Gurman: Apple Watch 'Pro' to Offer First True Redesign Since Series 4, but No Flat Sides

The upcoming high-end variant of the Apple Watch Series 8 will feature the device's first redesign in years and a new titanium casing, but will not feature the long-rumored squared-off look, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

apple watch series 7 mystery
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that this year's high-end Apple Watch model will be "a good bit bigger" than the current Apple Watch models, so much so that "it might only appeal to a subset of customers." The device is expected to feature a display that is seven percent larger.

Gurman reaffirmed rumors that the high-end Apple Watch will feature the first new design since the launch of the Apple Watch Series 4 in 2018. It will apparently not be circular, and contrary to reports of a squared-off design, "it also won't have those rumored flat sides." Instead, Gurman described the new design as being "an evolution of the current rectangular shape."

He added that it will have a casing made of "a more durable formulation of titanium to make it extra rugged." The device is also expected to feature longer battery life that could last multiple days on a single charge via a new Low Power Mode, according to Gurman.

The only new health feature expected for the Apple Watch Series 8 is still a body-temperature sensor, with blood-pressure monitoring not expected to arrive until 2025, and blood-glucose monitoring not set to be ready until "nearer to the end of the decade."

Gurman added that "the upcoming Apple Watch release is shaping up to be one of the company's more exciting product launches this year."

Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...

Top Rated Comments

Denzo Avatar
41 months ago
Forgive me.. but all we got is that it’s a little bigger, not much of a design change and potentially more battery. And mentions feature expected at the end of the decade?

Then the article ends with a comment "the upcoming Apple Watch release is shaping up to be one of the company's more exciting product launches this year."

Did I miss something?
Score: 118 Votes (Like | Disagree)
desmond2046 Avatar
41 months ago
I don’t care about the design. A blood pressure and blood glucose monitor would be the true game changer and will save millions of lifes.
Score: 48 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gpat Avatar
41 months ago

Forgive me.. but all we got is that it’s a little bigger, not much of a design change and potentially more battery. And mentions feature expected at the end of the decade?

Then the article ends with a comment "the upcoming Apple Watch release is shaping up to be one of the company's more exciting product launches this year."

Did I miss something?
This sentence, alone, is enough to summarize what a yawn-fest this 2022 is for Apple, and for consumer electronics in general.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
41 months ago
I’m starting to think the ‘flat-sided’ information was bait for potential leakers.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gsmornot Avatar
41 months ago
If a titanium body will be the only way to get a larger display I may not be able to get one with a larger display this year. Rumors at this point but my eyes want more screen, my budget does not.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Traverse Avatar
41 months ago
I understand that “pro” simply means the more expensive or higher-end model in Apple terms, but I thought that’s what the “edition” was?

I hope they find a better term. A “Pro” Apple Watch/user outside of a rugged outdoor watch doesn’t seem sensible to me.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)