Apple Watch Series 7 – will the Series 8 Pro look different?
This fall, Apple seems likely to reveal three new Apple Watch models: Apple Watch Series 8, a new Apple Watch SE and what’s shaping up to be the most intriguing of all, likely to be called Apple Watch Series 8 Pro or just Apple Watch Pro.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman leaks more details, and some of them are definitely not what we were expecting.
No flat edge design
You may remember last year that details leaked of an all-new Apple Watch design, with flat edges, rather like the iPhone 13 and iPad Air (or, come to that, the new MacBook Air). This was believed to be the new design for the Apple Watch Series 7, though some analysts were skeptical. That striking new look didn’t appear, with the redesign being subtler.
Aha, said some of those wrong-footed tipsters, we were right, just a bit early. In other words, that design would land this fall. As rumors of a new Apple Watch designed for lovers of extreme sports emerged, it seemed that this new model, the Pro version in other words, would come with this leaked design.
There was some logic to this: it seemed that the Pro would have a case 2mm taller than the current Series 7, that is 45mm instead of the 45mm of Series 7.
But Gurman is specific that this does not mean a switch to the rumored cliff-edge look. He says, “It will be an evolution of the current rectangular shape, and not circular. It also won’t have those rumored flat sides (for those who will undoubtedly ask).”
That doesn’t tell us exactly what the Pro model will look like, but it very specifically rules out what many people thought it would.
How about that display?
This is another surprise. Having heard rumors that the Pro would come with a display that’s around 7% bigger than on Series 7, measuring almost exactly 2 inches on the diameter, more details are suggested now. It had been though that the bigger display would be accommodated in a Watch not much bigger than the larger Series 7. But now, Gurman indicates it will be so big that it could people off.
He says, “I’m told that the high-end model is going to be a good bit bigger than the standard Apple Watch—big enough that it might only appeal to a subset of customers.”
I use a 45mm Series 7 and it’s easily big enough for me, so maybe I’m not in that subset. On the other hand, I took a long time to try out a Plus size iPhone and now I’m a convert, so maybe I just need another leap of faith. There are much bigger smartwatches on the market and I believe Apple will not be troubling those for the Biggest Watch Ever accolade.
What’s it made of?
The entry-level Watch is made of aluminum, with higher-end models using stainless steel, titanium or even ceramic. Gurman says that the Pro will be titanium. That’s not entirely surprising, given how strong and lightweight titanium is. The new report is more specific: “In terms of materials, the watch will have a more durable formulation of titanium to make it extra rugged.”
Titanium, then, but not as we know it on the current Apple Watch Edition.
Battery life
In his final new detail, Gurman specifies one of the most important things about a gadget: battery longevity. The Pro, he claims will have longer battery life. Specifically, he believes it will last for “perhaps multiple days on one charge via the new low-power mode”.
He also comments that Apple Watch Series 8 (regular as well as Pro) will have a body-temperature sensor, which is an exciting health addition.
