If you like Apple Watch in ceramic white, pictured, how do you feel about ceramic blue?
September 14 update below. This post was first published on September 12, 2020.
Apple is about to unveil its 2020 Apple Watch models, it looks like from Apple accidentally leaking some details of what’s being announced at its special event scheduled for Tuesday. There may be two models, the Apple Watch Series 6 and a new, more affordable Watch as well.
In the last days, it’s been suggested that we can look forward to a new color for at least one of the Watch models and, perhaps, to a Watch that charges faster than at present.
September 14 update. The eminently reliable tipster, Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities has had something interesting to say about tomorrow’s Apple special event. He confirms what others have said, that the next Apple Watch, Series 6, will look very much like Series 5 (or Series 4, for that matter). Intriguingly, he says a new-design Watch will come, but not until late 2021 at the soonest. Also today, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said that Apple Watch Series 6 will come in the same sizes as Series 5 and that the standout upgrade will be the inclusion of blood oxygen saturation levels. He also says that a lower-priced Watch, nicknamed Apple Watch SE by some, will be unveiled. Kuo, by the way, makes no mention of the cheaper Watch.
On the whole, then, many of the leading tipsters are falling into agreement as to what the contents of the keynote will be, even though there are many details still to be confirmed, such as availability, for instance.
Which brings me to one other item on L0vetodream’s agenda: availability. They say in another tweet, about an unspecified product, “online Sep 15”. In other words, at the keynote, Apple will announce, “and it’s available to order today”. This is possible, but let’s remember it will need watchOS 7 and that’s not available outside public beta, nor do I expect it to be made available on the same day. So, if this is right, I’d say it will not be available for delivery for at least a few days after. Availability next week is more likely than this week. Read on for @L0vetodream’s other prognostications...
Frequently reliable tipster @L0vetodream tweeted, in their characteristically enigmatic way, “the most beautiful color”. The words were accompanied by pictures of an Apple Watch Edition Series 6 in ceramic finish. While Apple Watch Edition was available in two shades, white and gray, in its Series 3 manifestation, in the current Series 5, ceramic only comes in white.
L0vetodream’s three pictures show this Watch on a blue background and, to really drive the point home, surrounded by blue beads. So, they’re saying, a blue ceramic Series 6 is coming, we presume.
This is not impossible – a blue iPhone 12 is also predicted – but it’s a little surprising. Current Apple Watch models are designed to work with pretty much any color without clashing. Can you wear a blue Watch with a brown shirt, for instance? Apple might surprise us. My guess is that if the prediction proves true that it will be a very dark blue.
Oh, and the Apple icon that decorates the invites to this Tuesday’s event is very much dominated by one color. That’s right, blue. Apple often uses its invite icon to tip us off about colors - the shades of the iPhone 11 were all included in the invite to that event last year - so I’d say something blue is coming, for sure.
It would mean there’s a lot of colors to choose from, if previous shades are still available. Currently, there are silver, gold and space gray aluminum Watches, stainless steel Watches that come in stainless steel, gold and space black finishes, a titanium case that also comes in space black titanium as well as white ceramic. Plenty of choices, then.
The second tweet from @L0vetodream is even more enigmatic. It says “quick charge for Apple ( )”. Since there are rumors of Apple Watch, iPad Air, iPad 8th generation and even – though I think this is unlikely – Apple’s AirPower wireless charging pad. So, which does L0vetodream mean?
Well, we can rule one thing out. When asked if they are referring to AirPower, the reply is pretty clear: “no”.
So, @L0vetodream isn't referring to AirPower, then.
Which leaves an iPad or the Watch. Given that we know watchOS 7 includes sleep tracking then fast charging would be a perfect fit for the next Watch.
While the battery life on Apple Watch models has remained pretty constant at a full day, the faster you can recharge it the better, if you are wearing it at night, too.
For sure, Apple will have optimized sleep tracking for each model so it works well, but a faster-charging battery is a pretty attractive benefit to persuade customers to upgrade to the latest model.
Well, we’ll know all the answers in just a couple of days’ time – though if anything else leaks before then, I’ll be covering it.
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