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You know, it may not be magnetic at all----it may be the same exact connector, with magnetic (or additional pins) to allow the usage of bands that have different functions. Meaning, you could use a "legacy" band, or swap it out for something that monitors blood pressure, for instance.

That, to me, makes far more sense than scrapping the entire band mechanism.
 
Well folks, my Rolex I bought in 1966 can have any band still being made today for that design. The difference is that the Rolex still works and does its primary function of displaying time in two time zones along with the date. I doubt any Apple Watch would still be operational in over 50 years let alone 10.

The Apple Watch is, in reality, fad jewelry and disposable when the next fad comes along.
 
As much as I don't want to buy a bunch of new bands, this can be a good thing. If Apple takes its self-imposed compatibility limitations off the table, the Apple watch team will have more flexibility in creativity/innovation. It is due for a redesign - even if it's simply taking design cues from the Ultra to the standard model. I believe we'll see more innovation if Apple has more flexibility rather than going down to a lowest-common denominator trying to retain compatibility with watch bands. I can't justify an upgrade from my Series 4; the last time, I believe there was a significant "upgrade" until perhaps the Ultra. The 9 isn't interesting enough visually or functionally to upgrade.
 
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Interesting comments, most of them from people that upgrade phones on the regular and likely throw away old phone cases. Take a beat people, there is a large market for used devices and if you take the time to sell your used bands, they can go in someone else's junk-drawer and get out of yours.

Wait...
 
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You know, it may not be magnetic at all----it may be the same exact connector, with magnetic (or additional pins) to allow the usage of bands that have different functions. Meaning, you could use a "legacy" band, or swap it out for something that monitors blood pressure, for instance.

That, to me, makes far more sense than scrapping the entire band mechanism.
The sliding band attachment mechanism wouldn't work with magnets because of how magnets work
 
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I don‘t buy it. They‘re not going to change the Ultra band attachment after only 2-3 years, i.e. with the first re-design. They could split the lines, so Series Watches with the new system, Ultra Watches with the old system, but that sounds like a mess as well.
 
The new band system must come with serious benefits over the existing one otherwise it will be a big disappointment.
Yeah if they’re just changing it to change it, that’s bad form. New phone design requiring new cases is fine because no one forces people to buy expensive cases, but watch bands are a major part of the watch and are often expensive. A new mechanism needs to be some kind of improvement or allow for some kind of improvement. I’m sure it will, but how much is the question.
 
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Well folks, my Rolex I bought in 1966 can have any band still being made today for that design. The difference is that the Rolex still works and does its primary function of displaying time in two time zones along with the date. I doubt any Apple Watch would still be operational in over 50 years let alone 10.

The Apple Watch is, in reality, fad jewelry and disposable when the next fad comes along.
Why do people do this? Keep your Rolex, no one cares. My abacus still works too, but it doesn't stop me from getting a calculator.
 
Yeah if they’re just changing it to change it, that’s bad form. New phone design requiring new cases is fine because no one forces people to buy expensive cases, but watch bands are a major part of the watch and are often expensive. A new mechanism needs to be some kind of improvement or allow for some kind of improvement. I’m sure it will, but how much is the question.
Unlike a phone case which is a separate purchase, you already get to choose the band of your liking when you buy the watch so it's not like they are forcing you to buy additional bands.
 
Or, you know, they might work with next year's model 🤷‍♂️
 
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Unless you were a 1st time buyer with the S9. Then your bands lasted 1 year. How many years was the 3.5mm audio jack around until Apple had the courage to drop it? I think the bands should last that long.
The bands continue to work on the S9. I don’t see the problem. Enjoy the old, embrace the new🤪
 
Well folks, my Rolex I bought in 1966 can have any band still being made today for that design. The difference is that the Rolex still works and does its primary function of displaying time in two time zones along with the date. I doubt any Apple Watch would still be operational in over 50 years let alone 10.

The Apple Watch is, in reality, fad jewelry and disposable when the next fad comes along.
As always, people like you compare Apples to Oranges.

An AppleWatch has so many more functions than your Rolex could ever dream about. If you don’t need them, good for you and continue having fun with your Rolex.

Meanwhile, others are appreciating the vastly increased functionality of modern Smartwatches over an old piece of jewelry that no one will care about after Generation Analog will be gone.
 
They've really run out of ideas with the watch and are slowly killing it now like they did the iPod.
The iPod had simply been integrated into the iPhones, so it wasn’t required anymore as stand-alone device. Niche scenarios notwithstanding.
 
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