Corey Gaskin
Apple is “considering” releasing a new model of Apple Watch with a rugged design that aims to protect the device “in more remote environments,” according to a new report.
Referring to “people familiar with the matter,” Mark Gurman at Bloomberg writes that Apple has been exploring the idea of introducing a rugged Apple Watch for years – since the original Apple Watch was launched in 2015 at least.
The design would be aimed at athletes, hikers, and others who may spend time in situations where the standard Apple Watch is not designed to survive.
If Apple moves forward with the plan, Bloomberg sources say the new model could arrive as early as this year or next. The company currently calls it the “Explorer Edition” of the Apple Watch on the inside, but that name is not final.
In any case, it would be paired with the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE (or its successors) in Apple’s online store. The report does not go into detail about the materials or design except to compare the type of protection the Guard will have with those seen in Casio G-SHOCK watches. The report states that the device will have a “rubberized exterior.”
Many of Apple’s competitors in the wearables space have achieved strong sales with smartwatches designed to be durable in outdoor environments. Apple doesn’t offer a similar device, although the standard Apple Watch is waterproof and dustproof, to some extent.
Apple’s wearables industry – which includes not only the Guardian but also AirPods (and future-proof mixed glasses) – is one of the company’s fastest-growing sectors. Over the past few years, the company has continued to grow wearables and services revenue to reduce iPhone sales, although these devices are typically used. designed to rely on iPhone. However, last year saw iPhone sales growth slightly better.