The original Apple Watch was released in April 2015, and we are coming up on the 10th anniversary of Apple's first wearable device. With such a landmark anniversary on the horizon, rumors are coalescing around a notable 10-year anniversary update that we could see in 2024 or 2025.
Apple in 2017 unveiled the "iPhone X" to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, so Apple could have similar plans for the Apple Watch.
Design
Apple is planning for a thinner version of the Apple Watch, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, but he is not sure if it will come in 2024 or 2025. The ultrathin 2024 iPad Pro serves as a model for Apple's upcoming design philosophy, with the company planning to offer "the thinnest and lightest products" in each category across the tech industry.
The 2024 Apple Watch Series 10 will have a thinner body and will come in larger screen sizes, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts. Kuo expects the Series 10 to be available in 45mm and 49mm sizes, up from the current 41mm and 45mm size options. Both sizes are expected to have a thinner design.
CAD renders of what might be the next-generation Apple Watch surfaced in June, allegedly depicting a larger model with a two inch display, which is a bit bigger than the 1.93-inch Apple Watch Ultra.
The dimensions are said to measure roughly 46 x 39.7 x 11.6mm, so that would be a bit larger than the Series 9 but smaller than the Apple Watch Ultra. The design seems to have the same Digital Crown and Side Button, and it is overall similar to the Apple Watch Series 9.There is no evidence of a notably slimmed down case or a magnetic band attachment system, both of which have been rumored for the device.
Bands
Apple is working on new ways for bands to attach to the Apple Watch, according information that Gurman shared earlier this year. A magnetic attachment system that Apple is considering would free up space that is taken up by the cutouts for the current band attachment points. Removing the band cutouts would provide more space for other internal components, which could lead to the slimmer case.
An Apple Watch with a new band attachment system would likely not be compatible with older bands. Since the 2015 launch of the Apple Watch, Apple has made sure that new Apple Watch models continue to be compatible with existing bands.
It is not yet clear if the magnetic band system will be ready for debut with the Apple Watch X, nor if Apple will move ahead with plans to change band design. Gurman's latest rumors about the 2024 Apple Watch did not mention the magnetic band attachment system.
Display
The Apple Watch X might feature an updated OLED display that is more power efficient, leading to improvements in battery life.
Logic Board
The next-generation Apple Watch is expected to feature resin-coated copper, allowing for a thinner logic board and supporting improved durability and water resistance. Thinning down the logic board would allow for additional internal space for other components.
Health Features
Apple is working on new health features for the 2024 Apple Watch, though these features may not be ready in time due to development issues. Blood pressure monitoring could be included, with the watch able to detect hypertension. The Apple Watch will not be able to give specific systolic and diastolic readings, but will instead inform users if their blood pressure is trending upward.
Apple is said to be having issues with the accuracy of the blood pressure monitoring features, which could cause it to be delayed.
Sleep apnea detection is also planned for 2024, with the Apple Watch using sleep data collected at night along with breathing patterns to determine if the user is experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea. Because sleep apnea detection relies on the blood oxygen sensor, Apple might not be able to include it. As of 2024, blood oxygen sensing has been removed from the Apple Watch because of patent issues.
Apple is also trying to create an Apple Watch that can measure blood glucose, but that technology is further off and would probably not be ready in time for the launch of a 10th anniversary watch. Apple wants to measure blood glucose without needing to prick the skin (using infrared and other sensors), but no one has figured out how to do that reliably as of yet. Glucose monitoring is life or death and needs to be super precise, which is tough to do without breaking the skin.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said it's functionality that will be coming to the Apple Watch closer to the end of the decade.
Release
Gurman says it is not yet clear if Apple will release the new watch in 2024 or 2025. The original Apple Watch was unveiled in September 2014, but it did not release until April 2015, so Apple could use either date for the Apple Watch anniversary.
With the Apple Watch Series 9 available now, an Apple Watch Series 10 or "X" would be more appropriate for 2024, not 2025, but the X naming is just speculation at this point.
