Apple has already announced the dates of its Wanderlust fall event where we will get to see the new devices including the new iPhones, Apple Watch and USB-C AirPods. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has published a report recently highlighting the devices that are expected at the event. While the iPhone 15 series will be at the forefront of announcements, Apple is also planning major upgrades for the Apple Watch Series 9.
As per Gurman, Apple will unveil two new Apple Watch models at the event – the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra second generation. Series 9 will be available in two sizes – 41mm and 45mm similar to the last year’s Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will also stick to the current model’s 49mm dial.
Apple Watch Performance upgrades
While there will be no striking design changes in both Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, Gurman believes that Apple will bring considerable performance upgrades across new watches.
Apple’s focus will be on performance upgrades this year and there will be a major bump in performance speed. Both Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 will get the new chips. This will be the first time since 2020 when the Apple Watch Series 6 received an upgrade in the chip.
For improved Find My capabilities, this year’s both Apple Watch models and iPhone 15 models will get the new U2 ultrawide band chip.
Apple is also planning upgrades to different sensors and internal components with the aim of improving efficiency, speed, and performance. More importantly, there will be a new optical heart rate sensor.
3D Printing, Environment friendly watch bands
As we have heard rumors previously, Apple is moving towards 3D printing a few devices this year. Gurman says stainless steel models of the Series 9 will be among the products that will be manufactured using the 3D printing technology.
From next year onwards, the Apple Watch Ultra second generation will be manufactured using the same technology, if Gurman is to be believed.
It is heavily rumored that Apple is trying to get rid of leather cases and therefore, we will see a new material for this year’s iPhone cases. Similarly, leather Apple Watch bands will also be replaced by an environmentally friendly material.
Apple is already selling leather straps and Hermes-branded at a 90% discount to its employees to get rid of the stock and stainless steel link bracelets from the 2015 watch are also out of the stock. This indicates that stainless steel bands are also due for a major upgrade or they will be discontinued altogether.