Apple is seriously considering wearable designs that would break from its signature rounded rectangle look, including a screenless fitness tracker meant to compete more directly with devices like the WHOOP Band 5, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, as summarized in a report this week. The plans remain early and non-concrete, with the company also discussing round smartwatches and additional premium offerings beyond the Apple Watch Ultra.
The exploration marks a shift after more than a decade of iterative Apple Watch updates, with the company now considering new shapes and price points for its wearable lineup. Screenless trackers are already a crowded field, with options from Fitbit, Amazfit, Garmin, and smart rings from Oura and Samsung competing in the space.
Don't expect any new wearable categories at Apple's September hardware event, however. The screenless concept is still in early-stage planning, and the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 expected next month are likely to be standard annual updates to the established formula.
