Daring Fireball: Apple Watch Series 3 to Feature 'All-New Form Factor' [Updated] - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Daring Fireball: Apple Watch Series 3 to Feature 'All-New Form Factor' [Updated]

apple watch series 2The third-generation Apple Watch, set to launch this fall, will have an "all-new form factor" according to Daring Fireball's John Gruber.

Gruber shared the news in a post highlighting Bloomberg's news suggesting the device will include an LTE chip.

It's hard to overstate just how big a deal this could be. No mention in Businessweek's report, though, of the all-new form factor that I've heard is coming for this year's new watches.

Most rumors about the third-generation Apple Watch have suggested it will be a more minor update that focuses on battery life and other under-the-hood improvements, but ahead of the launch of the Series 2 Apple Watch, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the third version would include the device's first redesign.

Though we're likely just over a month away from the debut of the third-generation Apple Watch, if it does indeed launch alongside new iPhones, we've heard very little about the device. Aside from rumors of LTE connectivity and a focus on battery, we don't know what else to expect.

If there are major design changes in the works, Apple has managed to keep them under wraps, perhaps because of all the focus on the iPhone 8 this year.

Update: Gruber updated his post to clarify that his information comes from "a little birdie" and that it might not be accurate: "That tidbit came from an unconfirmed little birdie, though, so I wouldn’t bet the house on it."

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 12
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

Surprise and Shine Live Coverage Article

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and More

Wednesday September 9, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models, new AirPods 5 earphones, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium

New Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 Features Revealed

Sunday August 30, 2026 7:54 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today further outlined what to expect from the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 set to be unveiled on September 9. While it was initially rumored that Touch ID may be coming to the Apple Watch this year, Gurman reiterated that he does not expect the Series 12 or Ultra 4 to have any major design changes compared to the current Series 11 and Ultra 3 models. ...
apple surprise and shine event

Apple Event Today: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo Cheat Sheet

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by
Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone. To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...

Top Rated Comments

119 months ago
Give me a round option and I'll finally buy.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
119 months ago
incompatible with your $10k Apple Watch Edition band
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
119 months ago
I just want:

1) the watch face to always be displayed. Awkwardly raising my wrist (which only works if I sort of snap it up) or tapping is dumb - this isn't 1976 when we had to deal with LED digital watches.

2) developer access to watch faces. How is it possible that developers still cannot create custom watch faces?

If keeping the form factor "big" and not adding LTE is necessary to provide the battery necessary for these two things, I'll happily forgo a new form factor and LTE.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Vasilioskn Avatar
119 months ago
No way will they do round. EVery single app would have to be redone and updated.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
shyam09 Avatar
119 months ago
Seriously apple you have so much money and u make the best products and I love iPhone but u guys need to stop keeping the same design for more than 1 year the iPhone 8 looks exactly like the 6
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
119 months ago
Circle. Please circle.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)