[\n[Seoul Economy], Apple is expected to further increase the screen size of the basic model of the Apple Watch, which celebrates its 10th anniversary. The screen, which was previously 41mm~45mm, will be expanded up to 49mm, similar to the Apple Watch Ultra. In response to this, Samsung Electronics (005930) is set to unveil the Galaxy Watch 7 series, including the Ultra model with a square bezel, and the Galaxy Ring, at the Unpacked event in Paris, France. As Apple faces challenges with expanding its healthcare features due to patent lawsuits, Samsung Electronics is taking an early step by launching new products to counterattack.
On the 7th (local time), Bloomberg reported, “Both versions of the Apple Watch 10 will have larger screens, making them almost the same size as the Ultra,” and stated, “There are no significant design changes in the Ultra itself.” It is predicted that the Apple Watch 10, set to be released in conjunction with the iPhone 16 series in the second half of the year, will undergo design changes in celebration of its 10th anniversary.
It is uncertain whether the Apple Watch 10 will be released this year. Although the first Apple Watch was announced in 2014, it was not actually released until 2015. Bloomberg reported, “It is unclear whether Apple will brand this year’s model as a commemorative model like the iPhone X or wait until next year for its release.”
However, it is anticipated that there will not be significant design changes for the Apple Watch 10. Firstly, the possibility of applying Apple’s ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) feature ‘Apple Intelligence’ is low. Apple mentioned only the iPhone, iPad, and Mac as targets for applying Apple Intelligence when it was announced, so expectations for it to be implemented on the Apple Watch seem unlikely. Bloomberg stated, “If you are expecting AI features to be implemented on the Apple Watch, you may need to reset your expectations,” and added, “Apple Intelligence is expected to be offered to vision pros but there are no plans to apply the full functionality to the Watch.”
There are also limitations to improving healthcare features. Due to a patent lawsuit loss against the US company Masimo, Apple’s current Apple Watch cannot utilize the blood oxygen saturation measurement feature. Introducing features such as blood pressure measurement, which the Galaxy Watch supports, also poses difficulties. Bloomberg mentioned concerns that “blood pressure measurement tests had lower reliability, and there are worries that it may not function properly in the new Apple Watch 10 design,” adding that “the introduction of blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation measurement functions may not occur until after this year.”
The potential appearance of a new model of the lower-priced Apple Watch SE is considered a positive development. Apple has not released a new version of the Apple Watch SE since 2022. This move is interpreted as a response to Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Watch FE, which was unveiled in June. Bloomberg reported, “Apple seems to be lowering costs to compete with the Galaxy Watch FE, priced at $199, by replacing the existing aluminum casing with plastic,” stating that the Apple Watch SE currently starts at $249.
The Apple Watch 10 is expected to be unveiled around September, when Apple typically announces new iPhone models each year. Samsung Electronics, a challenger in the smartwatch market, is aiming to narrow the gap by launching its products earlier. Samsung Electronics’ Unpacked event to be held in Paris on July 10, ahead of the upcoming Paris Olympics, is not only two months ahead of Apple’s event but also more than a half month earlier than last year’s Unpacked event.
At this Unpacked event, Samsung Electronics will introduce the Galaxy Watch 7 series and the Galaxy Ring. It is expected that the Galaxy Watch 7 series will introduce an ‘Ultra’ model for the first time, featuring a square screen and equipped with the Exynos W1000 chipset, reportedly priced at $700, as reported by Samsung specialized media SamMobile. The Galaxy Ring, which was teased alongside the Galaxy S24 announcement in January, is also expected to be officially released at this event. Local rumors in France suggest a price of 449 euros for the Galaxy Ring.]