The Apple Watch “Pro” will want a troublesome design, multi-day battery to face out

At this level, a rugged Apple Watch “Pro” has been all however formally confirmed. Not solely did we begin listening to whispers of this machine over a year ago but additionally the rumor mill has been amping up as of late with new details about potential specs and options. The newest is that the Pro might supply multi-day battery life on a single cost in addition to function the Apple Watch’s first critical redesign… ever. And, if Apple really needs to compete with the likes of Garmin and Polar, it’ll want each.

The newest information comes courtesy of Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his most up-to-date Power On newsletter. In it, Gurman contends the Pro mannequin shall be a “good bit bigger than the standard Apple Watch” — to the purpose the place it’d solely attraction to a “subset of customers.” On high of that, he notes that the machine’s recent look shall be an “evolution of the current rectangular shape.” (Though with out the flat edges that had been as soon as closely rumored for the Series 7.) Lastly, the Pro mannequin could possibly final a number of days because of a much bigger battery and low-power mode in addition to function a extra sturdy sort of titanium to make it “extra rugged.”

Apple hasn’t considerably tweaked the Apple Watch’s design since 2018 with the Series 4 — and even then, the modifications weren’t a significant departure from the Series 3. At the time, Apple bumped up the scale of the Series 4’s show from 38mm and 42mm to 40mm and 44mm. It additionally modified the pink dot on the digital crown of mobile fashions to a extra delicate pink ring. Subsequent fashions have additionally launched flatter facet buttons. So, contemplating that’s what’s constituted a “redesign” prior to now, the modifications Gurman described counsel a extra distinct visible change is on the horizon.

A definite visible break from the previous is important if Apple needs a profitable multisport smartwatch. From a product standpoint, a rugged Apple Watch that appears and capabilities too much like the usual Series 8 would muddy the waters. Plus, it doesn’t precisely encourage people to spend extra when you’ll be able to already improve to extra premium supplies on the usual fashions. On the flip facet, people who gravitate towards multisport watches like a extra outdoorsy vibe. Button guards, giant 47–50mm shows, and sturdy but light-weight case supplies are hallmarks of this class. Adding at the least a few of these components would assist the Pro mannequin really feel like an Apple Watch that would take a beating. Apple also needs to contemplate choosing a number of buttons, as relying solely on the touchscreen and digital crown isn’t sensible for an outdoorsy watch. Otherwise, there isn’t a transparent purpose to go for the Pro over a Garmin or an everyday Series 8.

Gurman’s remark that the Pro mannequin’s dimension might solely attraction to a subset of parents means we’re more likely to see the most important ever Apple Watch — 47mm on the minimal. That’s what “standard” Garmin and Polar watches are likely to measure and would allow the Pro to deal with a a lot bigger battery. And design aesthetics apart, multi-day battery life could possibly be the deciding issue as as to if a Pro mannequin will really compete within the multisport watch house.

Warranted or not, folks have been griping concerning the Apple Watch’s battery since 2015. And no one cares extra about multi-day battery than outside athletes. watchOS 9 can add all of the working metrics and triathlete help it likes, nevertheless it’s pointless if an athlete has to even take into consideration pausing to cost in hour 5 – 6 of an exercise. Even the specter of your watch dying and never totally counting your exercise is sufficient purpose to eschew Apple in favor of Garmin, Polar, or Coros. For multi-day actions or tenting, carrying a charger for an additional machine is even much less interesting. It’s arduous to consider that the Pro will get past 48 hours, however getting at the least 24 hours would go a good distance when it comes to credibility.

So far, the Pro mannequin is shaping as much as be probably the most intriguing replace to the Apple Watch shortly. But if Apple doesn’t nail a rugged design and true multi-day battery life, all of the superior metrics and options on this planet wouldn’t make it a compelling product. Without these two features, Apple would extra probably find yourself repeating the error of the Apple Watch Edition — an costly high-end watch that no one requested for.

Photography by Victoria Song / The Verge