Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that the 2024 Apple Watch is unlikely to introduce significant innovative features. According to Kuo, this watch will not include a micro-LED display or blood glucose monitoring in 2024. He anticipates that these features are at least two years away from being integrated into the Apple Watch.
It remains uncertain whether Kuo’s prediction precludes the launch of the rumored “Apple Watch X” in the coming year. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had previously mentioned the possibility of a substantial overhaul with the “Apple Watch X,” set to be released in either 2024 or 2025, coinciding with the device’s tenth anniversary. The original Apple Watch was announced in September 2014 and became available in April 2015.
Kuo’s information provided today is somewhat vague, leaving room for various possibilities and unanswered questions. For instance, Kuo might be referring to the model succeeding the Apple Watch Series 9, while the “Apple Watch X” could potentially be an additional high-end model featuring more significant innovations. This scenario would be similar to the launch of the iPhone X shortly after the release of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in 2017.
Gurman previously mentioned that the “Apple Watch X” might feature a thinner case and potentially a magnetic band attachment system. If this device doesn’t debut until 2025, it could align with the rumored availability of the micro-LED display.
Kuo also noted that Apple Watch shipments are expected to decline to 36-38 million units in 2023, representing a roughly 15% year-over-year decrease. However, he highlighted the potential for increased shipments driven by Apple Watch integration with the forthcoming Vision Pro headset, which could offer a pioneering health management experience.
In summary, Kuo’s insights hint at a conservative approach to innovation in the 2024 Apple Watch, while the potential arrival of the “Apple Watch X” could introduce more significant changes, possibly in 2024 or 2025, marking a decade of the Apple Watch.
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