Our clearest look yet at the Apple Watch Series 4
Bigger screen with a higher resolution, thinner bezels all around
Recently leaked photo of the display panel of the Apple Watch Series 4
This means higher resolution images on the slightly bigger display, but it also means that many apps may have to go through rather serious interface changes to accommodate for the change.
Solid-state controls, improved battery life and waterproofing
The Apple Watch Series 4 will likely have solid-state controls that are more receded into the frame
The recently-leaked press render of the Apple Watch Series 4 offers interesting insight about the device's hardware controls – the Digital Crown and the Side button. The crown seems to be more deeply embedded into the body of the watch and its opening seems to be of a different shape. Aside from this, the Side button looks quite a bit flatter and less clicky, if that makes any sense. This actually isn't a solely a design change, but rather the result of Apple moving onto solid-state controls for the Apple Watch Series 4.
Solid-state means that the button doesn't actually press in, but the feeling of pressing it is simulated by Apple's Taptic Engine, much like it is with the home buttons on iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models. As for the Crown, it still physically rotates (thankfully), but the physical gap between it and the device's housing has been eliminated, thus allowing for better, more reliable waterproofing.
The lack of moving parts likely means more room inside the watch, which is needed to accommodate for the larger screen, and the bigger battery that will reportedly power the new Apple Watch.
Compatible with current Apple Watch bands
This is good news for everyone who's looking to upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 4, but wants to hold on to their current straps. That's especially important, considering Apple's official bands are not the cheapest around.
On the other hand, this also likely means no smart straps. Apple was rumored to be looking into smart bands for its future wearables, and was even granted a number of patents, but it seems like this idea won't materialize in 2018. Smart straps could, for example, be used to house different hardware components, such as a secondary battery or a camera, that would add new features to the Apple Watch, without increasing its size. Unfortunately, as this would require special connectors on the device itself, the Apple Watch Series 4 may miss out on this innovative feature. Next year, however, we may finally see the idea come to fruition.
READ MORE: Apple Watch Series 4 rumor review
Disclaimer: The images featured in this material have been made by PhoneArena and are based on preliminary information about the respective device(s), such as, but not limited to, factory CAD blueprints and live photos of the device(s), or accessories thereof. As such, the images found herein may not be fully representative of the final design of the device(s).
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