Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
iOS 13 & watchOS 6 Now Available
New Ceramic and Titanium Apple Watch Models Uncovered in watchOS 6 Beta
New leaked assets from the watchOS 6 beta suggest Apple plans to launch new ceramic and titanium Apple Watch models as early as next month.
Discovered by iHelpBR, the assets belong to the initial Apple Watch setup screen animation, which resembles the rear design of the watch including the model type and the words "Designed by Apple in California."
The firmware assets clearly reference a 44mm titanium case and a 44mm ceramic case. iHelpBR has also found analogous assets for the 40mm size Apple Watch model.
Back in February, respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted Apple would introduce a "new ceramic casing design" to its Apple Watch line-up, and these assets do appear to back up that claim.
Apple introduced "Edition" models with the Apple Watch Series 2 that were made from ceramic. Prices started at $1,299, which it continued offering when the Series 3 Apple Watches came out, but Apple discontinued the Edition models when the Series 4 launched last year.
Current Apple Watch models do have a ceramic back, but the assets indicate Apple will revisit a new high end ceramic model in 2019. And it looks like we can also expect an entirely new titanium model – a material perhaps currently in favor at Apple following work on its just-released titanium Apple Card.
Apple Watch Series 2 ceramic model in white
It's not clear if the titanium casing will replace stainless steel or become an additional option. Another unanswered question is whether these materials will be exclusive to a new Apple Watch Series 5, or also be offered as extra case material options for existing models.
According to the latest prediction from Kuo, Japan Display will supply the OLED displays for new Apple Watch Series 5 models slated to launch in the second half of 2019. Beyond that, we know very little about what to expect about the Series 5.
Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone lineup on September 10, so it's likely these Apple Watch models will be unveiled during the same event.
Discovered by iHelpBR, the assets belong to the initial Apple Watch setup screen animation, which resembles the rear design of the watch including the model type and the words "Designed by Apple in California."
The firmware assets clearly reference a 44mm titanium case and a 44mm ceramic case. iHelpBR has also found analogous assets for the 40mm size Apple Watch model.
Back in February, respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted Apple would introduce a "new ceramic casing design" to its Apple Watch line-up, and these assets do appear to back up that claim.
Apple introduced "Edition" models with the Apple Watch Series 2 that were made from ceramic. Prices started at $1,299, which it continued offering when the Series 3 Apple Watches came out, but Apple discontinued the Edition models when the Series 4 launched last year.
Current Apple Watch models do have a ceramic back, but the assets indicate Apple will revisit a new high end ceramic model in 2019. And it looks like we can also expect an entirely new titanium model – a material perhaps currently in favor at Apple following work on its just-released titanium Apple Card.
It's not clear if the titanium casing will replace stainless steel or become an additional option. Another unanswered question is whether these materials will be exclusive to a new Apple Watch Series 5, or also be offered as extra case material options for existing models.
According to the latest prediction from Kuo, Japan Display will supply the OLED displays for new Apple Watch Series 5 models slated to launch in the second half of 2019. Beyond that, we know very little about what to expect about the Series 5.
Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone lineup on September 10, so it's likely these Apple Watch models will be unveiled during the same event.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 6
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
[ 235 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
5 weeks ago
I never understood why someone would purchase a high end smart watch. High end watches like Rolex and omega are timeless, smart watches are not. Dropping $1300+ on a watch that will be obsolete in 2-3 years doesn’t seem like a great investment.
5 weeks ago
If Apple offered a service whereby the logic board could be replaced in the future (to retain speed if nothing else) I'm sure more people would part money for the stainless steel/ceramic models.
Heck, if they offered it from day one, then even the gold 'Edition' model would at least have some value...
Heck, if they offered it from day one, then even the gold 'Edition' model would at least have some value...
5 weeks ago
I never understood why someone would purchase a high end smart watch. High end watches like Rolex and omega are timeless, smart watches are not. Dropping $1300+ on a watch that will be obsolete in 2-3 years doesn’t seem like a great investment.
That’s where you’re incorrect. Smart watches are _not_ an investment, it’s merely an aesthetic decision based on what someone prefers. Depending how long someone keeps the watch and being they want a specific casing material (i.e stainless, ceramic, ect), it pays for itself as long someone regularly uses it. I’d happily pay that, being I’m not interested in the aluminum Model. Some of us want the ‘higher end’ models. Choice is a good thing.
