Apple Watch Redesign May Drop $500 Band Compatibility for Slimmer Case
Updated
Updated · 9to5Mac · Jul 1
Apple Watch Redesign May Drop $500 Band Compatibility for Slimmer Case
3 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · Jul 1
Summary
A new claim says Apple’s long-rumored Apple Watch redesign could arrive this year and may no longer support existing bands.
The reported change is tied to a thinner case: the current slide-in locking system uses significant internal space that could instead go to a larger battery or other components.
A magnetic attachment is one option under consideration, though earlier reporting did not say Apple had definitively chosen that system.
The shift would hit owners who have invested heavily in bands, including premium Apple and Hermès options priced near $500.
The redesign has been rumored since 2023, with earlier expectations pointing to a 2024 or 2025 debut.