We haven’t seen it yet, but the Apple Watch 8 Pro figures to be the lineup’s most complete entry yet. Most of the updates aim squarely at rugged sports and outdoor utility.
What’s an iOS product, a smartwatch, and a top-echelon fitness watch all over? Until sometime soon, nothing. But the highest tier of Apple’s oncoming Watch 8 might fit the bill.
Bloomberg reported last week the company planned to give the watch line a “Pro” upgrade this fall. Along with multiple other rumored tweaks, the inclusion would put the collection’s range-topper on par with other Apple hardware like the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and iPhone Pro.
Speculation didn’t set off fireworks right away. Some said a form factor update would be the most significant change from Watch 7 to Watch 8, which looked scheduled for a September arrival. It did stand to benefit from watchOS 9, which promises substantial improvement in fitness features.
And in line with higher-end componentry that other Apple Pro series equipment showcases, it now looks like Watch 8 Pro — whatever it’s called because it’s still unannounced — will change the Apple Watch game.
The pro features will include, per Bloomberg:
- a bigger and more shatter-resistant display
- upgraded hiking and swim tracking
- longer battery life
- a heftier, rugged case made from some non-aluminum metal material
Bloomberg speculated the new material could be titanium. The screen will grow in all dimensions from the current Watch 7, reportedly measuring 2 inches diagonally for 7% more screen size.
Currently, there’s no way to tell whether Watch 8 will measure up to sports watch stalwarts like Garmin or Suunto. There’s no word on whether Apple will improve the GPS capability, where GearJunkie found the Watch 7 lagged behind the field.
