Apple Watch's next hardware upgrade will arrive alongside a massive software update

      2022 is going to be a pretty big year for the Apple Watch for several reasons, one of the highlights being the upcoming software updates the device will receive. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in his latest Power On newsletter that the Apple Watch is expected to receive a massive software update, including improvements to activity and health tracking.

　　While no specific details were provided, it looks like there will be a lot of good news for the smartwatch on several fronts.

　　Although it is inevitable that watchOS 9 will bring new activity improvements, Apple is also likely to launch new Apple Watch models with this software upgrade, including newly added rugged models and equip the entire series with larger batteries. The company is also believed to be redesigning the appearance of the smartwatch. It is reported that this upgrade has been postponed once and was originally scheduled to be launched in September 2021.

　　People familiar with the matter said on multiple occasions last year that the Apple Watch is expected to get a visual update based on the design of the iPhone 12. Apple wants the Apple Watch to have right-angled edges like smartphones, thus abandoning the curved edges that exist on all models, but the company said nothing about changes to this product line in the second half of last year.

　　It's normal for Apple to want to provide some design consistency across its products, but on the other hand, the idea was ultimately abandoned, seemingly due to the fact that Apple ultimately encountered various design issues that made it more challenging for its suppliers to manufacture the necessary components.

　　It's unclear whether the new design will still be available this year, but if it is, given the mix of a new look, major software updates, and massive hardware upgrades, the next-generation Apple Watch is expected to feel like a brand new smartwatch both in terms of hardware and software.