Rugged Apple Watch Series 8 Pro may require new bands

[Shawn Knight]

In brief: A rugged version of the Apple Watch for outdoor enthusiasts is expected to debut at next week's iPhone 14 launch event. The Apple Watch Series 8 Pro will reportedly feature a larger 47mm-48mm watch face with a flat display and may even necessitate a new watch band.

For comparison, the Apple Watch Series 7 is offered with your choice of 41mm or 45mm case size. The more affordable Apple Watch SE is sold with 40mm or 44mm cases while the lingering Apple Watch Series 3 - the cheapest of the bunch starting at $199 - is available in 38mm or 42mm sizes.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a well-known Apple analyst, tweeted in response to the rumor saying he believes the Apple Watch Pro will support older bands. Given the size of the new watch, however, older bands might not fit well or look seamless when installed.

Earlier reports suggested the watch's case will be crafted from a durable metal and feature a more shatter-resistant screen. A bigger battery and an updated low-power mode could result in improved battery life, perhaps stretching to several days on a single charge.

According to Mac Otakara, the upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 "Pro" will feature a larger 47mm size and a flat display. This model is expected to start at a higher price close to $1000 pic.twitter.com/9MmBhkewFA

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) August 28, 2022

The Pro, along with the standard-issue Apple Watch Series 8 and revised Apple Watch SE, are all expected to be powered by a new S8 chip. This SoC is expected to offer performance in line with the earlier S7 and S6 chips. With the new watches, one would think Apple will finally discontinue the Series 3 that launched in 2017.

The Apple Watch Series 8 Pro may also be significantly more expensive, with at least one rumor putting it near the $1,000 mark. For comparison, a Series 7 watch starts at $399.

Related reading: Most smartwatch makers are playing fast and loose with thickness specs

Last week, Apple sent out customary media invitations for its next product launch. The iPhone 14 will be the star of the September 7 show but new smartwatches are also expected on the docket. What isn't likely to surface is Apple's mixed reality headset. Reality One, as it might be called, probably won't make an appearance until early 2023.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/95797-rugged-apple-watch-series-8-pro-may-require.html

 

[passwordistaco]

Watch band sold separately, starting at $499.99.

 

[p51d007]

We laugh when someone says 1,000 for a "watch" but Samsung is selling a LOT of
those folding phones with the crease in the middle for around 2,000 dollars.
It will be interesting to see if these sell, considering how much money "inflation" is costing
people in food, rent/mortgages, fuel, utilities.

 

[Guybrush3epwood]

Outdoor enthusiasts will always go Garmin over Apple Watch.

For the price of a Series 7 you can get a top of line Garmin Fenix, 10+ day battery, always on display, actual buttons and tough a heck!

 

[VitalyT]

For Apple Pro Suckers.

 

[WhoCaresAnymore]

Outdoor enthusiasts will always go Garmin over Apple Watch.

For the price of a Series 7 you can get a top of line Garmin Fenix, 10+ day battery, always on display, actual buttons and tough a heck!

Incorrect. My epix 2 is in my dresser drawer and I’m back to wearing my aw7 ss lte. Garmins watches are so full of programming bugs, it’s miserable. I gave up. Hated having to carry a phone in case of emergencies. Have it all on my wrist with an aw. It’s a damn good sports watch, more accurate and more features. If going camping or some long outdoor trip, you will have a power bank anyways and an aw charges fast.

I really wanted to like the garmin, but garmin is garmin, Crap.

 

[Fearghast]

Incorrect. My epix 2 is in my dresser drawer and I’m back to wearing my aw7 ss lte. Garmins watches are so full of programming bugs, it’s miserable. I gave up. Hated having to carry a phone in case of emergencies. Have it all on my wrist with an aw. It’s a damn good sports watch, more accurate and more features. If going camping or some long outdoor trip, you will have a power bank anyways and an aw charges fast.

I really wanted to like the garmin, but garmin is garmin, Crap.

You lost me at bugs ... you use AW as well, and you wrote Garmin is more buggy.
Man, I own Instinct 2 and my friend uses latest AW and I can't think of a day he does not present a new bug in AW software.

AW has an incredibly good heart rate sensor, but any other measurement is average at best (or laughably bad when it comes to sleep tracking). It's a typical phone replacement vs. real smartwatch issue.

 

[WhoCaresAnymore]

DCRainmaker on Garmin
Have you ever used WORKOUTDOORS app on the AW. It's superior to anything my Epix 2 has. I run 8 miles, swim 2000 meters and do about 30 minutes on the bike. 5 days a week. The data on my AW is spot on with my other sensors including my Scosche Rythm24, Stryde POD, Form Swim Goggles. Even after using my AW for about 2 straight hours with music off the watch, cellular, GPS, I have roughly 50% battery life. Gets me through the night which I use "AutoSleep" for sleep tracking, it's superior to anything Garmin or anyone else is using. Doesn't have to run, be started, or even scheduled, even tracks naps automatically.

After 8 hours of sleep I still have around 25% battery left. So with my heavy workout/cellular/bluetooth and smart features, I get 1.5 days.

When Garmin can get their sh*t together with software and fix their damn bugs, my thoughts would change. The latest firmware of 9.33 does nothing to address long standing bluetooth bugs and is now causing watches severe battery drain, some people getting less than 24 hours on their Garmin, even without doing anything.

I'm not a fan of AW form factor at all, hate it, I think it's an ugly watch. But I'll be damned if it isn't one of the finest wearables I've used. Which includes:

Coros Vertix
Suunto
Garmin Fenix 3hr, Fenix 6, Epix 2
Samsung Galaxy Watch (mechanical rotating bezel)