The Apple Watch could receive its most comprehensive design update in years in 2027, including a new system for attaching the watch bands. A well-known leaker has revived an old rumor that Apple had originally planned to implement for the watch's tenth anniversary. Those planning for the long term should exercise caution when purchasing new watch bands.
While this year's Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to be only a minor update, a significantly larger leap is anticipated for the following year. Weibo leaker Instant Digital, known for his Apple predictions, speaks of a fundamental redesign for the 2027 generation. Apple Watch rumors are rare compared to the flood of information surrounding the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra, which is why such hints receive particular attention.
New tape system with consequences for old accessories
At the heart of this new assessment is the way the wristband will be attached to the case in the future. According to the leaker, this mechanism is set to change – with two consequences. Firstly, this would create more space inside, which could be used for a larger battery. Secondly, existing wristbands might no longer be compatible with a redesigned case.
Instant Digital derives a specific piece of advice from this: Anyone planning to upgrade to a new model in 2027 should hold off on buying additional watch bands for now, as they might not be compatible with the new case. This isn't a concern with this year's model – and the Apple Watch Ultra 4, which is expected to receive a redesign this fall, hasn't been linked to a changed band connector in reports so far.
The long history of the Apple Watch X
The idea of such a redesign isn't new. It stems from rumors of an "Apple Watch X," which Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman covered back in 2023. At the time, it was touted as the biggest overhaul to date for the tenth anniversary, including a new magnetic band system, a thinner case, and a microLED display. None of this came to pass: Apple instead released the Apple Watch Series 10, which retained the existing band system and differed from its predecessor only in minor details. There's strong evidence to suggest that this redesign wasn't canceled, but merely postponed.
What the design pattern suggests
A redesign in 2027 is also supported by the historical rhythm at which Apple has updated the case of the standard Apple Watch. From the first model to the Series 3, the watches shared one design, Series 4 through 6 a second, and Series 7 through 9 a third. The current design arrived with the Apple Watch Series 10. Following this roughly three-year pattern, a new design language would be due with the Apple Watch Series 13 expected in 2027 – precisely the timeframe the leaker is now describing. This year's Series 12, as well as the separately redesigned Ultra 4, would then fall into the final phase of the current design.
A date that has already been postponed several times
Despite its plausibility, caution is advised. The same leaker had previously dated the major redesign to 2028 at the earliest, but now mentions 2027 – proof of how fluid such timelines can be. Instant Digital's accuracy rate is also mixed: some earlier predictions were correct, others not. The real pattern of recent years, however, is that the promised major Apple Watch redesign has been repeatedly postponed. Whether it will actually happen in 2027 will only become clear when more concrete evidence emerges from the supply chain. (Image: Shutterstock / ErickPHOTOPRO)
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