Kuo: 2024 Apple Watch 'Unlikely' to Have 'Significant' Innovation

[MacRumors]

The 2024 Apple Watch is "unlikely" to offer "significant innovative experiences," according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

For instance, in a post on Medium today, Kuo said the Apple Watch will not be equipped with a micro-LED display or blood glucose monitoring in 2024. He believes these features are at least two years away from being added to the Apple Watch.

It's unclear if Kuo's prediction rules out the launch of the rumored "Apple Watch X" next year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said a significantly overhauled "Apple Watch X" would launch in either 2024 or 2025, to mark the tenth anniversary of the device. The original Apple Watch was announced in September 2014 and released in April 2015.

The information shared today by Kuo is quite vague, so there are a lot of possibilities and unanswered questions for now. For example, perhaps Kuo is referring to the model that will succeed the Apple Watch Series 9, and the "Apple Watch X" will be an additional high-end model that does offer more innovative changes. This would be similar to the iPhone X launching shortly after the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in 2017.

Gurman said the "Apple Watch X" would be equipped with a thinner case, and potentially a magnetic band attachment system. And if the device doesn't launch until 2025, perhaps the rumored micro-LED display will also be ready.

Kuo added that Apple Watch shipments are expected to decline to 36-38 million units in 2023, a decline of approximately 15% on a year-over-year basis. However, he said that Apple Watch integration with Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset could "create an unparalleled and innovative health management experience" that boosts shipments.

Article Link: Kuo: 2024 Apple Watch 'Unlikely' to Have 'Significant' Innovation

 

[abatabia]

Not exactly making me want to part with my 7 any time soon.

 

[dgdosen]

Kuo should be using his supply chain insights to tell us about machines with M3 processors...

 

[OrenLindsey]

naw bruh I was waiting for the series X

 

[TotalMacMove]

According to my friend who is an engineer for Apple, 2024 will be a big update.

 

[ISignedUpToAskThis]

Seems odd that 2024 wouldn't be a big update considering this year was pretty pathetic in terms of new features. Would rather Apple just didn't release a new Watch every year and wait until they had a ton of exciting new features to announce.

 

[MrGimper]

Not exactly making me want to part with my 7 any time soon.

Same, Graphite Series 7 here. Recently replaced via AC+ so has 100% battery health. No need to upgrade yet.

 

[MrGimper]

Seems odd that 2024 wouldn't be a big update considering this year was pretty pathetic in terms of new features. Would rather Apple just didn't release a new Watch every year and wait until they had a ton of exciting new features to announce.

Especially as it’s the 10 year anniversary.

 

[Think|Different]

We need and want more health features, can’t just double down on fitness everything without those staying on similar paces.

 

[SamRyouji]

Another extra few hours of battery life would be a big update, at least for me. The Series 9 and Ultra 2 already have brighter than bright 2000 nits of peak brightness, so there's no need for them to give brighter screen if they come up with a larger battery inside (unless there's a new power hungry health sensor introduced, that is).

 

[cocky jeremy]

Booooring. I have a 7 and honestly couldn't even tell you the differences between it and the 9 series, but I guarantee it isn't much.

 

[oghowie]

I want a new design but everything seems to be pointing to 2025 not 24.

 

[klasma]

I have the feeling that Apple wanted to release the micro-LED version for the tenth anniversary, but the tech/manufacturing isn’t working out yet.

 

[scheinderrob]

under timmy, apple has lost all track of the meaning of innovation. he's the steve ballmer of apple.

 

[vegetassj4]

Whatever it is, the ultra will be the most ultra watch they've ever created.

 

[JPack]

Seems legit. Similar to iPhone, we always know display details 12-18 months in advance due to supplier lead time requirements. I doubt micro LED is close to being ready.

 

[dbc34]

Not exactly making me want to part with my 7 any time soon.

I was headed to the comments to say roughly the same thing.

 

[thadoggfather]

I've been asleep at the wheel 'perception of slight innovation' wise since S7...

 

[sw1tcher]

According to my friend who is an engineer for Apple, 2024 will be a big update.

Hey, my friend told me the same thing, though he also added "but obviously things can still theoretically change"

 

[nvmls]

Oh... because it had "significant innovation" until now? I see.

 

[BB8]

I'm still holding onto a Series 4 and refused to update this year after yet another pathetic showing from Apple + the Gurman rumor that they're going to change the bands next year.

 

[charlesdayton]

Lately Ming-Chi Kuo’s predictions have been more miss than hit.

 

[sw1tcher]

The 2024 Apple Watch is "unlikely" to offer "significant innovative experiences," according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Time to skip the annual updates and move to a 2 year cycle instead.

 

[sack_peak]

Still on my 2018 AW4... will likely replace it for a 2027 model that has a replaceable battery per EU law.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Kuo doesn’t know.