Existing bands, straps and accessories for the Apple Watch may not be compatible with this year’s new iteration, according to a rumor from leaker Max Weinbach, who suggests that the Apple Watch Series 7 will use different bands that won’t be compatible with old watches.
The rumor stems from recent reports that suggest the Apple Watch Series 7 will be available in new 41mm & 45mm sizes, replacing the current 40mm and 44mm options. Leaks have offered our first look at what are said to be new bands for the upcoming wearables, showing the new sizes and sparking speculation about the compatibility of older accessories with the new watches.
In a Tweet on Thursday, Max Weinbach said “I’ve heard from an Apple store employee that they’re not getting anymore 40/44mm bands in and expect the new Apple watch to use different bands that won’t be compatible with old watches.”
Image: Apple
It’s of course possible that Apple Stores are simply not restocking Apple Watch bands and straps that have “old” packaging, which will presumably be updated when the Apple Watch Series 7. So far, Apple Watches have all continued to support the accessories that released when the wearable first launched in 2015.
According to reports, Apple and its suppliers are working around the clock after manufacturing issues have caused production of the new wearable to be halted “due to critical challenges in reaching satisfactory production performance,” with sources citing the complexity of the Apple Watch Series 7’s rumored new design as a contributing factor to the unexpected delay.
The Apple Watch Series 7 is said to get a faster processor, improved wireless connectivity, and an updated screen. The new devices are said to feature a flat-edged design similar to that seen with the iPhone 12 Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Pro, with leaker Jon Prosser sharing concepts back in May that was said to be based on a design shown in images obtained from a “very highly trusted source.”