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.
Google's second Pixel Watch, the Pixel Watch 2, will come pre-installed with Android 13 (Wear OS 4) and will feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip. The new smartwatch is rumored to have a lightweight aluminum body and a slightly larger battery capacity compared to its predecessor.
The main topic is the Amazfit Cheetah Pro, a high-end fitness smartwatch designed for runners.
Key points:
- The Amazfit Cheetah Pro offers similar fitness data and battery longevity to Garmin watches at a lower price.
- It has a comfortable and lightweight design, with affordable GPS accuracy.
- The watch includes features like a built-in microphone and speaker, but may not offer as much accuracy or detailed fitness data as other brands.
Samsung's One UI Watch 5 update brings new features to older Wear OS Galaxy smartwatches, including the ability to organize apps in folders for improved accessibility and organization.
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 announce its next generation of mobile products, including the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra, at its upcoming Wonderlust event, with the Ultra expected to have significant design improvements and both watches potentially featuring upgraded sensors and processors.
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.
Garmin is offering discounts on a variety of its smartwatches and fitness trackers, making it the perfect time to shop for a new device with excellent durability, battery life, and health and fitness tracking features.
The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a durable and stylish smartwatch that is currently on sale for 42% off on Amazon, offering a range of health and fitness features including coaching, animated workouts, heart rate monitoring, incident detection, and music downloads, with a battery life of up to eight days in Smartwatch mode.
Apple is replacing leather wristbands on its Apple Watch Series with a new "FineWoven" material as part of its effort to become more environmentally friendly and carbon neutral.
Apple has announced that watchOS 10, which includes new features such as widgets, redesigned system apps, and advanced workout features, will be available starting September 18 for Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models.
The Huawei Watch 4/Watch 4 Pro offers non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, while the Apple Watch Ultra is a top-end watch with a durable titanium exterior and extended battery life; the rumored Google Pixel Watch 2 may feature an enhanced version of the Body Response stress detection system; the Amazfit Cheetah incorporates generative AI coaching, and the Fitbit Ace 4 is designed as a fitness tracker watch for children; finally, the Citizen Smart Touchscreen Gen-2 is an AI-assisted watch powered by IBM's Watson AI engine.
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.
Huawei's Watch GT 4 is the company’s most accomplished smartwatch yet, featuring a fashion-focused design and an impressive set of features that rival the best Android smartwatches on the market.
Apple's recent advertising strategy focuses on the potential lifesaving capabilities of its products, including the Apple Watch and iPhone, featuring scenarios where these devices have saved people's lives from various dangers, such as low heart rates, blizzards, and car accidents. These safety features, along with new additions like satellite connectivity and Roadside Assistance, not only differentiate Apple's newer devices but also have the potential to generate revenue as part of their growing services sector.
The Apple Watch Series 9 disappoints by not offering more accurate location tracking through dual-frequency GPS, which many other fitness brands have implemented in their watches at a lower price point.
Xiaomi is set to release the Watch 2 Pro, its first Wear OS smartwatch in three years, which will directly compete with other established smartwatches such as the Galaxy Watch6, Pixel Watch 2, and TicWatch Pro 5.
Samsung's dominance in the smartwatch market may soon be challenged by upcoming Wear OS-based smartwatches from Google, OnePlus, and Xiaomi, including the Google Pixel Watch 2 with improved hardware and features like a skin temperature sensor.
The Galaxy Watch 6 is the first smartwatch with WearOS 4 and offers a range of features, making it a smooth operator.
Garmin is expected to release the Vivoactive 5, a new smartwatch with an AMOLED display and improved battery life, making it a strong contender against the Apple Watch Series 9.
The Pixel Watch 2 is expected to have advanced health features, a safety check feature, faster internals, and new watch bands, making it a significant upgrade over its predecessor.
Xiaomi has announced its first smartwatch running Wear OS, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, which offers high-end features and health tracking capabilities at a lower price compared to Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.
Fitbit is releasing the Charge 6, a fitness tracker with improved heart rate tracking and deep integration with Google apps, aiming to provide health and fitness features at a more affordable price than smartwatches like the Google Pixel Watch, Apple Watch, or Samsung Galaxy Watch.
The Galaxy Watch 5, available at a discounted price on Amazon, is a solid choice for Android users looking for a feature-rich smartwatch without breaking the bank.
Apple has added all first-generation Apple Watch models to its obsolete products list, meaning they are no longer eligible for repairs or service.
Apple is rumored to be bringing microLED display technology to the Apple Watch Ultra, with the display expected to launch in either 2025 or 2026, and plans to eventually incorporate the technology into other products such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs to reduce reliance on Samsung.
Apple's first generation Watch, including the Hermes and 18-karat gold Watch Edition models, has officially become obsolete, leading to debates about planned obsolescence.
The original Apple Watch Edition models, which were priced between $10,000 and $17,000, have been deemed "obsolete" by Apple and are no longer supported, leaving them as mere pieces of gold rather than functional timekeepers.
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.
The Pixel Watch 2, announced at Google's Made by Google event, offers improved health and fitness tracking, longer battery life, better integration with Google services, and is made with 100% recycled aluminum. It also features advanced sensors for heart-rate and blood oxygenation monitoring, automatic workout tracking, heart zone training, and AI capabilities for insight into your health data. The watch uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 5100 chip for better power efficiency and has a bigger battery, promising all-day battery life. Pre-orders for the Pixel Watch 2 are available now, starting at $349.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 are both strong contenders in the smartwatch market, with the Pixel Watch 2 offering modern fitness and health tech while the Galaxy Watch 5 provides a powerful alternative with multiple health sensors and a matured feature set.
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.
The Pixel Watch 2 offers incremental improvements over its predecessor, with a focus on health tracking and integration with the Fitbit platform, but lacks compelling features to justify an upgrade from the original model, making it one of the best smartwatches available but not a significant leap forward.
The Pixel Watch 2 is a solid upgrade over its predecessor, with improvements in performance, battery life, and health tracking, making it one of the best smartwatches of the year, although it still has some downsides like its small size, thick bezels, and delicate form factor.
