Upcoming Apple Watch Models Could Get New Magnetic Band Option

[MacRumors]

Apple is planning to release a new band for the Apple Watch Series 9 later this year, according to the Apple device collector known as "Kosutami."

Mockup of woven band with magnetic buckle.​

The new Apple Watch band will reportedly be made out of a woven fabric material and feature a magnetic buckle, similar to the existing Modern Buckle band. It is set to be introduced alongside new Apple Watch models this year. Kosutami told MacRumors that the band is likely designed for the Apple Watch Series 9, rather than the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra. The magnetic band will retail for $99, the same price tag as the Braided Solo Loop.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1689245986252861440

Apple announced the Modern Buckle leather band with the original Apple Watch back in 2014. "What looks like a solid buckle is actually a two-piece magnetic closure that's delightfully simple to secure," Apple writes. It is only available for the smaller Apple Watch casing size and costs $149.

The Apple Watch Series 9 and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra are expected to be "basically unchanged" compared to the current models, other than the S9 chip for improved performance and a couple of new color options including a pink aluminum and a black titanium finish. The refreshed devices are likely to be announced alongside the iPhone 15 lineup in September.

Article Link: Upcoming Apple Watch Models Could Get New Magnetic Band Option

 

[Franjelisco]

I really cant understand why Apple has neglected the Watch so much.

 

[appleguy123]

I really cant understand why Apple has neglected the Watch so much.

Because there’s no competition, especially for iPhone users.

 

[Big Apple Tim]

I'd never trust a magnet to do the job of a buckle/clasp. Also they switch off your laptop screen when they touch the palm rest !! C'mon Apple...

 

[Appleandy]

Sounds like the band I have on my vintage Casio 😂

 

[leandromp]

Lol, instead of focusing on making the watch less ugly. It's getting uglier and uglier

 

[WiiDSmoker]

And Ultra Watch bands when?

 

[Newbie67]

Great that will be awesome for the magnetic compass function on the ultra. Call it a feature

 

[Nautilus007]

I really cant understand why Apple has neglected the Watch so much.

Because they’re more focused on the AR headset that nobody asked for. They have been very unfocused on accessories and other product updates it seems.

The Magic Keyboard still doesn’t have a backlight for gods sake…

 

[contacos]

I'd never trust a magnet to do the job of a buckle/clasp. Also they switch off your laptop screen when they touch the palm rest !! C'mon Apple...

Only slightly related but I noticed the Apple Watch is causing trouble with a lot of car parks here, which still do tickets but also offer long term parking via an near field tap card.

Every time I pull my arm out of the car window, to get a ticket from the machine on entry, the barrier system says „card reading error, card reading error“, I have to cover my watch on my wrist to stop it and actually get my ticket

 

[gwhizkids]

I really cant understand why Apple has neglected the Watch so much.

Precisely how has the Watch been neglected? Be specific.

 

[DevNull0]

I really cant understand why Apple has neglected the Watch so much.

Because people keep buying them. Apple has mastered the art of giving the absolute minimum possible changes each year. If people actually cut back hugely on buying into minuscule upgrades, the upgrades would get a lot more exciting. But it's Apple, and I'm going to get flamed for suggesting the slightest thing wrong with their practices.

iPhone is even worse. Is there a meaningful difference between the 12 and the 14 except we've lost the sim slot? But there's exciting new colors coming on for the 15. Unless there's any surprises, the best thing we have to look forward to is USB-C on the 16 and that's because Europe is forcing them to do it.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I'm waiting for the Apple Watch Ultra bands. I hope we get to see some new & cools ones next month.

 

[jz0309]

an AW band rumor - don't recall ever seeing one of those

 

[LightProtector]

Not much has changed, but I will gladly take better performance and battery life.

 

[JOLoughlin]

I miss the Classic Leather Buckle. I still wear the original but my second iteration wore out. It seems Apple is moving away from leather all together in my view and just leaving it up to Hermès. I bet the Modern Leather Buckle will be phased out and replaced by this. Speculating.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I really cant understand why Apple has neglected the Watch so much.

What is neglected? It does everything I want it to do, and has a ton of features that I never even use. I use it as a fitness/workout tracker, see texts and calls, and listen to offline music when running or climbing. It's perfectly fine.
The Apple watch is meant to be a companion device, not a stand-alone wrist computer.

This band sucks, but then I don't like fashion bands.

 

[willchris]

It looks really ugly and outdated to me. Instead of making the watch thinner, they decided to make the buckle even bulkier...
Also - I know that people love the Ultra's design but I find it to be comically gigantic.

 

[azentropy]

They really need to start selling them without a band at a discount (as an option of course).

 

[Rychiar]

They really need to start selling them without a band at a discount (as an option of course).

What discount? The bands are utterly worthless to apple lol. What shocks me is people pay insane amounts to buy these 2 cent apple bands they could easily buy a perfect Chinese knockoff of… and the third party band market in general has way nicer, more unique bands for less

 

[inequals]

in my experience, the cheap knockoff bands are cheap knockoffs for a reason. I don't know what they're using to make the rubber replicas, but if it's fluoroelastomer it's not as good as the stuff Apple uses - it looks identical but quickly warps and loses its lustre. I've bought a few now and would swap all of them for one decent Apple band, and I've learned my lesson: don't be such a broke boy!

There are some good clones of the Link Bracelet, amazingly because Apple can't make one for less than $499 lol. I still can't get over that.

 

[P K]

Based on the concept art, it reminds me of the magnetic fastener that Apple has designed for the headband for the Vision Pro (where the orange pull tab is).

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/images/media/Apple-WWCD23-Vision-Pro-with-battery-230605_big.jpg.large_2x.jpg

 

[Rychiar]

in my experience, the cheap knockoff bands are cheap knockoffs for a reason. I don't know what they're using to make the rubber replicas, but if it's fluoroelastomer it's not as good as the stuff Apple uses - it looks identical but quickly warps and loses its lustre. I've bought a few now and would swap all of them for one decent Apple band, and I've learned my lesson: don't be such a broke boy!

There are some good clones of the Link Bracelet, amazingly because Apple can't make one for less than $499 lol. I still can't get over that.

I’ve mostly bought stainless steel bands and they all look really nice and hold up. I also got a nylon ultra wide one that i love and for a nice one i got a rockstar leatherworks leather cuff.

 

[ELman]

I like the sport loops the best. They are comfortable and don't cost $99.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Are these straps going to be exclusive to a new designed Apple Watch?