Which model will take the spot of the Apple Watch Series 3 in the lineup?

[Hankkk]

Disclaimer: I know that all of this thread is pure speculation it's just something that I thought about the other day and I was interested to hear some other opinions.

At this point, it pretty much seems to be a given that Apple will update its Apple Watch lineup this fall with the addition of the Apple Watch Series 6 as the new flagship model. However, I am wondering what will happen to the rest of the lineup. If we are looking back, Apple has been offering a two-tier Apple Watch lineup since generation 2.

• 2016: Apple introduced Apple Watch 2. The original Apple Watch was upgraded to Apple Watch Series 1 and was added as an entry-level option to the lineup.
• 2017: Apple introduced Apple Watch Series 3. Apple Watch Series 2 was discontinued. Apple Watch Series 1 was kept around as an entry-level option.
• 2018: Apple introduced Apple Watch Series 4. Apple Watch Series 1 was discontinued. Apple Watch Series 3 was kept around as an entry-level option.
• 2019: Apple introduced Apple Watch Series 5. Apple Watch Series 4 was discontinued. Apple Watch Series 3 remained the entry-level option and was reduced in price even further.

Going off this timeline, there are a few options for the Apple Watch lineup this year:

1. Discontinuation of Apple Watch Series 5 and 3, Re-Introduction of Apple Watch Series 4 as entry-level option:
   In my opinion, this is the scenario that seems most likely. Considering that there are no huge upgrades expected for Apple Watch Series 6, it would make sense to keep the entry-level and state of the art options two generations apart from each other. Apple Watch Series 4 could be re-introduced with a price tag similar to the Apple Watch Series 3, all currently sold products in the lineup would be upgraded to the new screen sizes while keeping multiple features exclusive to the higher end options (e.g. always-on display).
2. Discontinuation of Apple Watch Series 3, Apple Watch Series 5 gets price drop and becomes entry-level option:
   Could happen, but not very likely given the rumors about the Apple Watch Series 6 upgrades. Apple would either have to price Apple Watch Series 5 at the current Series 3 price point which could cannibalize Series 6 sales due to lack of differentiation or they would have to significantly raise the entry-level price of the Apple Watch overall which would probably result in decreasing sales.
3. Discontinuation of Apple Watch Series 5, Apple Watch Series 3 remains entry-level option:
   Very unlikely in my opinion. Apple could keep around the Series 3 as the entry-level Apple Watch for a third year. Yes, that would possibly allow them to reduce the entry price even further (which I don't think is needed) but it would also keep the defragmentation of screen sizes around for another year and performance of Series 3 for another 3-4 years in customer life cycle seems questionable too.

What do you think?

 

[doboy]

Disclaimer: I know that all of this thread is pure speculation it's just something that I thought about the other day and I was interested to hear some other opinions.

At this point, it pretty much seems to be a given that Apple will update its Apple Watch lineup this fall with the addition of the Apple Watch Series 6 as the new flagship model. However, I am wondering what will happen to the rest of the lineup. If we are looking back, Apple has been offering a two-tier Apple Watch lineup since generation 2.

• 2016: Apple introduced Apple Watch 2. The original Apple Watch was upgraded to Apple Watch Series 1 and was added as an entry-level option to the lineup.
• 2017: Apple introduced Apple Watch Series 3. Apple Watch Series 2 was discontinued. Apple Watch Series 1 was kept around as an entry-level option.
• 2018: Apple introduced Apple Watch Series 4. Apple Watch Series 1 was discontinued. Apple Watch Series 3 was kept around as an entry-level option.
• 2019: Apple introduced Apple Watch Series 5. Apple Watch Series 4 was discontinued. Apple Watch Series 3 remained the entry-level option and was reduced in price even further.

Going off this timeline, there are a few options for the Apple Watch lineup this year:

1. Discontinuation of Apple Watch Series 5 and 3, Re-Introduction of Apple Watch Series 4 as entry-level option:
   In my opinion, this is the scenario that seems most likely. Considering that there are no huge upgrades expected for Apple Watch Series 6, it would make sense to keep the entry-level and state of the art options two generations apart from each other. Apple Watch Series 4 could be re-introduced with a price tag similar to the Apple Watch Series 3, all currently sold products in the lineup would be upgraded to the new screen sizes while keeping multiple features exclusive to the higher end options (e.g. always-on display).
2. Discontinuation of Apple Watch Series 3, Apple Watch Series 5 gets price drop and becomes entry-level option:
   Could happen, but not very likely given the rumors about the Apple Watch Series 6 upgrades. Apple would either have to price Apple Watch Series 5 at the current Series 3 price point which could cannibalize Series 6 sales due to lack of differentiation or they would have to significantly raise the entry-level price of the Apple Watch overall which would probably result in decreasing sales.
3. Discontinuation of Apple Watch Series 5, Apple Watch Series 3 remains entry-level option:
   Very unlikely in my opinion. Apple could keep around the Series 3 as the entry-level Apple Watch for a third year. Yes, that would possibly allow them to reduce the entry price even further (which I don't think is needed) but it would also keep the defragmentation of screen sizes around for another year and performance of Series 3 for another 3-4 years in customer life cycle seems questionable too.

