Commentary: Smarter health tracking, an Action button on the non-Ultra models and a refreshed design could go a long way.
Even though the Apple Watch Series 9 is a modest upgrade over the Series 8, Apple’s smartwatch evolved in a big way in 2023. The new widget-centric interface in WatchOS 10 makes it easier to see bits of information at a glance, for instance. And the Series 9’s Double Tap gesture introduces a new means of interacting with the watch, the first such change in years.
But Apple may have big plans in store for next year’s Apple Watch, if a report from Bloomberg turns out to be accurate. Apple could break away from its typical naming convention and call its next smartwatch the Apple Watch X (read as 10) in honor of the device’s 10th anniversary, similar to the iPhone X, according to the report. The so-called Apple Watch X, which may debut in 2024 or 2025, could reportedly have a thinner design, a new mechanism for attaching bands, a microLED screen and blood pressure monitoring, says Bloomberg.
There are plenty of other ways Apple could improve its smartwatch, too. The company could turn its watch into an even smarter and more helpful health assistant with more AI integration. Since Double Tap is relatively new, there’s a lot of opportunity for updates and optimizations that make it more convenient than actually tapping the screen.
Then there are the upgrades I’ve been wanting for years, like longer battery life, workout recovery metrics, more customizable activity goals and additional sleep insights. I still hope to see these improvements arrive either in a new model or through a software update. But here are some additional ways the Apple Watch could evolve in 2024.
