An Apple Watch Series 6 on display at the company’s flagship store in Sydney.
Photographer: David Gray / Bloomberg
Photographer: David Gray / Bloomberg
Apple Inc. is considering releasing an Apple Watch with a rugged case aimed at athletes, hikers and others who use the device in more extreme environments, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Cupertino, California-based tech giant has internally discussed introducing such a Watch variation later in 2021 or 2022 at the earliest, said the people, who asked not to be identified to discuss private matters.
This is at least the second time Apple has thought of a rugged smartwatch. After When launching the first version of the Apple Watch in 2015, the company considered a new model to better appeal to extreme sports athletes. The current version continues to be popular with runners, hikers, and swimmers, and Apple has added several sports and activity tracking features through its annual update cycle. However, Casio Computer Co. and other watchmakers have seen strong sales thanks to stronger product designs with added protection.
Smart Watch Market
The Apple Watch leads everyone else in this fast-growing tech sector
Source: Counterpoint Research.
If Apple goes ahead this time around, the rugged version would be an add-on model similar to how Apple offers a lower-cost option called the Apple Watch SE and special editions co-branded with Nike Inc. and Hermes International. Sometimes referred to as the “Explorer Edition” within Apple, the product would have the same functionality as a standard Apple Watch but with added punch.endurance and protection in the line of Casio G-Shock watches.
Read more about Casio’s G-Shock line here.
The Casio G-Shock is considered one of the most popular watches ever created.
The latest Apple Watch models are already water resistant to 50 meters, in the high end for most smartwatches. But Apple could make a new device more “tough” by giving it a rubberized exterior that would be useful for environments where current aluminum, titanium and stainless steel cases could be prone to damage.
Development of the new Apple Watch variation could eventually be canceled or delayed, people familiar with the matter said. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.
Apple is also working on new swim tracking features for the Apple Watch. The company usually launches new models in September. Last year, it released the lower-cost Apple Watch SE and added a faster processor and blood oxygen sensor with the Apple Watch Series 6.
The Apple Watch has become one of Apple’s most important products, although the company does not reveal how much revenue it generates. The device is part of the company’s wearables, home and accessories segment, which generated sales of more than $ 30 billion in its last year. fiscal year. That made it Apple’s most successful product category other than the iPhone. Apple had 40% of the smartwatch market in the last quarter of 2020, according to Counterpoint investigation.