What do you think?

I would say #3 with a processor upgrade to keep the form factor different from the AW 6 (if it stays the same as 5). Problem with option #1 is that there won't be a difference in form factor between them unless AW 6 has a different form factor (which prob won't happen).

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

#3. AW6 would require some really good functions that would cater to most, in order for customers to pick that over the AW4 or even AW5.

 

[Hankkk]

I would say #3 with a processor upgrade to keep the form factor different from the AW 6 (if it stays the same as 5). Problem with option #1 is that there won't be a difference in form factor between them unless AW 6 has a different form factor (which prob won't happen).

Also an interesting option that I hadn't thought about, thanks! The question is how they would differentiate the current Series 3 from the updated version. With the original Apple Watch and Series 1 they found an elegant way of doing that. This could easily confuse customers. Other than that, seems plausible.

 

[nicho]

Also an interesting option that I hadn't thought about, thanks! The question is how they would differentiate the current Series 3 from the updated version. With the original Apple Watch and Series 1 they found an elegant way of doing that. This could easily confuse customers. Other than that, seems plausible.

Series 3S

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Series 5 and Series 6

From a manufacturing standpoint, the reason an older model can be produced at lower price is because the production lines (both for component parts and final assembly), tooling, parts, etc. are already in place; they just need to keep the same thing running with no additional investment.

Based on that, there's no point to bringing back the Series 4. They'd have to resurrect all the retired parts, reconfigure assembly lines, train workers... that costs money, which runs contrary to producing at lower cost.

As long as there are significant new capabilities in the Series 6 (additional sensors, etc.) then there's little problem distinguishing between Series 5 and Series 6. The problem a year ago was that there wasn't a major difference between Series 4 and Series 5 other than always-on display. It was hard to say, "Pay more for the new model." Series 3 provided the necessary contrast.

 

[44267547]

With the original Apple Watch and Series 1 they found an elegant way of doing that.

Elegant? You Do you realize that the Series one Apple Watch was mainly a first GEN watch with an upgraded S-chip, right?

Series 4 returns—>Added upgraded chip with a balanced entry level price point, repacking the Series 3, but with a different moniker other than calling it the ‘Series 4’. It’s crucial for Apple to have an entry-level price point for the sport model, because the ceramic and stainless are out of price point affordability for the majority of consumers.

 

[Hankkk]

Elegant? You Do you realize that the Series one Apple Watch was mainly a first GEN watch with an upgraded S-chip, right?

Yes, I do. I was referring to the naming. Since the original Apple Watch did not have additional naming, they had the easy option to add the new chip and re-brand it as Series 1.

If they were to add a new chip for the Series 3 or 4, they would have to find another name outside of the usual Apple Watch naming scheme.

 

[bluecoast]

I heard rumours that Apple had been experimenting with a plastic casing.

Maybe this is for the long rumoured kids Apple Watch.

But maybe putting series 4 in a plastic case, and selling it for the same prices as the series 3 would stop series 6 being cannibalised, I'd bet.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I heard rumours that Apple had been experimenting with a plastic casing.

Maybe this is for the long rumoured kids Apple Watch.

But maybe putting series 4 in a plastic case, and selling it for the same prices as the series 3 would stop series 6 being cannibalised, I'd bet.

Plastic casing would get beat up in no time at all. On a kid’s watch maybe but, the price tag would seem extreme then, in my opinion.

 

[canyonblue737]

I think Series 3 sticks around, perhaps with a processor upgrade. They just wouldn't want the "low-low" end AW to look the same as the high end, and it is near certain the AW6 will still have the AW4 form factor. I think AW7 is the next "big" change....

 

[bluecoast]

I think Series 3 sticks around, perhaps with a processor upgrade. They just wouldn't want the "low-low" end AW to look the same as the high end, and it is near certain the AW6 will still have the AW4 form factor. I think AW7 is the next "big" change....

Another good option.

