A new research note claims Apple is working on a new smartwatch for 2024 that will have a brighter and much larger screen than any previous model.
In a research note for Haitong International Securities (seen and discussed by MacRumors), analyst Jeff Pu says the new device will feature a micro-LED display, something never previously seen on an Apple Watch. This will enable the screen to be brighter than the OLED versions on current models; even that of the Apple Watch Ultra, which offers up to 2,000 nits for improved outdoor usability.
The upgraded screen will also be larger than that of the Ultra, which was itself the biggest ever Apple Watch screen when it launched in fall 2022–although not by much. The Ultra’s screen measures 1.92 inches diagonally, compared to 1.9 inches for the largest versions of the Series 7 and 8. (This might seem disappointing given how much larger the Ultra’s chassis is than those of its cheaper siblings, but the extra bulk is mostly taken up by a larger battery, an extra button, and physical reinforcements to make it more robust.) By contrast with this small increase in screen real estate, the 2024 model will reportedly jump to a diagonal measurement of 2.1 inches.
With 2023 barely under way, it’s early days for 2024 rumors, and worth bearing in mind that even currently sound information could fall down as Apple’s plans change. For that matter, Pu has a spotty predictive record–from a relatively small number of calls, he’s sitting on an AppleTrack accuracy rating of just 50 percent–and we’ve not heard similar claims from other pundits. We’d rate this prediction as somewhat plausible, but it will remain in the “pinch of salt” category until we get some corroboration.
Pu’s research note also mentions the “AirPods Lite,” a lower-priced version of Apple’s wireless earbuds intended to compete with budget rivals.
