Apple Watch Series 7 Production Reportedly Delayed Due to Quality Issues [Updated]

Production of the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 has been delayed due to the upcoming watch featuring a "complicated design," according to a report by Nikkei Asia.

Apple Watch 7 Unreleased Feature
According to the report, Apple suppliers began small-scale production of the watch last week, and during which, employees "encountered critical challenges in reaching satisfactory production performance."

Manufacturers of Apple Watch 7, as the device is expected to be called, began small-scale production last week but encountered critical challenges in reaching satisfactory production performance, multiple people familiar with the situation said.

Three sources said the current disappointing production quality could be attributed to the complexity of design, which is significantly different from that of previous generations of the watch, and the assemblers found issues when putting together electronics modules, components and displays.

As a result of the complex design, which is rumored to come in the form of flat-edges and larger displays, Apple suppliers have "temporarily halted" production of the new watch as engineers attempt to "further certify the designs before going into mass production."

The Apple Watch Series 7, according to Nikkei Asia, will come with blood pressure measurement capabilities, an apparent factor in production being halted. Specifically, hardware to enable blood pressure measurements must "meet requirements for water-resistance performance, further increasing the engineering and production challenges."

Apple is widely rumored to be planning an all-digital event for the middle of next month, where the company is expected to announce the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7. Today's report, however, citing sources, says those plans might be impacted due to the production issues. While production of the watch may be experiencing issues, those issues may only result in delayed shipping of the device rather than a delay in its announcement.

For example, Apple suppliers earlier this year were battling with production constraints related to mini-LED displays used in the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro. While the new iPad was announced in April, it didn't begin shipping until later in May due to production issues. A similar scenario may be in play with the Apple Watch Series 7 if today's report is true.

Update 9:42 am: Bloomberg is hearing similar information that the launch is likely to be delayed.

Apple Inc.’s upcoming smartwatch is suffering production snags as manufacturers adjust to a new design, likely leading to delays, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro's Biggest Design Mystery is Finally Solved

Friday September 5, 2025 9:33 am PDT by
Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 17 series in just four days from now, and the biggest design mystery surrounding the Pro models has finally been solved. In a report outlining his expectations for Apple's event next week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the iPhone 17 Pro models will have "a new cutout area on the bottom two-thirds of the phone that doubles as the wireless charging area."...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Coming Next Week: Eight Reasons to Upgrade

Thursday September 4, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for...
iPhone 16 Battery Life Feature

iOS 26's New Battery Life Mode is Limited to These iPhone Models

Wednesday September 3, 2025 1:19 pm PDT by
iOS 26 introduces an Adaptive Power Mode on the iPhone, alongside the existing Low Power Mode. Apple says Adaptive Power Mode can make "performance adjustments" when necessary to extend an iPhone's battery life, including slightly lowering the display brightness, allowing some activities to "take longer," and automatically turning on Low Power Mode when the iPhone's remaining battery life...
apple event september 2025 interactive logo

Everything Apple Plans to Debut Next Week, According to Bloomberg

Friday September 5, 2025 4:57 am PDT by
Four days out from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event on Tuesday, September 9, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has summarized his expectations for what the company will reveal next week. Aside from a couple of new details and the inclusion of some more recent leaks from other sources, much of the following is a recap of Gurman's reports over the last several months: iPhone 17 Large...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...

Top Rated Comments

calstanford Avatar
53 months ago
Small scale only last week? For a roll out in September?
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ericg301 Avatar
53 months ago
i call bs. they only started making these in the last two weeks?

odds are that there are warehouses of these, under lock and key, that have been manufactured since May.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HeavenDynamic Avatar
53 months ago
I don't believe Apple would start mass producing a new product only two weeks before announcing it and even if that was the case, this report would probably mean a launch on time but with limited quantities rather than a delay.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
whoknows2597 Avatar
53 months ago
Sigh. Don’t we hear about production issues a few weeks leading up to the event??? In July we hear about production issues for iPhone, then late August it’s a specific issue which will cause a delay. This happens every year only to find out that things are running smooth before the main event…
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
53 months ago
Limited supply! Hurry hurry, order immediately on launch day!
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
seanmills1020 Avatar
53 months ago
Integrating the James Bond-like laser has been a challenge.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)