Next Apple Watch Said to Use Material Allowing for Thinner Logic Board

At least one next-generation Apple Watch model will start using resin-coated copper, according to supply chain sources cited by Taiwanese website DigiTimes.

s9 chip apple watch
As the name implies, resin-coated copper is a thin layer of copper foil coated with a resin, such as an epoxy. While adoption of this material would offer many benefits for a future Apple Watch's logic board, such as improved durability and water resistance, a key advantage is that it would allow for a thinner logic board, which in turn would provide additional internal space for other components and sensors in the Apple Watch.

Any extra space that can be freed up in the Apple Watch is extremely valuable, as Apple continues to add health features to the device. The next Apple Watch models due later this year are rumored to feature blood pressure sensing, for example, and Apple is reportedly working on non-invasive blood glucose monitoring as a long-term project.

There is still uncertainty surrounding the next Apple Watch lineup, as it is unclear if the redesigned "Apple Watch X" will be launching this year or next year. In addition, it was rumored that there might not be an Apple Watch Ultra 3 this year. A new Apple Watch SE is likely this year if Apple sticks to a two-year refresh cycle for that model.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo last year said iPhone 17 Pro models also might adopt resin-coated copper for the logic board next year, so this is a change that might extend to multiple devices in Apple's lineup over the next few years.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

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Top Rated Comments

jz0309 Avatar
19 months ago
as long as new health sensors are added, all good and great.
If instead we're getting more "AI" stuff, no thank you
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rjp1 Avatar
19 months ago

as long as new health sensors are added, all good and great.
If instead we're getting more "AI" stuff, no thank you
Best we can do is take away a sensor
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coffeemilktea Avatar
19 months ago
How about a thinner logic board AND a larger battery? Sounds like a winning combo to me. :cool:
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
terrapin_nation Avatar
19 months ago
Make an Apple Watch Air with reduced functionality but half the thickness of the current watch and I will update from my AW4. There is no reason to upgrade atm.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bodhisattva Avatar
19 months ago

When I started reading this post, I was sure the material was going to be Liquid Metal
With the push to AI, if they did mention Liquid Metal, I could only hope the manufacturing company would be called Cyberdyne Systems!

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coachgq Avatar
19 months ago

Make an Apple Watch Air with reduced functionality but half the thickness of the current watch and I will update from my AW4. There is no reason to upgrade atm.
Fast charging was why I upgraded from the 4 to the 7. I sleep with my watch on, more for the alarm to not wake my wife, but the sleep data is neat too. Being able to charge for 15 minutes to get enough to get through a workout and a workday after sleeping is really nice. If you charge all night, it’s not an issue.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)