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TechRunning 1d ↳ Apple mulls radical Apple Watch redesign with round screens and screenless options

Apple mulls radical Apple Watch redesign with round screens and screenless options

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple is rethinking its smartwatch lineup amid competition from Oura Ring and fitness bands.

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Apple mulls radical Apple Watch redesign with round screens and screenless options
macrumors.com

Conversation activity · last 2 days peak 10/hr

Peak 10 items in one hour at Aug 9, 10 AM; 29 items over 2 days Aug 8, 10 AM — 1 itemAug 8, 11 AM — no itemsAug 8, 12 PM — no itemsAug 8, 1 PM — no itemsAug 8, 2 PM — no itemsAug 8, 3 PM — no itemsAug 8, 4 PM — no itemsAug 8, 5 PM — no itemsAug 8, 6 PM — no itemsAug 8, 7 PM — no itemsAug 8, 8 PM — no itemsAug 8, 9 PM — no itemsAug 8, 10 PM — no itemsAug 8, 11 PM — no itemsAug 9, 12 AM — no itemsAug 9, 1 AM — no itemsAug 9, 2 AM — no itemsAug 9, 3 AM — no itemsAug 9, 4 AM — no itemsAug 9, 5 AM — no itemsAug 9, 6 AM — no itemsAug 9, 7 AM — no itemsAug 9, 8 AM — no itemsAug 9, 9 AM — 6 itemsAug 9, 10 AM — 10 itemsAug 9, 11 AM — 5 itemsAug 9, 12 PM — 1 itemAug 9, 1 PM — no itemsAug 9, 2 PM — no itemsAug 9, 3 PM — no itemsAug 9, 4 PM — no itemsAug 9, 5 PM — no itemsAug 9, 6 PM — no itemsAug 9, 7 PM — 1 itemAug 9, 8 PM — no itemsAug 9, 9 PM — no itemsAug 9, 10 PM — no itemsAug 9, 11 PM — no itemsAug 10, 12 AM — no itemsAug 10, 1 AM — 1 itemAug 10, 2 AM — no itemsAug 10, 3 AM — no itemsAug 10, 4 AM — no itemsAug 10, 5 AM — 2 itemsAug 10, 6 AM — 2 itemsAug 10, 7 AM — no itemsAug 10, 8 AM — no itemsAug 10, 9 AM — no items 10 items · 10 AM
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 29 items across 4 sources · 21h ago. Quotes are verbatim.

Apple is reconsidering the fundamental design of the Apple Watch, exploring round displays, screenless fitness accessories, and multiple new form factors across premium and affordable price points. The overhaul would represent the biggest design departure in the product line's history and coincide with a push toward AI-centric health features, though no concrete designs have been finalized and major changes are likely years away.

  • Apple's industrial design team is exploring round screens, screenless fitness devices, and multiple new form factors for the Apple Watch—the most radical redesign in the product line's history.
  • The rethink is driven by competition from Oura Ring and other screenless smart fitness devices that are resurgent in the market.
  • Plans remain early with no concrete direction settled; any major design changes are years away from market.
  • Upcoming September 2026 releases will be iterative improvements (Series 12, Ultra 4), not the radical overhaul.

How it unfolded

  1. Event Apple Watch Series 12 and iterative models launching

    Apple will release Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 this fall with new CPUs, color options, and improved fitness features, likely at Apple's September event alongside iPhone 18 Pro and first foldable iPhone.

  2. 3 weeks quiet
  3. Report Gurman reports radical Apple Watch redesign plans

    Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reveals in his Power On newsletter that Apple is exploring a major rethink of the Apple Watch lineup, considering round displays, screenless devices, and new form factors.

  4. Analysis Gurman compares redesign to foldable iPhone transformation

    Gurman frames the potential Apple Watch revamp as comparable in significance to the iPhone's evolution from a slab design to a foldable device.

  5. Report Apple considering multiple design directions and price tiers

    Reports indicate Apple is evaluating premium variants above Ultra and Hermès models, as well as more affordable options beyond the SE, in response to competition from smart rings and screenless fitness bands.

  6. Report Round Apple Watch deemed unlikely to release

    While round displays are under consideration, Gurman cautions that such a device is unlikely to actually reach market.

What people are saying verbatim

“exploring a broader rethink of its smartwatches”

Apple (via Mark Gurman), Company statement · MacRumors · Aug 8

“something that transforms the product for a new era”

Mark Gurman, Bloomberg reporter · MacRumors · Aug 8

“could be as significant as the iPhone's transformation from a slab design into a foldable device”

Mark Gurman, Bloomberg reporter · MacRumors · Aug 8

“determined to reinvent the lineup in response to growing competition”

Apple (via Mark Gurman), Company characterization · MacRumors · Aug 8