The Apple Watch Solo Loop sizing effectively maps to the holes of the Sport Loop, according to John Gruber. The distance between the holes in every Apple Watch Sport Band is reportedly exactly the same as the distance between the 12 sizes of Solo Loops on Apple's measuring tool.
All Apple Watch Sport Bands have seven holes. For the 38mm or 40mm band, the S/M band corresponds to the Solo Loop sizes of one to seven, and the M/L band corresponds to the Solo Loop sizes of four to 10. For the 42mm or 44mm band, the S/M band corresponds to the Solo Loop sizes of three to nine, and the M/L band corresponds to the Solo Loop sizes of six to 12. Gruber writes:
A few people have wondered why Apple doesn't just map fluoroelastomer Sport Band sizes to Solo Loop sizes. I can see why Apple doesn't do that — they can't assume everyone already has access to an Apple Watch with a Sport Band, and even for people who do have access to one, Apple can't assume it's the right size watch (38/40mm vs. 42/44mm). And to further complicate matters, each Sport Band comes with two sizes for the side with the holes: "S/M" and "M/L." So that's four separate mappings from Sport Band holes to the new Solo Loop sizes.
The below image shows size mapping for two 40mm Apple Watch Sport Bands, with S/M and M/L sizes.
The following image shows size mapping for two 44mm Apple Watch Sport Bands, also with S/M and M/L sizes.
The news that it is possible to match Solo and Braided Loop sizing to the Sport Band will reassure many existing Apple Watch users who have been concerned about sizing issues and the potential need for an inconvenient return.
Regarding Apple's measuring tool, Gruber points out that "I think you're supposed to use the tool to precisely measure the circumference of your wrist, not to simulate the circumference of what you think would be a comfortable watch band," and he believes this may be the result of much of the discontentment about Solo Loop sizing.
The process for this thing is way too complicated, especially right now.
Beyond that, he's probably correct that this was intended as a wrist-measurement tool and that people are (understandably, but probably incorrectly) using this instead to interpolate what they believe a correct band size will be. In short, there's almost certainly a communication failure at work here.
I can confirm that this is true for me. I got a size 7 band that fits perfectly, and I’ve always used the second hole (from tightest) on my sport bands. (44mm)
What a great idea to release a brand new product in 12(?) brand new sizes while stores are closed so that basically no one can try them on either.. Guess the delivery people won't be out of a job anytime soon at least :)
Monday September 21, 2020 3:26 pm PDT by Juli Clover
With the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple introduced two new band options, the Solo Loop and the Braided Solo Loop. These new bands are unique because they have no clasps, buckles, or other fasteners, and instead use a stretch design to allow them to pull onto the wrist over the hand.
Because these bands are not adjustable, Apple sells each one in nine different sizes to make sure each person...
Friday October 16, 2020 7:14 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
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Today we're tracking a pair of deals on the Apple Watch Series 6 that are left over from Amazon's Memorial Day deals this past weekend. To start, you can get the 40mm GPS Apple Watch Series 6 for $329.00, down from $399.00, in the (Product)RED color option. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment,...
Apple today released new Pride Edition versions of the Braided Solo Loop and Nike Sport Loop for the Apple Watch, while a matching Pride Woven watch face will be available in a future software update (likely watchOS 7.5, which is currently in beta).
One interesting tidbit shared in the announcement is that, for the first time, Apple will be including a scannable App Clip code on the...
We're only a few days away from Memorial Day in the United States on Monday, May 31, and numerous retailers have opened up major discounts on Apple products as we head into the long weekend. Below you'll find markdowns on Apple's AirPods, MacBook Pro, Apple Watch, and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may...
Anker today is introducing a new set of gallium nitride (GaN) USB-C chargers that offer fast charging speeds for mobile devices in a design that's smaller than ever. The new Nano II line is available in 30W, 45W, and 65W versions, and Anker says it has improved the chips and internal layout of its chargers to deliver greater efficiency while generating less heat.
The 30-watt charger measures ...
Apple has new band styles for the Apple Watch out today, called the Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop. In the details on each band's store page, Apple points out that these bands are aimed at the Apple Watch Series 4 and later watches.
The reason for this is because these new bands come in eighteen different size options. Apple gives customers a printable tool to find their perfect fit for the ...
Thursday April 15, 2021 7:22 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently announced that it will be hosting a virtual event on Tuesday, April 20, and alongside new products like an iPad Pro with a Mini-LED display, new colors are expected for iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands.
Twitter user "Tommy Boi" recently shared a photo of some of the allegedly new colors, including Cantaloupe, Pistachio, Capri Blue, and Amethyst (from left to right).
The...
Wednesday January 26, 2022 8:56 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Benchmark results have started to surface for MSI's new GE76 Raider, one of the first laptops to be powered by Intel's new 12th-generation Core i9 processor.
Intel previously said that its new high-end Core i9 processor is faster than Apple's M1 Max chip in the 16-inch MacBook Pro and, as noted by Macworld, early Geekbench 5 results do appear to confirm this claim, but there are several...
Tuesday January 25, 2022 3:31 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Dropbox today announced that users who update to macOS 12.3 once that software version becomes available may temporarily encounter issues with opening online-only files in some third-party apps on their Mac.
In a support document and an email to customers, Dropbox said it is actively working on full support for online-only files on macOS 12.3 and will begin rolling out an updated version of...
Apple today announced the Black Unity Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch, as well as a new downloadable watch face, to celebrate Black History Month. Following the launch of the limited edition Black Unity Apple Watch Series 6 and Sport Band in 2021, Apple today launched the Black Unity Braided Solo Loop as part of its celebrations for Black History Month this year.Apple is launching a...
Wednesday January 26, 2022 10:00 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3, the third major updates to the iOS and iPadOS 15 operating systems that were released in September 2021. iOS and iPadOS 15.3 come almost two weeks after the release of iOS and iPadOS 15.2.1, minor bug fix updates.
The iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 updates can be downloaded for free and the software is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in ...
Thursday January 27, 2022 12:08 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple today seeded the first betas of iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4 to developers for testing purposes, adding a slew of new features to the latest iOS operating systems. iOS 15.4 is the biggest update that we've had to iOS 15 to date, and it brings Universal Control, Face ID with a mask, new emojis, and tons more.
Face ID With a Mask
With iOS 15.4, there is now an option to unlock your iPhone...
Wednesday January 26, 2022 6:00 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple is working on a new payments service that will allow iPhones to accept payments directly on device with no additional hardware, reports Bloomberg. Right now, iPhones can accept credit cards with add-ons like the Square Reader, but Apple's new technology will eliminate the need for a third-party product.
Individuals and small businesses will be able to accept payments with the tap of a...
Wednesday January 26, 2022 10:19 am PST by Juli Clover
Apple today released macOS Monterey 12.2, the second major update to the macOS Monterey update that launched in October. macOS Monterey 12.2 comes over a month after the release of the 12.1 update, which brought SharePlay support.
The macOS Monterey 12.2 update can be downloaded on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences. Apple has also...
Apple on January 26 finally released the iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 updates to the public, but unfortunately, these updates are focused more on security fixes than outward-facing changes.
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Beyond that, he's probably correct that this was intended as a wrist-measurement tool and that people are (understandably, but probably incorrectly) using this instead to interpolate what they believe a correct band size will be. In short, there's almost certainly a communication failure at work here.