Apple Watch is arguably one of the best smartwatches for most of us. The way it fits into the whole Apple ecosystem, the health tracking features, the watch faces, follow medication, and thousands of other features – it just works. However, there is a niche category of people for whom the Apple Watch may not turn out to be the best option, and yes, I’m talking about athletes and fitness buffs.
While all Apple Watch models boast dustproof and waterproof designs, it’s not really an ideal smartwatch for those who are serious about exercising. The display glass, even the “Sapphire crystal display” on the titanium and stainless steel models, is much fainter than Garmin and Fitbit smartwatches. The overall durability is also much lower.
However, this is not a disadvantage, because Apple Watch is intended for people who do not like extreme sports and who are attracted by its functions, usability and fashion. But according to a new reportApple is working to meet the needs of people who want to use the Apple Watch in extreme conditions as the company plans to release a rugged Apple Watch model later.
While we already know that Apple plans to release three Watch models in 2022 – Series 8, SE 2 and a rugged model – Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has described the features and specifications we can expect from the smartwatch. According to gurmanthe robust model comes with a larger battery, a robust metal housingand a bigger screen to call on the extreme sports athletes†
Starting with the display, gurman says the rugged Apple Watch model will have a “nearly 2-inch display” with 7% more screen area than the largest Apple Watch available today. While the overall shape is expected to remain the same, the larger display will have an improved resolution of 410 by 502 pixels. This screen will also be more “break-resistant” as it is aimed at extreme athletes.
The leaker also believes that the larger display allows the smartwatch to show more information on the display during exercises and workouts. While the report doesn’t reveal what kind of material Apple will use to improve the smartwatch’s durability, it claims the smartwatch will be built with a stronger metal than aluminum.
The rugged Apple Watch model is powered by the same Apple S8 chip that is expected to debut alongside the Series 8 later this year. Previous reports have revealed that the S8 chipset will be nothing but a rebrand of the S7 chipset (which itself was a rebrand of the S6 chip). Another feature that the rugged model will share with the Apple Watch Series 8 is the ability to record the user’s body temperature and detect if he has a fever.
All this will not come cheap. While the report does not state the exact price tag, gurman does say the rugged model will be priced higher than the standard stainless steel model which starts at $699. So you can expect the rugged model’s price to match Garmin’s Epix 2 price, which retails for around $900 today .
The general leaked features and specifications suggest that Apple is developing a worthy competitor that can withstand extreme conditions. Coupled with Apple’s excellent health tracking features (more coming with watchOS 9), premium build quality and excellent user experience, Garmin and Fitbit may have some serious competition on their hands. Would you be interested in buying the rugged Apple Watch model? Let us know in the comments below!