Apple Watch Is About To Have a Big Change
All of the latest and greatest leaks
Robert C.
Robert C.
Mar 11 · 3 min read
Render of the Apple Watch Series 7
A Brief History

Towards the end of 2020, we had the release of 2 new Apple Watches for the first time in Apple history. We got the upgraded Apple Watch Series 6 and the Apple Watch SE. These have been out for a while now and sales show that most people are going for the SE, as the extra features on the Series 6 don’t warrant the extra price for the WatchOS experience and features you get. The fact that both of these watches share the same design, screen technology, and even battery, makes the Series 6 look even less convincible.

The good news is the Apple Watch Series 7 looks to have a whole new design with extra features and this lineup is rumored to be the biggest Apple Watch upgrade since the original.
Render of the Apple Watch Series 7

Credible analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple Watch 7 will have a significant form factor design change.

Kuo speculates that a “significant form factor design change would come with new Apple Watch models in 2021 at the earliest.”

While a new design would be welcome, we hope it doesn’t come at the expense of the support of older bands that are compatible with every current Apple Watch.

Looking at the newer iPhones and iPads, we can expect the redesign to feature this squared-off edge design that gives the watch a boxier feel. This would separate Apple’s smartwatch from any other smartwatch on the market and we know that is what Apple aims to do.

For the release date, Apple has previously only announced Apple Watches alongside the iPhones. However, in 2020 things changed when Apple had two events split off and the Apple Watch got launched alongside new iPads. We presume Apple will go back to one large event if conditions are possible for this year. Still, we expect Apple to release the next version of the Apple Watch either in September or October 2021 as this fits with previous entries.
Render of the Apple Watch Series 7

A report suggests that the Apple Watch 7 might use micro-LED technology for its display. The main advantage of micro-LED is that it should be more power-efficient which means the watch could have better battery life.

Another possible change to the screen is the addition of a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. The current Apple Watch doesn’t have any biometric security and if you take the watch on and off your wrist, you will need to put in a 4 digit pin before using the watch again. Building a scan into the screen would enhance the security here.
Patent by Patently Apple

The other leak is that the fingerprint scanner will go on the main crown. If you look at the patent above ↑, it shows that there will be a digital crown instead of the rotating crown everybody is used to. It demonstrates how you can swipe your finger down the crown to move around the watchOS menu.

This is similar to the classic iPod which had the main ring that was touch-sensitive.

The patent may also be showing that there is a fingerprint scanner on the button just like we have that feature on the latest iPad Air’s power button.

Granted, this is only a patent, and Apple, like other innovative companies, file a lot of patents that may or may not come to fruition. However, this feature does seem very Apple-like.

Since Ming-Chi Kuo is usually on the money with his Apple predictions, at the least we can expect a new design with 2021’s Apple Watch.
Medium