Apple is already preparing for a third-generation model set for release in 2027.

      Apple is already looking beyond the next Apple Watch with plans for a significant redesign.

      Apple may be gearing up to provide the Apple Watch with its most substantial redesign in years, but it seems the company is also contemplating long-term changes extending into 2027 and possibly 2028, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

      The report indicates that Apple is aiming for more than just the incremental updates that have characterized the Watch in recent times. Gurman mentions that the company is exploring various screen sizes, types of displays, and even models without screens, as it reconsiders the concept of what an Apple Watch should entail.

      This is notable because the Apple Watch has adhered to a consistent design approach since its initial release over a decade ago, which set the foundation for all subsequent models. Since then, Apple's focus has primarily been on enhancing durability, health tracking, performance, and battery life, rather than making fundamental changes to the device.

      Apple may be prepared to alter the Watch blueprint

      Gurman notes that the upcoming Series 12 and Ultra 4 are anticipated to feature more traditional improvements, such as a new processor, enhanced software capabilities, and potentially a new case design. Reports suggest that Apple is also developing new color options, bands, and additional health and fitness features.

      The more intriguing alterations are reportedly intended for future generations. Apple’s industrial design team is investigating various approaches to the smartwatch form factor, including screens of different shapes and possibly even devices without displays. The company is also exploring ways to enhance the Watch's utility for fitness enthusiasts, reflecting the increasing popularity of fitness-focused wearable technology.

      The proposed timeline could extend across multiple generations. Gurman informs that Apple has plans for a second-generation model in 2027, followed by a third version as early as 2028. This suggests that the company is not merely experimenting with one radical redesign but might be laying the foundation for a long-term transformation of the product.

      The Watch could evolve beyond a miniature iPhone

      This development is significant because Apple has increasingly positioned the Watch as a health and fitness device, rather than just a companion to the iPhone. It currently provides functionalities such as heart monitoring, sleep tracking, notifications, and communication, while the company's growing emphasis on AI could offer the device an independent purpose.

      Gurman highlights that Apple sees a chance to make its smartwatches more AI-focused as it releases a new version of Siri. Thus, the company could leverage the redesign not only to reimagine the appearance of the Watch but also how users interact with it.

      However, the ambitious Watch redesign remains a project on the roadmap. Apple has yet to commit to a specific design, and Gurman indicates that these changes might still be years away. After a series of minor updates, Apple appears to be contemplating something significantly more ambitious: not just another Apple Watch, but a redefined vision of what the Apple Watch could be.

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      Moinak Pal has been covering consumer technology and automotive advancements within the tech industry.

      Apple might finally reintroduce the ceramic Apple Watch, which many fans have been eagerly anticipating.

      The most visually appealing Apple Watch material is reportedly making a comeback. Apple quietly discontinued the ceramic Apple Watch in 2020, and for enthusiasts of the luxurious material, its absence has been puzzling. For context, ceramic was the premium material option in the lineup, known for its smooth feel, scratch resistance, and distinct non-metallic look, unlike the titanium and aluminum frames. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is currently planning its return.

      Apple could raise the stakes with new premium Apple Watch models that surpass the Ultra and Hermès lines.

      While Apple already has several high-end smartwatches, it may be gearing up to push prices even higher. Bloomberg’s latest Power On newsletter reveals that the company is contemplating new premium Apple Watch models that would be positioned above the current Ultra and Hermès versions. This could lead to significant price increases. The most expensive existing model is the Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 3, priced at $1,399, with the standard Apple Watch Ultra 3 starting at $799, even without the Hermès branding.

      Apple may be considering a round display as it plans updates for its smartwatches.

      Since the inception of its smartwatches, Apple has adhered to a rectangular screen format. Meanwhile, Google’s Wear OS (formerly Android Wear) has seen brands experimenting with both circular and rectangular displays. It appears that Apple is prepared for a design overhaul and could potentially offer a round display for its smartwatch in the future. According to Bloomberg, the company is looking to reset its efforts in wearable devices, and one idea being explored internally is a round display for smartwatches. The company is also evaluating devices without displays, alongside various screen types and sizes. Although it seems unlikely to reach the market, the concept of round screens has been considered.