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Apple Watch is about to pull the plug on one of the most awaited yearly events, and all eyes are going to set on highly expected launches: the iPhone 16 and highly rumored Apple Watch X. This year’s event holds special importance because this time it will mark 10 years after Apple entered the smartwatch market, where a decade ago it launched the original Apple Watch. Because of this, many expect Apple to celebrate this with a major redesign and a slew of new features on the Apple Watch X.
While the official details are still under wraps, leaks and rumors have provided insight into what we might expect from the Apple Watch X. From design updates to enhanced health-tracking features, let’s explore everything we know so far about Apple’s next-generation smartwatch.
A Major Redesign for the 10th Anniversary
The Apple Watch X seems to be turning out to be more than a simple iteration from its predecessors. This new 10th-anniversary model will supposedly introduce a design refresh reflecting the evolution of Apple’s smartwatch line over the last ten years. The revamped Apple Watch X is slated to sport a sleeker appearance, minimized thickness of the device as a whole, and larger display options.
Several reports said this could be an Apple Watch X that introduces a new magnetic mechanism for attaching bands, which would be a big move away from the traditional slide-and-lock system used with earlier models. The change can serve two purposes: slim down the look of the watch by also opening more room inside for a bigger battery or other component upgrades.
While design details remain purely speculative, the rumors suggest that Apple is working on a unit that balances form and function neatly, offering a stylish, yet practical wearable that will appeal to a wide variety of users.
New Magnetic Band Mechanism
One of the more interesting rumors surrounding the Apple Watch X was indeed the introduction of a magnetic band attachment system. Currently, Apple Watch bands use some form of sliding mechanism to click into place, but the new system is expected to further simplify the process while offering improved aesthetics.
This magnetic mechanism would mean Apple no longer needs all of those bulky internal components required to pull off that slide-and-lock system, opening up space for either a larger battery or other interesting hardware elements to be thrown into the watch. Minor, but in practice, it could make all the difference in terms of general performance and battery life.
In place, this magnetic band system could mean much easier and more secure changes that will let users easily switch between different styles on the go with much ease. As Apple continues its wearable device iteration, these small but substantial design tweaks go a long way to improve user experiences.
Larger Display Options and Possible MicroLED Technology
Another place where significant upgrades are expected with the Apple Watch X is in the display: the rumors indicate that Apple will offer larger screen sizes with the release, possibly taking the options from 41mm to 45mm and even further up to 49mm for those who like a more substantial device on their wrist.
Meanwhile, besides the screen size increase, there’s also rumors suggesting Apple will bring microLED display technology onto the Apple Watch X. If true, that would be a big leap forward in display quality: better brightness, color accuracy, and energy efficiency when pitted against the OLED screens currently on every Apple Watch.
It is especially alluring since it reportedly would permit increased battery life, sharper visuals, and overall better outdoor visibility, which would make an Apple Watch X one of the more popular options for both aesthetic and functional value. But while such rumors remain titillating, it is still unknown whether microLED will make its debut on the Apple Watch X or be pushed into 2025 or later.
It is obvious that Apple, regardless of the display technology to be implemented, will continue its strive for high quality in regard to screens, and it is thus expected that the Apple Watch X will represent one of the best options for comfortable viewing by users.
Apple Watch Has Advanced Health Features and New Monitoring Capabilities
Health-tracking technology has been one of the strong points that Apple has focused on since the creation of the Apple Watch series, and naturally, expectations are that the Apple Watch X will extend that tradition with even more advanced health features. The watch may also offer blood pressure monitoring-a long-expected addition to the device that could help users track their cardiovascular health with greater precision.
In concert with blood pressure monitoring, the Apple Watch X might also introduce sleep apnea detection through the monitoring of sleep and breathing activity. This would fall in line with broader efforts at Apple to give users a more holistic view of their health and wellness to catch potential health problems early.
That all sounds nice, but probably the wildest rumor is that Apple’s working on non-invasive glucose monitoring tech. That would be a complete game-changer for people with diabetes, or at risk for it, since that would grant continuous glucose tracking sans the need to go through traditional finger-prick tests.
That said, non-invasive glucose monitoring remains at its infancy stage of development, and it is highly unlikely that the Apple Watch X will carry this. But given that Apple showed it could even attempt to work on such technology, it speaks volumes about its continued commitment to the development of health technology through wearables.
Patent Issues Smolder On, Affect Some Features
While the Apple Watch X is expected to be full of new features, some hurdles may restrain its functions in some regions. The company is currently in the midst of a patent dispute over one of the key technologies in monitoring oxygen saturation in the blood: pulse oximetry. Due to this lawsuit, it might mean that blood oxygen monitoring, which is integrated into recent models including the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, could be excluded once the Apple Watch X is sold in the U.S.
Blood oxygen monitoring has become one of the most attractive features for Apple Watch users, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when oxygen levels suddenly became a vital health metric. If true, such an omission in the U.S. version of the Apple Watch X might prove to be a disappointingly stark feature withdrawal for those users who depend upon this feature for their health tracking.
With that said, patent disputes do take time to get resolved, and a settlement could very well be announced before the Apple Watch X actually launches. Third-party users, on the other hand, might still continue to have this functionality available in other markets.
Battery Life Improvements and Larger Battery Capacity
One of the most consistent knocks against the Apple Watch over the years has been its relatively short battery life when stacked up against some competitors. While Apple has incrementally improved that, the arrival of the Apple Watch X could finally begin to change it.
This new magnetic band mechanism would free up some internal space and would allow Apple to fit a larger battery inside the Apple Watch X for longer battery life. Furthermore, with the said introduction of more energy-efficient microLED display technology, it could give users a full day’s worth of use on a single charge with the Apple Watch X-even with heavy use for health-tracking features and other functions.
For those using their smartwatches consistently throughout the day for workout tracking, health metric monitoring, and connectivity, better battery life would be a godsend. Whether this tweak will be enough to impress critics of the Apple Watch isn’t yet evident, but it’s apparent that Apple is making efforts toward quelling some of the biggest points of contention in smartwatch use.
Outlook: What’s Next for Apple’s Line of Smartwatches?
The Apple Watch X represents a pivotal moment in the company’s wearable journey as Apple approaches the 10-year anniversary of its smartwatch lineup. Thanks to refreshed designs, larger displays, advanced health features, and possible improvements in battery life, the Apple Watch X is in a position to be one of the company’s biggest upgrades in years.
With many unknowns, like whether microLED technology will arrive this year and how the continuing patent disputes will affect the device, excitement is building for the Apple Watch X. With Apple’s continued innovation and expansion of health-tracking potential, the Apple Watch X may be one of the most significant movements in the wearables market, giving users one of the most powerful and versatile devices yet.
For the time being, it would appear we will be waiting for that announcement from Apple to show just about everything the Apple Watch X will be capable of. However, from what rumors and leaks have hit the air thus far, one thing can definitely be said: Apple does indeed have big plans for its next-generation smartwatch, and its fans have a lot to wait for.