Last yr , Apple broke with tradition and offered not one , but two Apple Watches — the Series 6 and the cheaper SE . Now , a Bloombergreportis evoke Apple is mulling adding another rugged variant to appeal to outdoor athletes and hikers .
The news show come from Mark Gurman , a noted Apple predictor with a undecomposed rails record . bring up unnamed Apple sources , Gurman contends a furrowed Apple Watch would n’t supercede exist Apple Watch models . Rather , it ’d be its own model , in the mineral vein of other particular edition Apple Watches , like the one it has with Nike . Functionally , the tough lookout would n’t be that different from the veritable Apple Watch . The principal conflict is that it ’d have “ extra impact - resistance and protection . ”
Aesthetically , Bloomberg fence the rugged watch might look something like aCasio G - Shock . That makes sense yield its rubber exterior , a expression that you’re able to find on many a Garmin or Suunto . Right now , you may get the Apple Watch in either aluminum , titanium , or unstained brand . While the atomic number 22 and untarnished blade versions are unfearing than the tawdry aluminum modeling , they ’re still not immune to ding and scratches — especially if you ’re someone who wish more extreme athletics like downhill spate biking or rock climb . The same goes for the more expensivesapphire crystal silver screen . ( They ’re mostly fine if you ’re sticking to the gymnasium or gentler exercises like yoga . )
The Series 6 and the Apple Watch SEPhoto: Victoria Song/Gizmodo
https://gizmodo.com/the-complete-guide-to-customizing-your-apple-watch-1846170321
away from a beefier encasing , sturdier materials , and watch strap accessories , it ’s not clear what else Apple would do to coif a possible furrowed watch apart . The current Apple Watches are already urine - resistive to 5 ATM or 50 meters , which is the minimum level required for swimming . Apple ’s native workout app also includes a wide variety of outside activities , include climbing , open pee and indoor swimming , water sports and piddle Marco Polo , surfing , snowboarding , downhill and cross country skiing , and even hunting . Bloomberg tell the company is ferment on new swim - tracking features , but unless they ’re up the ante to 10 ATM , ripe swimming metric would n’t necessarily be throttle to the rugged version . The same entertain unfeigned if Apple decides to propose the same in - depth running metrics offered by more physical fitness - focused wearables like Garmin and Polar .
In any vitrine , Bloomberg ’s composition says the earliest we could see a rugged Apple Watch is later this twelvemonth or 2022 at the earliest . If it ’s this year , we ’ll in all likelihood rule out sometime this free fall , which is when Apple commonly launches its novel generation of Apple Watches . ( This is supply that the global chip shortage and existing provision mountain range issues do n’t continue to muck up up the usual product launch cadence for 2021 . ) Then again , this is n’t the first time Apple has supposedly considered a furrowed edition . Back in 2015 , after launching its first Apple Watch , the troupe reportedly mulled let go a good example to appeal to extreme sports athletes but finally decided against it . The same thing could hap here too .
One thing in favour of a rugged watch , however , is the fact that the Apple Watch is a much more important product for Apple these days . It ’s hard to say exactly how much the Apple Watch generate in revenue for the company , as it ’s chunk in with AirPods , the HomePod , and accoutrement in Apple ’s reporting . However , that segment sawa disc 30 % growthin Q1 this yr for an impressive $ 13 billion in revenue . Plus , Apple has noted that in terms of the watch,75 % of customers are first - sentence purchaser , rather than upgrades . give that , add together another SKU get more sensory faculty now than it did when the Apple Watch was widely considered an unnecessary lavishness .
But while the move hold signified , it ’s unclear whether it ’s a gamble that will give off . By offering a rugged scout , Apple ’s use up open aim at competition like Garmin , Suunto , and Polar . Good fortune there , as Garmin user are among the most brand - firm in the smartwatch category , and there ’s a reason it ’s one of the most preferred endurance sports brands . Apple does n’t natively pop the question as much in the way of the convalescence metrics — which can be a serious dealbreaker for dedicated athlete . Not to mention , the Apple Watch is still boast an 18 - time of day “ all - solar day ” battery life — which in the Earth of rugged smartwatches , is pitifully inadequate . Lastly , while Apple ’s recently made a grownup push into fitness ( See : Fitness+ ) , its big potency is still in its advanced health features and multi - purpose usage .
Right now , the biggest rumor swirling around the Series 7 is the hypothesis ofblood saccharide monitoring . ( A feat , that if Apple could pull off , would render a rugged variant small-scale white potato . ) Analyst Ming - Chi Kuo has also sound out the Series 7 will likely concentrate on “ groundbreaking wellness management functions ” and “ improve form factor design . ” It ’s possible the latter is referring to a rugged watch , though it could also meana more aesthetic redesign . We ’ll just have to waitress and see .
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