A future ruggedized Apple Watch Pro may add a physical button on the left side of the device, but its purpose remains unclear.
- What is happening? It appears that Apple’s rugged watch may have a dedicated workout button on the left side of the device, while the Digital Crown and side buttons on the right side appear to be built into a ledge.
- Why care? This button is most likely associated with starting and ending a workout, which can be quite tricky with touch controls if it’s raining or you’re doing complex activities like cycling, skydiving, etc.
- What to do? Be sure to tune in to Apple’s video launch on Wednesday and keep an eye on iDownloadBlog as we’ll be bringing you all the news you need to know.
Apple Watch Pro may get another side button
This information is based on images of third-party cases posted on the Chinese social network Weibo, straps for upcoming watches leaked from Sonny Dixon’s Twitter, and CAD renderings posted online by 91mobiles. Most online commentators agree that this is most likely a dedicated workout button.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the button is programmable, and watchOS 9 appears to provide the ability to assign different functions to the button.
A few things I’d like to point out about the design of the Apple Watch Pro: – No flat sides. They are rounded like in the Series 7. The new button on the left side is probably programmable to whatever you want. For example, launching a specific app, feature, or workout.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) September 5, 2022
All Apple Watch models from the original to the current Apple Watch Series 7 have two physical buttons on the right side of the case: a digital crown that you can rotate and press, and another button that Apple calls the side button. Read: What is the dock on your Apple Watch? How to use it?
Assuming these CAD renderings represent the real thing, this new side button on the left side should be located under the speaker vents. The renders also render a flash display instead of the current Apple Watch, which has a slightly curved screen around the edges.
2 buttons? pic.twitter.com/uxjZnw5EX9 _ _
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) September 5, 2022
This is probably a special button for training.
Are you an active type who enjoys hiking, biking and jogging? Do you consider yourself an athlete or aspire to become one? If so, you’ll prefer the tactile feel of a physical button to touching the screen.
I tracked my swim this summer using my old, rusty Apple Watch Series 3. Their battery capacity has dropped significantly, but not enough to stop me from tracking my average workout. Read: How to add special actions to the Workout app
What bothered me a lot was the fact that I couldn’t use the touchscreen to finish my workout after I finished swimming without thoroughly wiping the display and my fingers. Capacitive touch technology does not like moisture!
With that in mind, it’s easy to imagine extreme sports enthusiasts and athletes accustomed to multi-button Garmin watches who appreciate the ability to start, pause or end a workout with the quick press of a dedicated button.
source: https://t.co/0YGp7Nc52z pic.twitter.com/OWNv7DvyNd
— Duanrui (@duanrui1205) September 5, 2022
What’s up with this performance?
The images also suggest that the rugged Apple Watch might have a notch on the right side where you have the Digital Crown and Side buttons.
Its purpose is unknown, but given that the rugged Apple Watch is meant to be aimed at extreme sports enthusiasts, it could serve as additional protection for the buttons and make them more accessible than before.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that Apple’s rugged watch will have a display that’s “bigger than most wrists”and the case measures between 47mm and 48mm. In addition to the rugged model, Apple is also expected to introduce a new Apple Watch SE model, which will be the successor to the current Apple Watch Series 7.