Main topic: Apple Watch set to receive a major redesign in 2022.
Key points:
1. The upcoming Apple Watch, called "Watch X," will be the 10th edition of the device.
2. Apple plans to introduce the most significant redesign of the Apple Watch since its launch in 2015.
3. Previous annual updates to the Apple Watch have been minor, with only small changes or additions.
Apple is reportedly planning to release the fourth-generation iPhone SE in 2025, which will feature an AMOLED display instead of an IPS LCD panel. However, Apple's use of pulse width modulation (PWM) to dim the brightness of OLED displays has caused issues for some users, including headaches and eye aches. Users who are sensitive to flickering may be forced to switch to older iPhones or Android phones that do not have flickering displays.
Apple is set to unveil its latest generation of products, including the iPhone 15 series, Apple Watch Series 9, and more, at its Wonderlust event on September 12, 2023.
The Apple Watch Series 9 and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will have upgraded sensors, components, and a focus on speed, efficiency, and accuracy, including a new version of the heart rate sensor and an all-new "U2" ultra wideband chip for improved location tracking.
Apple is expected to announce new iPhones and Apple Watches at their upcoming event, but they may face challenges in convincing people to upgrade due to a slowdown in the smartphone market and the option of a cheaper battery replacement.
Apple will unveil the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 at its September 12 event, featuring a new optical heart rate sensor, improved sensors and components, and a focus on performance and speed.
Apple has announced the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra with a brighter display, faster chip, new gestures, and enhanced features for water activities, starting at $799.
Apple has unveiled the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, as well as the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, all featuring advanced features, improved performance, and new designs, with prices starting at $399 for the Apple Watch Series 9 and $799 for the iPhones. Additionally, the iPhone and AirPods will now have USB-C connectors, and iCloud+ will offer new storage options, while iOS 17 will be released as a free software update on September 18.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a new screen that is the brightest of any Apple Watch, with a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits, along with new features such as Double Tap for control and the Modular Ultra watch face.
The Apple Watch Series 9 features a new S9 chip that enables faster performance, on-device Siri processing, and a new gesture called Double Tap, enhancing the user experience of the smartwatch.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2, designed for outdoor adventures, boasts a longer battery life and faster performance with the new S9 SiP processor, while also featuring a brighter display that is easily visible in any lighting conditions.
Apple did not announce the Black Apple Watch Ultra, iPhone 15 Ultra, multiple USB-C accessories, color-matching USB-C cables for iPhone, Thunderbolt support for new iPhones, or new iPads and Macs at its recent event.
Apple announced upcoming product releases, including the new Apple Watch Series 9, AirPods Pro with USB Type-C, and Apple Watch Ultra, all available for pre-order on September 2. Other deals include an RTX 4070 GPU, Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000mAh power bank, Apple Watch SE, and a 34" Dell ultra-wide gaming monitor.
Apple has released an updated lineup of Apple Watches that will be its first carbon-neutral products, achieved through the use of recycled materials, renewable energy, and carbon offset programs.
The Apple Watch has transitioned from a luxury fashion accessory to a highly popular health and fitness tracker, leading the global smartwatch market with 22% of shipments in Q2 2023.
The Apple Watch Ultra is on sale for $700, offering a more affordable alternative to the new Apple Watch Ultra 2, while Apple's FineWoven MagSafe Wallet and HomePod 2 are also seeing discounts at $56 and $285 respectively.
Apple CEO Tim Cook opens the company's Fifth Avenue store in New York to celebrate the release of the iPhone 15 lineup, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2, as customers eagerly flock to get their hands on the new devices.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 teardowns by iFixit reveal no significant hardware changes, confirming that the new Double Tap feature is just a software update, but also highlighting the difficulty of disassembling the models due to tiny screws and strong glue.
The next iPhone SE, rumored to be released in 2025, is expected to feature a 6.1-inch OLED display, a notch for FaceID, a USB-C port, and an Action Button, according to a recent report.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a similar physical design to its predecessor, but it offers notable improvements in features and performance, such as a faster processor, increased storage, a brighter display, longer battery life, and new features like double tap gesture support and on-device Siri with health access. However, these upgrades may not be compelling enough for those who already own the previous model.
Apple has declared its first-generation gold-plated Apple Watch as "obsolete," meaning they will no longer provide repairs or spare parts for the pricey gadget.
Apple is rumored to be working on the iPhone 16 Ultra, a super-premium version of its smartphone with a larger display, solid state buttons, camera upgrades, and a higher price tag, potentially launching in 2024.
Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that the 2024 Apple Watch will not offer significant innovative experiences, such as a micro-LED display or blood glucose monitoring, but there may still be the possibility of a high-end "Apple Watch X" that offers more changes.
Apple is reportedly in negotiations with Chinese suppliers, Samsung, and LG to bring OLED displays to future iPad mini and iPad Air models by the end of 2025.
Apple's first MacBook Pro models with OLED displays are expected to launch in 2026 or 2027, as it will take a few years for Apple's supply chain partners to establish OLED manufacturing lines for mass production, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young.
Samsung is considering using Micro LED panels for its smartwatches, potentially bringing OLED-like pure blacks and LCD-like brightness without burn-in issues to future Galaxy Watches.
Samsung is reportedly developing a "Galaxy Watch Ultra" model with a MicroLED display that would be too expensive for the standard Galaxy Watch 7, potentially challenging Apple's Watch Ultra.
Samsung is considering using Micro LED technology for its future smartwatch displays, and while rumors suggest that their first Micro LED smartwatch may be released in 2024, it is more likely to happen in 2025 or later, with the timing potentially influenced by Apple's progress in adopting the technology.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has become the author's preferred running companion due to its improved features, consolidated fitness tech market, and overall wearability, with virtual pacing, adventuring features, and the ability to function as a cycling computer.
The Apple Watch Ultra, with its long battery life, bright screen, and versatile features, offers a great alternative to the more expensive Watch Ultra 2, especially with its current discounted price.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that there are currently no signs of the development of an "Apple Watch Ultra 3" and believes that the likelihood of a new Apple Watch Ultra being released in 2024 is decreasing, with a potential launch in 2025 or 2026 instead.
The release of an Apple Watch Ultra 3 in 2024 is uncertain, with a decrease in likelihood as the end of 2023 approaches, and the absence of a new model may be attributed to the need for additional time to develop health features and address production issues, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