Anyone know if it would be easy to get the series 4 processor in the series 3?

Otherwise, even if series 4 stuck around (in the same form factor) at a lower price, many people are going to buy that over the series 6.

The always on watch face of series 5 I can't see being offered at a lower price, as that's a premium feature that many people would be happy to have - instead of the top of the line model.

If the rumours are true about S6, increased battery life, fast charging, blood oxygen and sleep apnoea tracking are going to be a compelling upgrade for many people.

So maybe series 4 sticking around will be a wide enough gulf between the two lines.

 

[jz0309]

interesting.
I find it hard to believe that Apple would do anything engineering-wise with the AW3, so I think it will be discontinued.

I also find it hard to believe they would make the AW5 the new entry model, while it didn't have much over the AW4, they are not going to put it at a price point to be an entry model.

That leaves the AW4 as the new entry model, they must have had some stock plus all the assembly lines can remain unchanged as it's the same size as AW6.

But, could they release a "AW-SE"??? a new entry model???

I guess we will find out at some point in the near future ...

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

The Apple Watch SE!

Apple Watch SE and new Apple Watch Gold Edition could offer fans budget and premium alternatives to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 6

It has been reported that Apple is working on both a budget smartwatch and ultra-premium smartwatch for fans of the brand to choose from. Details of a supposed Apple Watch SE, which would replace the current Series 3 models, have been leaked, and images of an alleged new AW Gold Edition have...

www.notebookcheck.net

 

[nicho]

The Apple Watch SE!

Apple Watch SE and new Apple Watch Gold Edition could offer fans budget and premium alternatives to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 6

It has been reported that Apple is working on both a budget smartwatch and ultra-premium smartwatch for fans of the brand to choose from. Details of a supposed Apple Watch SE, which would replace the current Series 3 models, have been leaked, and images of an alleged new AW Gold Edition have...

www.notebookcheck.net

Not sure this rumour holds much sway... the other part is clearly wrong. The pictured Edition is in fact the original from 2015

All About The 18k Gold Apple Watch Edition | aBlogtoWatch

Hands-on review of the Apple Watch Edition in 18k gold, how it compares to other Apple Watches, and what a luxury Apple Watch is all about.

www.ablogtowatch.com

 

[44267547]

I think AW7 is the next "big" change....

Kind of obvious, only because the Apple Watch would have some form factor change every three years based off trajectory. That, and I don’t think watches really are expected to change much in terms of design, unless Apple adds a round variant, that would be groundbreaking and would be an instant pre-order for me.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Kind of obvious, only because the Apple Watch would have some form factor change every three years based off trajectory. That, and I don’t think watches really are expected to change much in terms of design, unless Apple adds a round variant, that would be groundbreaking and would be an instant pre-order for me.

I still don't understand the appeal of putting a square peg in a round hole. Text, photos... rectilinear for the most part.

Round mechanical watch faces are an accurate expression of the gear-driven system behind the faceplate. The endless rotation around the dial a natural outgrowth of the mechanical problem, "What happens at the end of 12 or 24 hours?" A circle neatly addresses this problem. Yet our perception of time is linear, not circular. The day/night cycle repeats endlessly, but date moves inexorably onward.

I get it, we've been programmed to recognize round things on our wrists as "watches." Circles and curves appeal to a different part of our minds than straight lines and boxes (consider the fairly rapid change from curvy Art Nouveau to Cubism and Bauhaus). But if form is to have any relation to function (chips and circuit boards can be more densely packed in rectilinear form than circular, layouts intended for rectangular smartphone and computer displays more readily adapted to rectangular smart watch faces...), then why persist in pretending that there's any functional reason for a round digital watch?

Ironically, we have nearly the inverse in photography (still and motion). Lenses are round, but nearly all finished images are rectangles. There's a long list of reasons why we make round lenses and why we've chosen to discard all the information captured by those lens that falls outside those rectangles; some are aesthetic, some are mechanical.

When the CRT came along, it was cheaper and easier to fabricate round TV tubes, but the theatrical proscenium is rectangular for good, functional reasons, so they encountered the same square peg/round hole problem we're discussing today. Initially, huge TV cabinets with relatively small displays due to the rectangular masks that overlaid the tube (talk about large bezels). Eventually, those glass CRTs were blown into rectangular form to deliver larger displays in same-sized cabinets.

So yeah, round watches are traditional. If Apple Watch was only an electronic version of a traditional timepiece, why not mimic that traditional timepiece? But functionally, it's not a traditional timepiece. It goes far beyond timepiece in its capabilities. It is something different, so its design has to reflect that difference rather than deny it.

