Yet more weight has been added to the theory that the next-generation Apple Watch will be a groundbreaking update, at least in terms of the design of the smartwatch. There’s an increasingly solid consensus among pundits that it could be the biggest change to the design in the product’s history.
The much-admired and ever-present Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed on Friday that the biggest news for the Apple Watch Series 7 will be a “dramatic change in design”, 9to5Mac writes.
Specifically, the Apple Watch Series 7 is expected to get a new design with flatter edges, reminiscent of the iPhone 12. The screens are also expected to grow slightly. The larger model could get a 45mm bezel with 16% more pixels than the current 44mm model.
Multiple images posted online have claimed to reveal the design of the new watch. Back in August leaked CAD renders showed a larger screen, squared-off edges and repositioned speakers:
And at the start of September Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman announced that the new watches would offer 16% more pixels and 14% larger screen area than their predecessors, and 9to5Mac responded with mockup illustrations, such as the one at the top of this article.
We’ve also heard about the new features coming to the Apple Watch, but this is less pleasing: a number of new health sensors may be delayed until next year. This is also according to information from Ming-Chi Kuo, this time reported by MacRumors.
The 2022 Apple Watch may, for example, feature body temperature measurement, which would help the watch to detect fever symptoms, for example. Kuo says he is optimistic about demand for next year’s Apple Watch, partly because of this news.
Kuo has previously said that the Series 7 is now in full production and will launch this month, despite earlier-reported manufacturing problems. It’s expected to be one of the three big announcements at Apple’s California Streaming event tomorrow night; here’s how to watch the event live.
You can keep up with the latest leaks and rumours right up to the announcement with our regularly updated Apple Watch Series 7 news hub. Best prices on the new device will appear in our guide to the best Apple Watch deals.
This article originally appeared on Macworld Sweden. Translation and additional reporting by David Price.