You might need to buy new bands for your Apple Watch Pro although your existing ones could work even if they don’t fit perfectly and look natural.
- What’s happening? A leaker believes Apple’s upcoming rugged watch, tentatively named “Apple Watch Pro,” might make people buy new straps because their older Apple Watch bands apparently won’t work. But as it turns out, existing bands might work with the new watch—with a slight caveat.
- Why care? Because with the upcoming Apple Watch Pro, you might need to purchase new bands if those you already have won’t fit perfectly or loonicely.
- What to do? You still have your old watch bands, no?
Will you need to buy new bands for Apple Watch Pro?
MacRumors has found a post on the Chinese social media Weibo from user “UnclePan” claiming that Apple’s rugged watch may not provide 100 percent band compatibility due to its design. The so-called Apple Watch Pro will be a large watch on your wrist with a 48mm screen and a hardened chassis made out of titanium.
Its square shape may require a wider band, meaning your existing Apple Watch bands may be incompatible with the upcoming Apple Watch Pro.
To date, all Apple Watch bands are compatible with all models.
So does that mean that a rugged Apple Watch will render your existing bands obsolete? Depends on how you look at it. If you don’t mind an imperfect fit, then you’ll be better off reusing your existing bands, at least in the beginning.
But if Apple chooses to release bands made specifically for its rugged watch, then it’s pretty safe to assume that Pro bands won’t work with older watches.
An imperfect fit
While “UnclePan” has a history of accurate leaks, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has a lot better track record and he’s saying that the older band will work with the new watch but the fit might not be as perfect.
“I believe the Apple Watch Pro will support older bands—though maybe they won’t fit as well or look as seamless given the size of the new watch,” reads Mark’s Twitter.
I believe the Apple Watch Pro will support older bands — though maybe they won’t fit as well or look as seamless given the size of the new watch.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 29, 2022
A rugged Apple Watch should be aimed at extreme athletes, bikers and the like because it will feature a hardened shell made from a more durable formulation of titanium. Rumors also point to an almost flat Apple Watch Pro display, improved battery life, a body temperature sensor and other perks.
When will Apple Watch Pro launch?
Apple is holding its “Far Out” event on September 7 to unveil the iPhone 14. New watches usually get some love at iPhone events, meaning we should learn about the Apple Watch Series 8 family, the next Apple Watch SE and the aforementioned Apple Watch Pro during the keynote, which starts at 10am PT / 1pm ET.
Apple’s pre-taped presentation will be broadcast via the Apple Events micro-site, YouTube and the TV app. Read: 17 tips for how to secure your iPhone