GoKawiilA Bloomberg report yesterday suggested that we could see a pretty dramatic shake-up in a future Apple Watch lineup.
In particular, it suggested that the company was exploring the possibility of one or more models with a round rather than square form factor …
Most smartwatches are round
While square-faced watches have existed for well over a century, the majority of conventional watches are round, and the same is true of Android smartwatches. For example:
Apple is unusual in opting for a rectangular format, so it’s perhaps not surprising that the company would be considering also offering a circular Apple Watch in future.
There’s an argument for a round Apple Watch
The reason Apple opted for the rectangular form factor is that it allows greater information density. It’s no accident that all of the other screens we use – phones, tablets, laptops, monitors, and so on – are rectangular.
Essentially, the choice comes down to aesthetics versus utility. Some will always prioritise utility, so a rectangular Apple Watch form factor certainly isn’t going away. But others place a very high value on aesthetics, and many people do have a strong preference for round watches, be they conventional or smart.
Additionally, not everyone who wears an Apple Watch needs a lot of information displayed on the screen. There are plenty of arguments for wearing an Apple Watch, even if you don’t often look at the display. For example:
Health and fitness monitoring
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