Apple is reportedly prepping the Apple Watch Series X, the next-gen Apple Watch SE, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 models for next year. This is the second time reports about a possible Apple Watch Series X have surfaced in recent weeks. Last month, French blog iPhoneSoft quoted a source from within the Apple supply chain as saying that the company could release an 'Apple Watch X' in 2024. The report also claimed that the device could ship with watchOS 10, but didn't offer any details about what to expect from it in terms of hardware.
According to research notes published by David Hsieh, an analyst at technology research firm Omdia, Apple is working on an Apple Watch Series X to replace the Apple Watch Series 9 that is tipped for release later this year. According to Hsieh, the Apple Watch Series X will come in two different display sizes, measuring 1.89-inches and 2.04-inches. The rumored measurements represent an increase over the 1.71-inch (41mm) and 1.92-inch (45mm) display sizes for the Watch Series 8. The screens, however, will use the same LTPO OLED display technology as the Series 8 devices, and have the same supplier, LG Display.
Substantial Upgrades For 2024 Apple Watch Models
Alongside the Watch Series X, Apple is also rumored to launch the Watch SE 3 next year. This will also reportedly ship with larger display options than what's found on the current-gen models. According to Hsieh, they will have the same screen sizes as the Watch Series 8, meaning buyers could expect them to ship with 1.71-inch and 1.92-inch screens. These will also be LTPO OLED panels, but will be supplied by JDI. Next year will also reportedly see the launch of the 2nd-gen Apple Watch Ultra with a new Micro LED display. It will have 2.13-inch panel with 325ppi, meaning a probable resolution of 540 x 440 or 556 x 452 pixels.
With screen real estate at a premium on wearables, any increase in display size is a step in the right direction. While Apple took its own sweet time to increase the display size on iPhones to match the competition, the company is now seemingly being proactive in offering larger display sizes with its wearables. If it happens, that could make the 2024 models a major upgrade over the 2022 and upcoming 2023 models. Apple Watches already come with a plethora of features that make them among the best smartwatches that money can buy, and a substantial display size upgrade, with possible feature additions, should make them worth waiting for.
It is worth noting here that an earlier report from Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes also claimed that Apple is looking to increase the screens sizes in its future Apple Watches, meaning it would be somewhat of a surprise if the 2024 Apple Watch lineup sticks to similar screen sizes as their predecessors. While the promise of larger screens in smartwatches is enticing, Apple enthusiasts would do well to take these rumors with a pinch of salt for now. However, if the collective rumors turn out to be accurate, next year's Apple Watch models, including the Apple Watch Series X, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 2, could represent the biggest design upgrade for the franchise since the launch of the first-gen Apple Watch Ultra last year.
Source: Omdia