After a year 2021 with the air of cautious iteration, the year 2022 could be rich in novelties, with the arrival of a Watch dedicated to sportsmen, the introduction of a new Watch SE, replacing the late Series 3 , and an updated Series 8 in continuity.
Last year, after rumors announcing a new Watch design, the arrival of the Series 7 was a little disappointing, in any case a little too reasonable and iterative. This year, the prediction machine is picking up again, and it’s Mark Gurman’s turn to detail what his sources have whispered in his ear.
The journalist from Bloomberg thus indicates that Apple would think big this year. This would start with the breadth of the range offered. It would be no less than three Watches that will be presented: the Series 8, the Watch SE and a novelty, a Watch intended for athletes, which we have been hearing about for a few months now.
Think big for athletes
This new model would be the object of much attention and effort. Its screen would be the largest ever on board a Watch. It would measure no farther than two inches across, while the Watch Series 8 would keep the current screen size at 1.9 inches, contrary to other predictions and rumors. This change in size, which seems minimal, would however offer about 7% more display surface, which is not negligible for a screen of this size. The panel would display a definition of 410 x 502 pixels, against a maximum of 396 x 484 pixels on the Series 7 44 mm, for an identical resolution.
More room to display more information and complications, especially related to sports, no doubt. During WWDC 2022, Apple introduced a (first) series of new features for sports activities, such as running or triathlon, which will be integrated into watchOS 9 next fall.
But this new Watch would also be distinguished by its “reinforced” design. If it is difficult to imagine a Watch with the air of an unbreakable watch and not necessarily attractive to the eye, this Extreme Sports edition could benefit from a more solid metal case. Mark Gurman indicates that Apple could abandon aluminum. But he does not specify whether Tim Cook’s teams will turn away from stainless steel or even titanium. He just specifies that the metal chosen will be stronger than aluminum. This beefier case will also come with a more shock-resistant screen.
Other rumors also indicated that this Watch could adopt a more assertive, rectangular design, with straight edges and a less curved screen. Ultimately, this approach could be reminiscent of that introduced by the iPad Pro. iPad Pro, Air, mini, iPhone and Watch would then share the same aesthetic unit.
The sports watch would also be distinguished from its sisters by the size of its battery, which is more substantial to ensure better autonomy and to be able to hold up during long phases of physical effort without letting go of the user too quickly. Currently, the Watch is a good companion for short workouts or medium weekend rides, but it can be a little tight when you’re doing multiple physical activities, both in training and in competition. . On this point, Apple’s connected watches cannot compete with dedicated watches from more specialized manufacturers, such as Garmin or Suunto.
According to Mark Gurman, the three new Watch models should in any case share the same engine, the S8, which will offer performances close to those of the S7 present in the Series 7, themselves being similar to those of the S6 of the Watch Series. 6. It must be said that it was with this specific generation that a milestone in fluidity and responsiveness was reached. If more power and flexibility are always welcome, the challenge now is above all the addition of new functions without deteriorating autonomy, or even increasing it.
And precisely, among the functional novelties, Mark Gurman understands that the Watch Extreme Sports and the Series 8 will both have the ability to measure the body temperature of their user to detect a fever phase, for example. Good news if you consider that the latest predictions said the opposite.
If the new sporty Watch seems the most attractive, we should not be surprised to learn that it should also be the most expensive… without falling back into the “luxury” positioning of the very first edition of the Watch.
Bloomberg
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