Apple is exploring a significant redesign of its smartwatch lineup, including potential screenless trackers. While the company considers moving away from an annual upgrade cycle for its existing models, it is also reportedly planning a major tenth-anniversary overhaul, dubbed the “Apple Watch X,” for potential release in 2024 or 2025.
Broad Redesign Efforts and New Form Factors
Apple’s industrial design team has spent the last year evaluating a broader rethink
of the entire Apple Watch portfolio. According to reporting from Bloomberg, the company is looking beyond its current offerings to explore new form factors, including a screenless fitness tracker intended to compete with dedicated wearable brands like Whoop and the Fitbit Air.
The internal exploration extends to the physical design of the watches themselves. Designers have reportedly examined various display types, size options, and even a round watch face, though the latter is considered unlikely to reach the consumer market. Additionally, Apple is weighing the return of ceramic cases and introducing new color palettes and band styles to differentiate future models.
The Apple Watch X and Potential Magnetic Band System
A major overhaul is under development to mark the device’s tenth anniversary. Dubbed the Apple Watch X
—a naming convention reminiscent of the 2017 iPhone X—this model aims to modernize the hardware significantly. While the original Apple Watch was unveiled in 2014 and launched in 2015, the exact release window for the X model remains uncertain; current reports suggest it could arrive in 2024 or 2025.
A primary focus of this redesign is the physical connection between the watch and its bands. The current attachment mechanism has remained unchanged since the device’s introduction, but developers have noted that it occupies internal space that could be repurposed for larger batteries or other components. Apple is actively considering a magnetic band attachment system to reclaim this space, though it is not yet confirmed for the final release.
Shifting Upgrade Cycles and Incremental Improvements
Recent updates have been described as similar to the incremental updates that the device has received in recent years,
with the Series 9 model characterized by some as arguably the most minor upgrade in the product’s history.
Market Positioning and Pricing Strategy
Beyond the high-end redesigns, Apple is evaluating the expansion of its budget-friendly options. The company is exploring models that would exist outside the current Apple Watch SE lineup to reach a wider range of consumers. This interest in accessible hardware is underscored by efforts to bring the price of the line down to a comparatively modest price point for certain configurations, balancing premium ambitions with a wider market reach.
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