Where to now for Apple Watch?

[PowerMacintosh7200]

Where to for the Apple Watch? Ever since series 4 the upgrades are marginal. Always on display was a goodie. But, as each upgrade is revealed I'm more than ever curious to know, where can the watch go? Has is reached it's peak fundamental use?

I'm still on my AW4. And only now I am feeling keen and more importantly, warranted to upgrade.

Smart idea for the Ultra. Maybe Apple are seeking different target markets more so than adding bells and whistles to the now standard version.

 

[NJRonbo]

This is something I have put thought into as well.

With the PRO being the new star of the Apple watch lineup, it's the model that is going to continue getting the more significant upgrades.

Whereas the current series models will get incremental upgrades and probably not a significant boost in battery life due to its smaller form factor.

 

[mlody]

Where to for the Apple Watch? Ever since series 4 the upgrades are marginal. Always on display was a goodie. But, as each upgrade is revealed I'm more than ever curious to know, where can the watch go? Has is reached it's peak fundamental use?

I'm still on my AW4. And only now I am feeling keen and more importantly, warranted to upgrade.

Smart idea for the Ultra. Maybe Apple are seeking different target markets more so than adding bells and whistles to the now standard version.

I feel you. I am also still using S4 and I don't feel compelled to upgrade. Part of it, it is that the upgrades are marginal, another part is that I have stainless steel and the values tank much fasters, so more frequent upgrades are colossal waste of money. I am for one happy that 4 generation watch is still very capable and current, unlike for instance 4 years old iPhone which by now will definitely show its age.

 

[PowerMacintosh7200]

I feel you. I am also still using S4 and I don't feel compelled to upgrade. Part of it, it is that the upgrades are marginal, another part is that I have stainless steel and the values tank much fasters, so more frequent upgrades are colossal waste of money. I am for one happy that 4 generation watch is still very capable and current, unlike for instance 4 years old iPhone which by now will definitely show its age.

We're in the same boat. I too have the stainless steel S4 which remains working solid. And, as you mention. Due to the cost, upgrades for me need to be notable.

 

[james2538]

Where to for the Apple Watch? Ever since series 4 the upgrades are marginal. Always on display was a goodie. But, as each upgrade is revealed I'm more than ever curious to know, where can the watch go? Has is reached it's peak fundamental use?

I'm still on my AW4. And only now I am feeling keen and more importantly, warranted to upgrade.

Smart idea for the Ultra. Maybe Apple are seeking different target markets more so than adding bells and whistles to the now standard version.

I think next year will be all about connectivity, those will be the headline features.

Predictions for Series 9/Ultra v2:

• S9 SiP - An actually new chip, instead of just the rehashed S6 SiP v3. Perhaps move to 5 nm fabrication
  • This will improve battery life and allow for more features in the same form factor
• 5G Connectivity - As more carriers are flipping LTE towers to 5G, this will be needed to maintain coverage
  • May also see 802.11ac or ax (WiFi 5/6) added
• Satellite Connectivity - Carried over from the iPhone 14. I think we might only see this on the Ultra model
• Several features from the Ultra will trickle down to the Series 9
  • 2000 nit brightness
  • Dual frequency precise GPS
  • Bluetooth 5.3

I think that will be it. Series 10 (X?) will be when we finally get a redesign to the form factor. If anyone is on a Series 5 or before, I think now is the time to grab a Series 7 on sale and wait out till a redesign.

 

[NJRonbo]

Predictions for Series 9/Ultra v2:

• S9 SiP - An actually new chip, instead of just the rehashed S6 SiP v3. Perhaps move to 5 nm fabrication
  • This will improve battery life and allow for more features in the same form factor
• 5G Connectivity - As more carriers are flipping LTE towers to 5G, this will be needed to maintain coverage. This will be the headliner feature for next years presentation.
  • May also see 802.11ac or ax (WiFi 5/6) added
• Several features from the Ultra will trickle down to the Series 9
  • 2000 nit brightness
  • Dual frequency precise GPS
  • Bluetooth 5.3

I think that will be it. Series 10 (X?) will be when we finally get a redesign to the form factor. If anyone is on a Series 5 or before, I think now is the time to grab a Series 7 on sale and wait out till a redesign.

I would also add a black color option. Highly likely that will be announced

 

[james2538]

Predictions for Series 9/Ultra v2:

• S9 SiP - An actually new chip, instead of just the rehashed S6 SiP v3. Perhaps move to 5 nm fabrication
  • This will improve battery life and allow for more features in the same form factor
• 5G Connectivity - As more carriers are flipping LTE towers to 5G, this will be needed to maintain coverage. This will be the headliner feature for next years presentation.
  • May also see 802.11ac or ax (WiFi 5/6) added
• Several features from the Ultra will trickle down to the Series 9
  • 2000 nit brightness
  • Dual frequency precise GPS
  • Bluetooth 5.3

I think that will be it. Series 10 (X?) will be when we finally get a redesign to the form factor. If anyone is on a Series 5 or before, I think now is the time to grab a Series 7 on sale and wait out till a redesign.

I think if next month we get a redesigned base iPad “10” that lends more credence to this timeline.

That or Apple will wait until 2025 for a 10th anniversary redesign. So we’ll get two more generations of “meh” updates.

Or… Apple will skip over the number 9 like they did for iPhone! (I think this is least likely, we’d have heard a redesign rumor by now) So basically a big update is probably coming in anywhere from 1-3 years lol

Edit: I’m pretty sure it’ll be 2 years or whenever the next sensor is ready.

Apple has been adding a new sensor every other generation (S4, S6, S8) so I’d expect the next one to debut with the S10. Maybe even delaying the 2024 release into 2025 for the 10th anniversary.