Once upon a clock time , rumors of an overhauled Apple Watch with a flat design circled the internet around the time theSeries 7was due to make it . Despite that rumour ’s persistence , it never materialise , and all we got at the time was a more or less larger Series 6 . History tends to recur itself , and Apple watchers will call in a interchangeable hearsay in front of this year’sSeries 10launch . Reputable leakers had suggest that 2024 ’s Apple Watch would boast the most significant service yet , only for the Series 10 to come in the Series 7 ’s stride . So , what give ?

What we expected

Just like the iPhone X , the Apple Watch Series X — as it was rumored to be call — was expect to mark a major milepost for Apple ’s X - previous wearable . It was rumor to land radical changes , including a new flatter pattern with a much thinner case along with a newmagnetic band adhesion mechanics .

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The Apple Watch Series 7 was once rumored to get a major redesign.

The Apple Watch Series 7 was once rumored to get a major redesign .

Beyond the trivial change , initial rumors point to the increase of ablood pressure monitor , which would alert users when it detects hypertension . This would ’ve further enriched the Apple Watch ’s wellness - related capability and potentially help affected substance abuser become aware of the underlying medical conditions .

Given that Tim Cook unveiled the first Apple Watch as a One More Thing on the dot a decade before the Glowtime event , it made sense for Apple to fete the occasion through the sleeker form factor and fresh wellness sensor . Expectations were high leading into the event for the most significant Apple Watch overhaul ever .

Apple Watch Series 7 rumored redesign with flat edges and new colors

The Apple Watch Series 7 was once rumored to get a major redesign.

What we perplex instead

Of of course , that did n’t happen . All we got was an incremental Apple Watch Series 10 upgrade with very few meaningful new features .

While the iPhone maker claim that the Series 10 features an all - novel design , our eyes see otherwise . The overall case still count identical to its recent predecessors . Apple may boast about a 10 - percent thinner physical body but it boils down to just a single millimeter compared to the Series 9 ( 10.7 mm to 9.7 mm ) that many users wo n’t remark . I receipt that slimming down an advanced smartwatch by even 1 mm is no easy task , but call it an all - new design is a picayune disingenuous — especially when rumors were claim there would actually be an all - fresh aim .

Apple Watch series 10 in jet black

The Apple Watch Series 10 is nice, but it’s hardly an all-new design.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is gracious , but it ’s hardly an all - unexampled innovation .

orchard apple tree

Beyond that , the Al models are now around two grams lighter , which wo n’t really impact your life in any mode . In Apple ’s vindication , however , the new atomic number 22 strain are importantly idle than their ( now - retired ) unsullied steel vis-a-vis , despite share the same outer flavor . ( And let ’s not forget that previous Apple Watch Editions were available in titanium . )

Apple Watch Ultra 2 review - night mode

With the exception of the Ultra, the Apple Watch hasn’t really changed much since its 2015 launch.

In the health section , blood pressure monitoring is a no - show , reportedly due to some engineering science difficulty . Meanwhile , Apple has n’t managed to obtain an alternative to itsblood - atomic number 8 sensor , which it no longer offers in the U.S. due to a patent of invention difference of opinion . The sensor is presumably include on the Series 10 but handicapped , but even so , there ’s no meter reading that Apple will trade it on anytime soon .

And while the Apple Watch Series 10 will be able-bodied to notice sleep apnea , the feature wo n’t be exclusive , as the Series 9 and Ultra 2 will offer it , too . In short , Apple ’s 2024 smartwatch takes a step backwards when it comes to health monitoring .

With the exclusion of the Ultra , the Apple Watch has n’t really changed much since its 2015 launch .

Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm)

Jim Martin / Foundry

Otherwise , the Series 10 unleashes a new built - in loudspeaker , allowing Apple Watch users to blast music or podcasts without using AirPods — which is fine but please do n’t when you ’re in public . It also borrow other Apple Watch Ultra 2 perks , such as the deepness gauge ( with some limitation ) and water temperature sensor .

Is it a noteworthy upgrade for someone come from a Series 6 ? Yes , without a incertitude . But does it take the same vainglorious saltation forwards as the iPhone X and adopt groundbreaking changes to differentiate the decade ? Far from that .

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Is there any promise ?

I find it frustrating that we ’ve now gone through two unit of ammunition of major Apple Watch redesign rumors that did n’t come to realisation . While Apple has notably improved the smartwatch ’s esthetics throughout the years , it finally still looks the same . We ’ve obviously drop dead through a few size increases and bezel reductions . However , its build has largely stay unaltered , and the agency we interact with it has n’t evolved much . And no , the bivalent - tap gesture is not it .

Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm)

Nevertheless , I still have some hope . While the Apple Watch was announce in September 2014 , it did n’t go on sale until April 2015 . So , it ’s possible Apple mark the 10th anniversary with a new manakin in 2025 . This could be through a special edition with those rumored magnetised dance band attachments and a further slimming of the Apple Watch ’s sizing that forgoes some of the higher - end wellness characteristic . After all , the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to make its introduction with a focussing on its ultra - sparse body rather than high - remainder feature , and Apple could go for a exchangeable approach with its smartwatch , allowing customer to choose between a stylish design or high - end features .

Ultimately , it ’s too early to infer what product we ’ll see next year . Plans change , paradigm get axe , and AirPowers get forever locked in surreptitious basements . What I sleep together for indisputable , though , is that I wo n’t be falling for Apple Watch pattern variety leaks go frontwards .