Per title. We knew it was coming some day, tho perhaps not this soon. Will you be upset if you need ugly adapter to make your extensive + expensive watchband collection work?
My band from the first Apple Watch fits my Ultra. I’m happy they’ve lasted that long and look forward to new strap innovations whether they lose existing compatibility or not.
Thanks!! Interesting! I guess I thought the Ultra was its own, special animal.
I would be a bit upset. I have a pretty decent collection of only OEM bands.
Thanks! Same here. I’ll make better decisions if/when new-connector bands drop!!
I’m open minded if there is a good reason for it but I don’t see how the current design can be substantially improved upon. It’s both very secure and very easy to switch bands.
Thanks! Some say current bands take up space that could be used to slim down and modernize AW appearance.
Im not expecting any additional functionality but i imagine they may just make it more efficient for the use of space
I think that would annoy a lot of people, me included.
its one of those weird they just got it right the first time things… I just went from a S7 to an Ultra 2 and I moved my white nike band along with it. works great.
Think of how much revenue they’re missing by not changing the band. All the people said that’s why they kept lighting around for so long was the $$ in licensing it generated. /s
No i plan on keeping my s9 for a couple of years hopefully
Obviously I will be glad if I won’t be able to use my watch bands
My S7 can last another year or two. I’ll feel less bad about exploring other brands if I can’t use the existing bands.
No, after 10 years of band compatibility I think that’s more than enough for an accessory. The Apple Watch innovation can’t be stopped to support the previous bands.
What innovation would require a switch up other than making more money? Design doesn’t need to change to welcome innovation imo
imo it could look more seamless going into the watch. pixel watch has a clever design.
That would be a nice change. What I don’t like at the moment is the part that you push into the watch. In some combinations the colors don’t match and look just bad.
next innovation will come with watch band adapter for $9.99 and $14.99 for titanium version
Only? I’d say more like 69.90$ and 99.90$
Depends on whether we’re talking official Apple, or Chinese knock-off from the same factory.
Innovation? You’re joking right?
Yes🥹
I won’t be upset, but I don’t think that will happen. I also don’t think there will be an “Apple Watch X” as opposed to an S10 and Ultra 3.
Interesting! So you don’t think they’ll capitalize on “anniversary edition”? Something that makes those before it … from across a room … look “vintage”? Like seeing someone w/iP Home Button, Touch Bar Mac or inch wide bezel on iPad? For some, I think The Look outweighs features.
Wow, you really don’t deserve the downvotes here. I mean, I totally disagree with you, but the questions are worth addressing…
Apple has really only branded one anniversary product, the Macintosh, which was a flop (for a variety of reasons). I tried to find my previous comment on this, but I doubted there would be an iPhone X and about a year later went back to admit I was wrong, so I could be wrong again, but I was wrong about the branding, not the concept.
With the iPhone X, I believe, the development of the device came before the branding. The branding was an afterthought and not really accurate. The iPhone X was the 14th released iPhone and was announced 10.5 years after the original iPhone was released and even longer after the original announcement.
It seems like Apple wanted to transition the iPhone to FaceID and provide a mostly display front side, but knowing this could face resistance decided to release two iPhone lines (the 8, 8 Plus and the X) , with one continuing the old form and one representing where Apple wanted to go. Think X in terms of eXperimental as opposed to 10.
I really don’t think development followed branding, as the goal of Apple is to develop against the competition year after year. Every incremental improvement translates into billions of dollars as consumers choose iPhone over Android, so they don’t hold things back, nor are they motivated by “it’s the 10-ish anniversary”.
The Apple Watch already had its eXperimental transition with the Ultra. It looks like people are going to split between the two and both will be maintained moving forward.
More importantly, the Ultra didn’t obsolete bands.
Band specs have slightly changed over the years, and I believe they will continue to do so. Apple may at some point find some technical reason to make a major change but it will be due to something like sensors or other functionality and not just to accommodate a different aesthetic design and certainly not to do so because of a 10-ish anniversary.
To be clear, Apple may call it the Series X and it may coincide with an upgrade that is more significant than what we’ve seen in the past couple of years (that isn’t hard to do), but it won’t be as significant as the Ultra and if they do an “anniversary edition” it’s going to be something like a ceramic version of the S10 or some other jewelry-like premium edition.
Thank you for the support re: my questions and for thoroughly laying out your case. Very legit reasons presented why next year may NOT be the up/ending change some predict. I guess we’ll all see soon enough. Appreciate you!!
lol Touch Bar Mac is “vintage?” Gtfo lol 😂
Haha! You know what I mean. I see you across the room and notice your Touch Bar. I immediately know you didn’t fall for the update hype!! For some ppl, this “across the room view” is reason enough to upgrade.
Me: I hope my M1 MBP has a longgggg life!!
I think Apple is very keen to ensure that you’re able to tell when someone’s wearing an Apple Watch, and they’re happy with the general silhouette of the watch as a result.
Personally my guess is there will be a redesign of some kind next year, but I think the folks who are holding out for it or excited about it will be disappointed by how Apple Watch-y it remains. Think less iPhone 8->iPhone X, more iPhone 14->iPhone 15. And that will include the Watch remaining square and, subsequently, probably the bands staying cross-compatible(barring some other reason to change the design I’d be unaware of, like saving on internal space or something).
Agreed.
I could see them doing something like squaring up the sides (rather than having the rounded “bulging” out look, a straight edge from screen to back), but too much change also causes issues for watch faces and apps. You certainly won’t see them change away from the rectangle shape!
I’m certain you’re right about one thing for sure … our wrists are Apple’s best advertisement!! They do not want anyone to have to ask what you’re wearing!!
Well the Ultra was a very recent addition and it already makes other apple watches look insignificant
Lol!! Hear you. Great purchase. It’s just it’s much too big for some of our wrists! Or let’s say … bigger than we prefer. Plz enjoy yours
Maybe they’ll release and Ultra Mini with the same functionality but smaller screen (in line with the 42mm, as opposed to the 45mm)?
Those “some” are a very small portion of apple’s customers. Quite probably outweighed by those for whom the “look” is most important, where “”the look” isn’t the latest Apple product in general , but something that looks elegant, thin, or whatever other adjectives they use to currently not have an Apple Watch.
Not sure I’m following but thanks!
I’m out of the loop, are they just changing the way the bands connect so existing ones won’t work?
Cool pun … “Loop”!! Just wondering about “coming” rumors that always arrive as soon as latest model of anything drops.
OP is just speculating. Nothing has been confirmed
Agree!
Real
EU requires watchbands to be USB-Compatible
My condolences m8
Your existing watchbands are good as dead
Thanks. Please help me understand how the watchbands will be affected by USB-C.
I only have 3 different bands, 2 of which came with watches and 1 which was a $30 knockoff. I wouldn’t be too fussed
You’re smarter than I am. But … I’m almost cured of my obsession!
It will be the Lightning vs USB-C debate all over again /s
Well not quite… I can get USB-c cable at dollar store… Apple Watch band? Not so much…
You can for sure. My current watch band is from Temu/Aliexpress. Works and looks great and very comfortable. It was like 3 bucks with free shipping.
I doubt this is going to happen. Even if it does, I won’t care that much.
Thx! We’ll see
I just hope that we alternative watch wearers (who wear it on the underside of our wrist) can opt for a widescreen orientation.
Thanks! Now that would be a great option. Nurse here. Lots of us do that with analog watches.
If anything it’s impressive that they’ve kept the same design this long. Change is inevitable though, and the current connector is pretty bulky relative to the size of the device. If they can reduce that and fit in more tech or more battery instead, that’s definitely preferable!