Apple is planning a complete refresh of the Apple Watch for the device's tenth anniversary, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
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In the latest edition of the “Power On” newsletter, Gurman calls the refreshed device the “Apple Watch X,” similar to the iPhone X that celebrated the iPhone’s 10th anniversary. Given that the original model was introduced in 2014 and released in 2015, Gurman isn’t sure if the X will be released in 2024 or 2025.
The company is apparently working on a thinner case for the Apple Watch X, as well as different ways to attach straps to the device. The mechanism for attaching straps to the Apple Watch case has remained the same since the device's introduction, allowing straps to be compatible across all of its different generations.
People involved in developing new Apple Watch models told Gurman that the existing strap system takes up a lot of space that could be better used for larger batteries or other internal components. As a result, the company is now considering a magnetic strap attachment system, but it's not yet clear whether it will be ready or if it will be available on the Apple Watch X.
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The Apple Watch X could also coincide with the introduction of microLED, which surpasses the color and sharpness of existing OLED displays. It could also be the first model to feature a blood pressure monitor.
Gurman added that the Apple Watch Series 9 is going to be just a “minor refresh,” similar to the incremental updates the device has received in recent years. The new devices are expected to get faster processors and new color options, but will otherwise be largely the same as existing models. Gurman says this is “arguably the smallest upgrade in the history of the product.”.
As a result, the company has recently been considering switching the Apple Watch from an annual update cycle to offering more substantial updates less frequently, Gurman says. He noted that the iPad started with an annual update cycle, but that has now slowed to a refresh about every 18 months or so.
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source of information: macrumors.com
