The first report of a major new Apple Watch design dates back to 2023, so you probably shouldn’t hold your breath on the basis of the latest claim. The original Bloomberg report said that an Apple Watch X would arrive in 2024 or 2025, so …

Leaker Instant Digital doesn’t appear to have any new information about an upcoming redesign, but rather refers back to that original report and says it is finally arriving this year. But they do echo the claim that it will break compatibility with existing bands …

That’s because the existing band attachment method relies on a relatively chunky case thickness to accommodate it. For a slimmer case, Apple is said to be considering instead a magnetic attachment.

Starting with the original Apple Watch, bands have slid into the sides of the chassis and attached with a locking mechanism. Keeping that design the same let the bands stay compatible with old and new models, but it has downsides. People involved in the development of new Apple Watches say the system takes up a considerable amount of space that could be better filled with a bigger battery or other components.

To be clear, Gurman didn’t say Apple had definitely decided to switch to a magnetic system, only that it may do so.

I acknowledged at the time that such a change would upset many, as there are those who have a substantial amount of money invested in bands. Some official bands like the Space Black Link Bracelet and Hermès range have had price tags adjacent to $500, and the more fashion-forward owners have invested in multiple bands to accessorize different outfits. Having to discard this investment would be painful.

But I also argued that it would be inevitable at some point. The innards are so tightly packed that it simply isn’t possible to significantly reduce the case thickness while maintaining battery capacity unless you can recoup that space from somewhere else – and the band connectors are the only realistic prospect.

Using that space to extend the battery outward would allow a significantly slimmer one to be used.

I no longer have a view on this, given I’ve switched from an Apple Watch to an Oura smart ring, but what’s your view? Please take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments.

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