Is this the Apple Watch Series 8 or another model?
RendersbyIan
The next Apple Watch is expected later this year, and a new leak , from the increasingly reliable Apple commentator ShrimpApplePro, suggests the next model is going to have a radically different design. The thing is, there’s something strangely familiar about the new look. It’s not because it features the cliff-edge sides and flat display we know from the iPhone 12 and 13 and the iPad Pro, mini and Air.
No, it’s because a number of key analysts were predicting this exact new design was going to land last year instead. Though, to be fair, that’s not what ShrimpApplePro said last year when they cautioned against rumors of a flat-glass Series 7 Watch, instead suggesting it would be the same shape as the Series 6 but with thinner bezels, a thick housing and a speaker hole shaped like a long rail, all of which happened.
This time, the tipster says “Heard from source today that there is a flat front glass display for apple watch display. High chance that this is the front glass for the Apple Watch Series 8. Haven’t heard any on how’s the redesign housing nor which model yet.”
They also predict that the new design will be ready for mass production “relatively soon, probably the same time as the front glass of the iPhone 14s.” By the way, iPhone 14s seems to mean iPhone 14 series rather than an S model of the iPhone 14.
All of which is exciting, if it’s true. The leak comes with the comment “Quite confident on this”.
So, how likely is it? I’d say it depends.
Could a lilac Apple Watch Series 8 be coming?
RendersbyIan & Jon Prosser
Apple introduced a new design last year. It has never run a new design on the Watch for just one year, and I 100% do not expect it to do so now. So, I will stick my neck out and say that last year’s Series 7 will be used again on this year’s Apple Watch. But I’m not discounting the new rumor.
That’s because there have been persistent reports of multiple Apple Watch releases this fall. A new Apple Watch SE and an all-new Watch designed for the sportier types. So, it’s possible that the new design will be used for one of those. Here’s what I think is going to happen, though, as ShrimpApplePro said last year, “take this with a grain of MSG.”
I think the new Apple Watch SE will maintain the current design but have a new processor inside it. It will drop in price and replace the Apple Watch Series 3 as the entry-level model, with the Series 3 being retired.
Could this be the Apple Watch Series 8 ruggedized watch?
RendersbyIan and Jon Prosser
Apple Watch Series 8 will look identical in shape and size to the current Apple Watch Series 7, though with a different color range, and with a new processor and additional sensors.
And finally, the predicted new design, if it appears, will be for an all-new Watch, likely the ruggedized Watch that’s been hinted at. After all, Apple made clear that the iPhone 12 was tougher against drops than the iPhone 11 not only because of the new Ceramic Shield but because the flat-edged design was intrinsically tougher. So, the same could apply to the Watch, right.
Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech, whose renders, done in conjunction with RendersbyIan feature in this post, also says there’s a strong possibility that the new Watch design could be reserved for the rugged Watch model. If so, my suspicion is that the color range will be subdued, more space gray and silver than brighter colors.
I’ll be reporting on any other changes as they come to light, so please check back, but it already looks like 2022 is going to be a very big year for the Apple Watch.
