Apple is reportedly working on a major “Watch X” revamp for the Apple Watch to commemorate its 10th anniversary, just like it did with the iPhone X in 2017, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter.
Gurman reports that the radically revamped model, dubbed “Watch X,” will be the “biggest overhaul yet” for the Apple Watch. The overhauled model is set to be released either in 2024 or 2025, with the company’s designers reportedly considering a slimmer design and new ways to attach bands to the watch case. The new band attachment system will reportedly be magnetic, a major change from the current sliding clip-on mechanism, which is said to currently occupy a lot of valuable space that can be used for additional sensors or battery capacity.
Apple is planning a “Watch X” model to mark the device’s 10-year anniversary, and it promises to be the biggest overhaul yet. (The category was unveiled in 2014 and released the following year, so Apple is planning to launch Watch X either in 2024 or 2025.)
To that end, the company has explored a new magnetic band attachment system, though it’s unclear if it will be ready or used in the Watch X revamp. Even bigger changes are coming as well: a microLED display that tops the color and clarity of the current OLED screens, as well as a technology for monitoring blood pressure.
Mark Gurman for Bloomberg
Other changes planned for Watch X include a new microLED panel, which was previously rumored to be included on a refreshed Apple Watch Ultra model by 2025 or 2026. Apple is also working to expand its array of health sensors on its smartwatch, and the long-rumored blood pressure sensor could also make its debut on Watch X, adds Gurman.
Longer Apple Watch upgrade cycle
Gurman also shared some tidbits regarding the internal development process of the Apple Watch. The company executives reportedly considered stretching the Apple Watch’s upgrade cycle from its current annual basis to something more similar to the iPad or Mac. Recent upgrades to the Apple Watch have been fairly minor, and due to this, Apple’s top brass has apparently “pondered” the idea of releasing a new Apple Watch model on a longer time schedule than the current annual one.
Gurman finally reiterates his expectations for this year’s Apple Watch Series 9 upgrade, which will be a minor change compared to last year’s Series 8. Headlining features for Series 9 will consist of “faster processors and fresh colors,” with no other changes expected to its design, sizes, or health sensors.
