While we all expect Apple to take the iPhone 17 in a bold new direction this year, the rumors have been very quiet about the Apple Watch. But a report today from a well-known source finally adds some intrigue to the next round of watches.
According to user Instant Digital on Weibo (as spotted by MacRumors), Apple may be working on a completely new Apple Watch “with a glass frame, which supports touch interaction.” Currently, the Apple Watch Series 10 has an aluminum frame while the Apple Watch Ultra is made of titanium.
The rumor includes little in the way of details but does note that Apple is looking to bring the all-glass enclosure to the Apple Watch before the iPhone.
Apple has experimented with various materials for the Apple Watch over the years, including ceramic and solid gold, but an all-glass frame would be a major change. While the watch would likely look the same, an all-glass enclosure would let Apple design a single one-piece design that blurs the line between screen, sensors, and buttons.
Apple has been exploring all-glass devices for decades and already has products, like the AirPods 4, with touch-sensitive controls. But since its launch in 2015, the Apple Watch has had physical side buttons and a Digital Crown with a display that supports multi-touch gestures. The Apple Watch Ultra adds a second Action button on the left side that is customizable for a variety of uses.
There were reports last year that Apple was considering a radical new Apple Watch Series X to celebrate its 10th anniversary, but the Series 10 was another in a long line of incremental updates.
Author: Michael Simon, Executive Editor, Macworld
Michael Simon has been covering Apple for more than 20 years. He started covering rumors with Spymac when the iPod was the iWalk, and has owned nearly every iPhone Apple has ever made. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, son, and far too many gadgets.