Apple’s rumored Watch Professional sports activities wearable might require some new bands

Whereas Apple has elevated the dimensions of the Apple Watch through the years, customers have at all times been in a position to make use of older watch bands with newer models. Which may quickly change. Initially spotted by MacRumors, leaker UnclePan claims that the so-called Professional — Apple’s forthcoming rugged smartwatch — will not be appropriate with present straps.

Till now, Apple’s been in a position to simply preserve compatibility as a result of the Apple Watch’s design has barely modified. Every Apple Watch mannequin is available in two sizes: a smaller model and one which’s 4mm bigger. The unique watch up by means of the Sequence 3, for instance, was bought in 38mm and 42mm sizes. That modified with the Series 4, which elevated the circumstances to 40mm and 44mm. Apple as soon as once more bumped up the dimensions with the Series 7 to 41mm and 45mm. That’s 3mm over seven years — and never as soon as did that warrant customers needing to purchase new straps except they have been transferring from the smaller watch to the bigger one.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said that the Professional will probably be a “good bit greater than the usual Apple Watch” and may only appeal to a certain niche. Up to now, it appears the rumor mill has settled on the Professional having a two-inch show housed in a 47 mm case. If this pans out, that bigger show may very well be the offender. It’s admittedly laborious to see straps made for the 38mm / 40mm / 41mm Apple Watches engaged on a 47mm watch. That’s a big 6-9mm enhance.

Different design tweaks might additionally play a job. Gurman additionally famous that the Professional will sport a contemporary look that’s an “evolution of the present rectangular form.” Maybe this “evolution” meant Apple needed to redesign how the straps connect to the case for a safer match or added sturdiness.

That stated, it isn’t clear whether or not everybody upgrading to the Professional would wish new straps. It’s very doable that you could be solely want to change when you’re upgrading from the smaller mannequin to the Professional. You probably have a 42mm / 44mm / 45 Apple Watch, the case measurement is just growing 2-5mm — which isn’t too far off from previous will increase. It, as Gurman suggests, simply may not look as good or match fairly as properly.

In any case, you must take this with a grain of salt. (Bear in mind the flat edges redesign rumored for the Sequence 7 that never came to pass?) That stated, this can be a new wearable class, and it wouldn’t be shocking if Apple determined to make a transparent break with watches that got here earlier than the Professional. The true takeaway from all these rumors is Apple’s gearing as much as make some dramatic adjustments to its watch lineup — and we’ll discover out precisely what these adjustments are at subsequent week’s “Far out” event.