Apple plans to radically redesign the Apple Watch

Apple may be preparing to give its Apple Watch smartwatches the most significant redesign in years, but it appears the company is thinking much further ahead than this year’s models.

According to Bloomberg’s weekly technology newsletter, published on Sunday, Apple is considering a broader restructuring of its smartwatch lineup, with plans extending through 2027 and possibly 2028.

Apple is looking beyond the incremental upgrades that have characterized the Apple Watch in recent years, according to a report cited by Digital Trends.

The company is exploring different screen sizes and types, and even screenless models, as part of its effort to rethink what the Apple Watch is and what it should be.

This timing is particularly significant because Apple Watch models have followed a remarkably consistent design formula. Apple launched the original model more than a decade ago with a design and user interface that established the core features for all subsequent versions.

Since then, the company has focused heavily on improving durability, health tracking, performance, and battery life, rather than making fundamental changes to the product.

According to Bloomberg, the upcoming Series 12 and Ultra 4 are expected to receive more traditional improvements, including a new processor, enhanced software features, and possibly a new case design option.

The more intriguing changes, however, appear to be under consideration for later generations. Apple’s industrial design team is exploring various approaches to the smartwatch’s form factor, including screens with different shapes and possibly even screenless devices.

The company is also seeking ways to make the watch more useful for people who spend more time exercising, as fitness-focused wearable devices continue to gain popularity.

This roadmap could span several generations, with Apple planning to release versions in 2027, followed by further releases in 2028.