Next month, Apple should refresh its entire Apple Watch lineup. It also recently introduced the Blood Oxygen feature that was missing from the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 — so if you were someone who depended on that feature, there’s no need to hold back. That begs the question, what’s around the corner for the Apple Watch?
Rumors of the next generation of Apple Watch
In just a few weeks, Apple should launch the Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3. All three models should be available for purchase by the end of September.
All three models this year will be equipped with the new S11 chip, although rumors suggest that they will not offer performance improvements over the S9 and S10 chips. The S11 chip could still be good news for the SE though, as the Apple Watch SE 2 currently packs an S8 chip with older technology. On that note, the Apple Watch SE 3 is expected to focus on cost, and may equip a plastic shell to fit into the lower starting point.
The Apple Watch Ultra is where most of the exciting new features come in. It will reportedly get a bigger display (achieved by thinner bezels, not a bigger chassis) with higher resolution. It should also equip 5G RedCap and Satellite capabilities, increasing the communication capabilities of the Apple Watch.
It should also equip you with a Blood Pressure monitor, although it won’t give you an active reading – instead letting you know if there’s anything to watch out for.
While it is possible that the Apple Watch Series 11 will equip some of these Ultra 3 features, that is not currently rumored. It sounds like this year will be a simple upgrade to Apple’s regular watch model.
Is it worth upgrading now?
In general, if you are someone who is going to buy an Apple Watch Ultra – I would say wait until September. There will be more in store for you, and if you spend top dollar on an Apple Watch, you might get the best.
If you buy a regular Apple Watch or an Apple Watch SE, however – the story changes a bit. Why? Deals. Since the current models of the Apple Watch have been out for a long time, you can save quite a bit compared to the MSRP. If you wait until next month, you’ll be paying full price for the next-generation Apple Watch models.
Right now, you can pick up an Apple Watch SE 2 for just $169. That’s 32% below MSRP, or a full $80 discount. Considering how easy the rumors of the next model are, combined with the fact that the SE 3 is rumored to be plastic – I’d say that’s good.
Similarly, you can pick up a 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 in a stunning Jet Black finish for $329 – a full $100 discount or 23% off the retail price. If you’re in the smaller 42mm size, you can pick it up for $299 (plus $100 off the sale.)
Finish it
Whether you want to upgrade now or not is up to you, but the main point is that Apple Watches are cheaper than you think if you look at stores outside of Apple itself – and you won’t see these prices until at least a few months after the launch of the Series 11 and SE 3.
In case the rumored Apple Watch Ultra 3 doesn’t interest you (although I’d highly recommend you reconsider that) – you can also pick up the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $649, saving $150 compared to the new prices. As mentioned before, all current Apple Watch models now also support the Blood Oxygen feature with a redesigned experience, so there’s less reason to hold back.
What do you think of the upcoming Apple Watch models? Would you consider buying the current one? Let us know in the comments.
My favorite Apple accessory recommendations:
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