Image source: Apple

A rugged Apple Watch Pro will feature a larger display & titanium body

Some more details have emerged on the rumoured Apple Watch Pro. It is expected to make a showing this September alongside the regular and SE 2 models. The watch will reportedly arrive with a 7% larger display, a design revamp, longer battery life and a titanium body.


A rugged Apple Watch Pro

The Pro model was rumoured for last year but never arrived. But it seems to be on the cards for this September. It will be a more “rugged” model made for extreme sports enthusiasts.

The latest info comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. He states that unnamed Apple sources have told him the company is looking at branching into other models to target different buyer types.

In his latest Power On newsletter, he states that Apple will introduce an “evolution of the current rectangular shape”. Which means don’t expect a circular watch but expect something with a modified design. He also makes it clear that he is not referring to the rumoured flat sides.

What’s more, the display will be 7% larger than on the current models, and the build will be titanium which is lightweight but can take quite a beating. This type of watch would be useable in extreme environments.

Even better news, the device will have longer battery life thanks to a new low-power mode. We’re hoping at least 3 days between charges.

“I’m told that the high-end model is going to be a good bit bigger than the standard Apple Watch—big enough that it might only appeal to a subset of customers. The screen will be about 7% larger, and the device will have a fresh look—the first time the company has introduced a new Apple Watch design since 201,” Gurman says.

“It will be an evolution of the current rectangular shape, and not circular. It also won’t have those rumored flat sides (for those who will undoubtedly ask). In terms of materials, the watch will have a more durable formulation of titanium to make it extra rugged.”

We have seen a number of companies offering rugged timepieces for the outdoorsy types. Garmin and Casio spring to mind with their wide range of sports watches. Another popular brand is Amazfit. There’s obviously a market for this sort of thing that includes athletes, hikers, mountaineers and others.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

As mentioned, a Pro model was expected in 2021. Unfortunately, the upgrades that came with Series 7 in September were miniscule. The most important was the slightly bigger display. And there was zero mention of a more rugged model.

We are not expecting too much new in terms of sensors in 2022. Glucose and blood pressure are not arriving this year. But what is arriving is a temperature sensor. This will not allow the smartwatch to display an exact measured value, but the wearable could notify the user if the temperature is higher than his typical readings.


Apple Watch SE 2 – what is known

It is also widely expected we will get an Apple Watch SE 2 model this year. Its predecessor was released back in September 2020 as a version for those on a budget, as a mid-level option. The device borrows a lot from the Apple Watch Series 6 but omits some of its functions such as SpO2 and ECG. It also doesn’t support the always-on display option.

The fact that we didn’t see an SE 2 model in 2021 should come as no surprise. With the coronavirus crisis, supply chain disruptions, energy shortages in certain countries and other factors – it was not a normal year. But Mark Gurman from Bloomberg expects that we will see Watch SE 2 in September 2022 with a slightly tweaked design and a boost in health features as compared to its predecessor.

Adding their voice iDropNews which apparently has insider information. They also predict that the model with go ahead this year, but that not very much will change as far as design. So the same 40 and 44 mm options and display real-estate.

They say what will change is that the device will get a new chip which will allow for an always-on display, improved audio features and the addition of ECG sensors. It is also reasonable to expect SpO2 functionality.

No changes in battery life are expected although the always-on display could be accompanied by a bigger capacity battery. So you should still be able to get around 18 hours on a single charge. There’s also talk Apple might integrate fast charging technology which is currently only reserved for the Series 7 device.

The final prediction from LeaksApplePro is to do with price. In the US they expect a 20% increase as compared to the predecessor model. Which means the SE 2 should come in around $300.

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Marko Maslakovic

Marko founded Gadgets & Wearables in 2014, having worked for more than 15 years in the City of London’s financial district. Since then, he has led the company’s charge to become a leading information source on health and fitness gadgets and wearables.

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