 

[QCassidy352]

1. I can't recall Apple ever bringing back a discontinued model, but I guess it's possible. Seems unlikely to me.
2. Not enough differentiation between S5 and S6 (unless the rumors/leaks have missed something major). S5 at current S3 prices would massively eat into S6 sales.
3. Possible, but it's a long time to keep the S3 for sale.

As others have noted, I think the original post is missing the most likely two options:
4. S3 with an updated processor, or
5. S4 with an updated processor.

I am betting on #4, personally.

 

[mikedis]

Not sure this rumour holds much sway... the other part is clearly wrong. The pictured Edition is in fact the original from 2015

Not only that, the classic buckles have been discontinued for years now, and so have the hard boxes lol

 

[44267547]

Not only that, the classic buckles have been discontinued for years now, and so have the hard boxes lol

There’s a huge Third party market For classic buckles and even the authenticated bands can be found on EBay with little effort. (Just make sure to look for the proper insignia).

 

[mikedis]

There’s a huge Third party market For classic buckles and even the authenticated bands can be found on EBay with little effort. (Just make sure to look for the proper insignia).

Yeah, but the claim is that these are supposed “leaked photos of a new edition” when Apple is very unlikely to bring back classic buckles. I’m not doubting that they’re legitimate, I’m just doubting that those classic buckles are to an unreleased watch.

 

[i486dx2-66]

1. I can't recall Apple ever bringing back a discontinued model, but I guess it's possible. Seems unlikely to me.

There was the 4th gen iPad. It ran from late 2012 through late 2013, was discontinued, and then was reintroduced about 5 months later. I'm not aware of any other examples.

 

[satchmo]

I still don't understand the appeal of putting a square peg in a round hole. Text, photos... rectilinear for the most part.

Round mechanical watch faces are an accurate expression of the gear-driven system behind the faceplate. The endless rotation around the dial a natural outgrowth of the mechanical problem, "What happens at the end of 12 or 24 hours?" A circle neatly addresses this problem. Yet our perception of time is linear, not circular. The day/night cycle repeats endlessly, but date moves inexorably onward.

I get it, we've been programmed to recognize round things on our wrists as "watches." Circles and curves appeal to a different part of our minds than straight lines and boxes (consider the fairly rapid change from curvy Art Nouveau to Cubism and Bauhaus). But if form is to have any relation to function (chips and circuit boards can be more densely packed in rectilinear form than circular, layouts intended for rectangular smartphone and computer displays more readily adapted to rectangular smart watch faces...), then why persist in pretending that there's any functional reason for a round digital watch?

Ironically, we have nearly the inverse in photography (still and motion). Lenses are round, but nearly all finished images are rectangles. There's a long list of reasons why we make round lenses and why we've chosen to discard all the information captured by those lens that falls outside those rectangles; some are aesthetic, some are mechanical.

When the CRT came along, it was cheaper and easier to fabricate round TV tubes, but the theatrical proscenium is rectangular for good, functional reasons, so they encountered the same square peg/round hole problem we're discussing today. Initially, huge TV cabinets with relatively small displays due to the rectangular masks that overlaid the tube (talk about large bezels). Eventually, those glass CRTs were blown into rectangular form to deliver larger displays in same-sized cabinets.

So yeah, round watches are traditional. If Apple Watch was only an electronic version of a traditional timepiece, why not mimic that traditional timepiece? But functionally, it's not a traditional timepiece. It goes far beyond timepiece in its capabilities. It is something different, so its design has to reflect that difference rather than deny it.

You're not wrong, but I think there's a simple reasoning behind the desire for a round watch. While watches are functional devices, they also serve as jewelry. And jewelry is about fashion, style and aesthetics.

Employing the basic principles of good design of contrast, a round shape set against a rectilinear background (your arm/wrist) simply look better.

 

[oldmacs]

1. I can't recall Apple ever bringing back a discontinued model, but I guess it's possible. Seems unlikely to me.

They brought back the iPad 4 after discontinuing it - If I recall correctly, the iPad 4 was discontinued when the Air 1 came out, with the iPad 2 as the base model, but then Apple discontinued the iPad 2 and brought back the iPad 4.

But your point still holds - it would be an unusual move.

 

[doboy]

You're not wrong, but I think there's a simple reasoning behind the desire for a round watch. While watches are functional devices, they also serve as jewelry. And jewelry is about fashion, style and aesthetics.

Employing the basic principles of good design of contrast, a round shape set against a rectilinear background (your arm/wrist) simply look better.

So you're saying the galaxy watches look better? Haha