unchanged. Even though I'm bummed out at no new design language or health sensors, I'm still interested in the "quality of life" upgrades the Series 7 is bringing with the brighter AOD screen and faster charging.