Renders for the Apple Watch X (Series 10) confirm a rumor that has been circulating for some time. Last summer, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said that the Apple Watch X could have a thinner case and a new system for attaching the strap using magnets. The current method of attaching the strap involves sliding the end of the strap into a slot on the top and bottom of the watch. It takes up quite a bit of space inside the chassis, enough to prevent battery life from being extended by adding a larger battery.
Apple Watch X renders posted by @concept_central on X show how the strap would wrap around a “handle” located at the top and bottom of the watch. Since there is no longer a need to cut grooves into the chassis, using the “handle” should leave more room inside the clock module for a larger battery.
Another change we should have seen on the Apple Watch X, which is the use of a microLED display instead of the OLED panel, will no longer happen, although the bezels will be thinner and the OLED panel on the Apple Watch X will be, apparently, brighter and more energy efficient.
A new sensor for measuring blood pressure
There is also speculation that the Apple Watch X will include a new sensor that measures blood pressure, one that will alert users if readings are too high or too low. Additionally, a future Apple Watch model could also offer accurate blood pressure readings with individual systolic and diastolic readings. But for now, Apple will stick to giving its users a warning on the watch if their blood pressure is too high or too low.
It will also be interesting to see if Apple can strike a deal with Masimo to bring the pulse oximeter back to the company’s smartwatches. As you may know, Masimo sued Apple for patent infringement, and a US International Trade Commission judge ruled against the Cupertino company.
The ITC (International Trade Comission) eventually issued an import ban preventing Apple from selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the US with the pulse oximeter equipped. Masimo’s patent expires in 2028, and if Apple doesn’t want to wait until then to bring this feature back to watches sold overseas, it will have to create a new sensor that doesn’t infringe the patent or pay a sum of money to license the one existing.
