Apple is discussing internally the launch of a robust version of its Apple Watch designed for use in “extreme environments”, according to a new report in Bloomberg. The company said it considered a launch later this year, or 2022. If launched, the watch could offer basic functionality similar to the regular Apple Watch, but with a more robust construction, such as a rubberized exterior. The report also notes that Apple is planning new swimming tracking features for its watches.
While the company’s existing watches are already popular for exercise tracking and are water resistant to 50 meters, they are not considered durable enough for extreme sports like water skiing without additional protection. This has enabled other smartwatch companies, such as Suunto and Garmin, to find a foothold in the market with more specialized devices.
According to Bloomberg, Apple considered launching a more robust version of its Apple Watch at least once before, after the launch of the original model in 2015. But the plans never became a consumer device, and there is every chance that the current plans will end. being canceled or delayed. If launched, however, the robust new model will be offered alongside traditional Apple Watch models, similar to the low-cost Apple Watch SE that the company launched last year.
Apple tends to launch new smartwatches in the second half of the year. Like the Apple Watch SE, last year the company launched the Apple Watch Series 6. However, its improvements have been so iterative that we don’t think it would be worth upgrading for anyone who already owns a Series 4 or Series 5 watch. A robust version, however, may offer a much more substantial reason to upgrade.