Apple is planning some big upgrades for the 2024 Apple Watch. Reportedly called the “Watch X,” it could debut with a slimmer chassis, a new watch band mechanism and other major changes.
With the Watch X launch, Apple plans to celebrate the Apple Watch’s 10th anniversary.
Apple Watch X could bring a new design
In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman spills the beans on the Apple Watch X. He thinks the revamped smartwatch could launch in 2024 or 2025. It reportedly will feature a thinner watch casing.
Apple also is looking at a new watch band mechanism for the first time since the smartwatch launched. The existing system takes up a lot of space that could be better utilized by fitting in a bigger battery or other internal components. So, Apple has seemingly researched using a magnetic band attachment. However, it is unclear whether it will be ready for the Watch X’s launch.
Other rumored changes include the switch to a microLED display and blood pressure monitoring. (Previous rumors indicated Apple delayed the launch of the Apple Watch Ultra with microLED display to 2025.)
Regarding the potentially radical Apple Watch redesign, Apple did something similar with the iPhone X launch in 2017. Released to celebrate the iPhone’s 10th anniversary, it brought a new design — the first without a Home Button — and other significant upgrades.
The iPhone X laid the foundation for future iPhones for at least a decade. Apple may intend to do the same with the Watch X. Plus, the smartwatch has not received any major design revamp since its debut in April 2015.
2023 Apple Watch Series 9 will pack minor upgrades
Before the Watch X arrives, though, Apple will release the Apple Watch Series 9. It should launch alongside the iPhone 15 series at Apple’s rumored September 12 event. Gurman says it will be the “most minor upgrade in the product’s history,” with a faster processor being the only notable addition.