As long as someone can accept it depreciates, but enjoys the functionality and aesthetics, that’s really all that matters.
5 weeks ago
Apple Watch makes you live longer? Elaborate please.
Haha! I’m assuming they mean with the heart-monitoring features and health applications to the devices.
But yeah, the point is that a Rolex in 50 years is still a timeless collectible, functioning Rolex. It will always have use and be worth something. In even 5 years that Apple Watch isn’t going to work as intended. It’s a throwaway. People spending the absurd amounts of cash on them are just wealthy culturally adapted brainwashed IMO. It’s a thing. Needing, craving status as some form of personal gratification and measurement of success. Those are the people spending $1300 on the throwaway Apple watches.
5 weeks ago
I've always liked the ceramic
I've never liked the price
this year will be an easy skip for me with my s4 sport 40mm and one year left of AC+
I've never liked the price
this year will be an easy skip for me with my s4 sport 40mm and one year left of AC+
5 weeks ago
So discontinuing ceramic then bringing it back is a “new feature”?
who said its a feature? is just a thing. Maybe people ask for ceramic to come back
5 weeks ago
What's the point if they cost hundreds more? It's tech. It's throwaway goods. People buy a new one every year or two. No point spending hundreds more for the casing
5 weeks ago
Plain titanium, although very strong for its light weight (but not quite as strong for a given bulk as steel), is not particularly scratch-resistant; and naturally, it's not particularly shiny, but slightly gray (like aluminum, the surface oxidizes but the oxide protects rather than rusting deeper like with steel). Like aluminum, it can be anodized (a wide range of colors depending on the voltage used), but the anodized surface is subject to being worn off, which wouldn't look so good anymore.
There's a titanium-gold alloy, β-Ti3Au (3 parts titanium to 1 part gold) that's said to be 4 times harder than pure titanium. I wonder if that can be done as a (fairly thick) surface treatment rather than to the entire mass, and what that would look like, what color, how shiny and wear-resistant, etc. That alloy is considered promising for such things as hip implants, because it's very bio-compatible and very durable. So hopefully the techniques to form it suitably are already well-developed.
There's a titanium-gold alloy, β-Ti3Au (3 parts titanium to 1 part gold) that's said to be 4 times harder than pure titanium. I wonder if that can be done as a (fairly thick) surface treatment rather than to the entire mass, and what that would look like, what color, how shiny and wear-resistant, etc. That alloy is considered promising for such things as hip implants, because it's very bio-compatible and very durable. So hopefully the techniques to form it suitably are already well-developed.
5 weeks ago
Tim Cook on stage
"We know our 18k gold was a bit to high, so we are offering you titanium at half of that price"
We are sure you will love it.Again, WE ARE SURE, we don't just think so"
"We know our 18k gold was a bit to high, so we are offering you titanium at half of that price"
We are sure you will love it.Again, WE ARE SURE, we don't just think so"
5 weeks ago
I never understood why someone would purchase a high end smart watch. High end watches like Rolex and omega are timeless, smart watches are not. Dropping $1300+ on a watch that will be obsolete in 2-3 years doesn’t seem like a great investment.
high end rolex or etc, lives more than you...so whats the point? Apple watch makes you live longer[ Read All Comments ]
Burst Mode refers to when the camera on your iPhone captures a series of photos in rapid succession, at a rate of ten frames per second. It's a great way to shoot an action scene or an unexpected...
Apple's Portrait Mode has become a popular way of taking impressive shots using a depth-of-field effect known as bokeh, allowing iPhone users to shoot a photo that keeps the subject sharp with a...
Apple has redesigned the native Camera app on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro to make space for the various additional shooting options available in its new flagship phones, and one particularly...
Apple's massive launch week has come to a close, with the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and Apple Watch Series 5 all debuting on Friday. And as if that wasn't enough, Thursday...
With the arrival of the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, Apple has introduced an optional new camera feature in iOS 13 that's designed to allow you to correct the alignment of...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with AnyTrans to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win one of Apple's new iPhone 11 Pro Max devices and a lifetime AnyTrans license.
For...
Due to Apple seeding the iOS 13.1 beta prior to the public release of iOS 13, upgrading to a new iPhone may be a bit trickier this year.
In a support document, Apple has provided instructions...
Apple today the golden master version of an upcoming tvOS 13 update to developers, one week after seeding the eleventh beta and more than three months after unveiling the tvOS 13 software at the...
