An Apple Watch Series 6 on display at the company’s flagship store in Sydney.
Photographer: David Gray / Bloomberg
Photographer: David Gray / Bloomberg
Apple Inc. is planning to launch an Apple Watch with a sturdy case aimed at athletes, hikers and others who use the device in more extreme environments, according to people who know the subject.
The Cupertino-based tech giant, based in California, has debated internally introducing this variation of Watch at least in 2021 or at least 2022, people said, asking that they not identify themselves in private matters.
This is at least the second time Apple has reviewed a rugged smartwatch. After launching the first version of the Apple Watch in 2015, the company weighed in on a new model to better attract extreme sports athletes. The current version remains popular with runners, hikers, and swimmers, and Apple has added several activity and sports tracking features through its annual update cycle. Despite this, Casio Computer Co. and other watchmakers have seen strong sales of tougher product designs with added protection.
Smartwatch Market
The Apple Watch leads everyone else in this fast-growing technology sector
Source: Counterpoint research
If Apple goes ahead this time, the rugged version would be an additional model similar to how Apple offers a lower-cost option called the Apple Watch SE and special editions co-branded with Nike Inc. and Hermes International. Sometimes called “Explorer Edition” within Apple, the product would have the same functionality as a standard Apple Watch but with an additional impact.resistance and vein protection from Casio G-Shock watches.
Read more about Casio’s G-Shock line here.
The Casio G-Shock is considered one of the most popular watches ever created.
The latest Apple Watch models are already water resistant to 50 meters, on top of most smart watches. But Apple could make a new device more “tough” by giving it a rubber exterior that would be useful for environments where current aluminum, titanium and stainless steel cases can be damaged.
Development of the new Apple Watch variation could eventually be canceled or delayed, people who knew the matter said. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.
Apple is also working on new swimming tracking features for the Apple Watch. Typically, the company launches new models in September. Last year it launched the lower-cost Apple Watch SE and added a faster processor and a blood oxygen sensor with the Apple Watch Series 6.
The Apple Watch has become one of Apple’s most important products, though the company doesn’t disclose how much revenue it brings. The device is part of the segment of the laptop, home and accessories industry, which generated sales of more than $ 30 billion in recent years. fiscal year. This made it Apple’s most successful product category apart from the iPhone. Second, Apple had 40% of the smartwatch market in the last quarter of 2020 Counterpoint research.