Apple Watch Diagnostic Port Spotted in Apple Promo Videos

Monday March 9, 2015 5:53 PM PDT by Arnold Kim
Last week, we heard reports that a hidden "diagnostic port" was present on early Apple Watches currently in testing. The TechCrunch report indicated the port was being used for diagnostic purposes.
The port has a 6-dot brass contact array inside the groove for the ‘bottom’ strap connector slot. Several sources have confirmed its existence and placement to me. It is very similar to the connector for the Lightning connector in iPhones, as that connector currently only uses 6 of its 8 available pins. Apple recently began opening up the Lightning port for use by third parties. A source says that this port is currently for diagnostic purposes only — but that there is nothing preventing it from being a connection port for future accessories.
The port was spotted by our forum members in a number of the new Apple Watch promo videos that Apple released today.

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Matthew Panzarino, the original author of the report, confirmed today that the port still exists, but he remains uncertain if it will ship in the final version:

The Apple Watch will begin shipping in April with pre-orders starting on April 10th.

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39 comments

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troop231
65 months ago
Thank you for finally mentioning the linked thread and connector :) Oh, and using my pic! :D
Rating: 7 Votes
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dmx
65 months ago
I hope it isn't there/used to verify that bands are Apple Certified.
Rating: 7 Votes
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troop231
65 months ago

Looks to me more like a place for the audio sounds to come out, like the ports on the bottom of the iPhone.

Also.... if you think Apple is going to have a Marketing video with the ports on it and they AREN'T gonna be on the production model? you are mistaken. Apple would never do that.


Does little good to put 6 holes for sound if said holes will be completely covered up by the band's connector.
Rating: 6 Votes
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troop231
65 months ago

No? How about the iPhone 4 and 4S "bumpers" ?

Outside of that.... the point was that you can still hear audio even through an Otterbox covering the entire audio holes.

Where else is the sound coming out of... if not out of those port holes?


Apple didn't obstruct the iPhone 4 sound and mic locations at all with their bumpers:



Maybe you should've read the linked thread in the article: https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1853605

to find this pic of the mic and speaker location:

Rating: 5 Votes
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troop231
65 months ago

hmmm kind like how they still work when an iPhone is in a an Otterbox or a LifeProof case?


Apple doesn't obstruct their own cutouts
Rating: 4 Votes
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C DM
65 months ago

Lol, I love when the "flat earthers" come out with their theories on how a diagnostic port is actually a plot to destroy a vibrant ecosystem of bands that would aide adoption of Apple Watch in a huge way, by making them MUCH more personal & customizable than any "open" Android Wear product!

Yup.... makes perfect sense.

Apple does it with other hardware like Lightning connetors. Sure it's not the same exact thing, and perhaps not likely, but it's not as crazy of a possibility as some might want to make it out to be. I guess it just all remains to be seen.
Rating: 2 Votes
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troop231
65 months ago

Considering every Lightning Cable has an authentication chip built in, it's really not a stretch to imagine every band will as well.


Oh I know, but for some reason I'm having a hard time imagining a chip in the rubber straps.
Rating: 2 Votes
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skinned66
65 months ago

I hope it isn't there/used to verify that bands are Apple Certified.


I'd bet money if it's there in the end-user product then that will be its primary function. Hadn't thought of it until you mentioned it though. Good call.
Rating: 2 Votes
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wardrip
65 months ago
here is a whole bunch from the video that show the connector.
Rating: 1 Votes
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troop231
65 months ago

Exactly. With some bands running over $400, Apple wont want a Chinese knockoff that runs $30 to "tarnish" their "luxury" image and take that revenue away. I imagine the watch won't function with an unauthorized band.


So each band is going to have a chip in it?
Rating: 1 Votes
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