Future Apple Watches may offer more screen sizes or a display-free model

Apple is reportedly considering a significant rethink of its smartwatch strategy, with future Apple Watch models potentially featuring different screen sizes or even eliminating the display. The company is said to be exploring several approaches as it looks to reshape its wearable line-up and respond to changing consumer preferences.

The reported plans come from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who said Apple has been examining a range of possible designs for a future generation of smartwatches. The company has not yet settled on a specific direction, meaning the eventual changes could look very different from the current Apple Watch family.

Apple explores new directions for its smartwatch line-up

Apple’s existing smartwatch range is expected to continue largely unchanged in the near term. The upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are not expected to introduce a major redesign, with the more substantial changes reportedly still at least a year or two away.

Gurman said Apple is considering several possibilities for its longer-term smartwatch strategy. These include devices with conventional displays in different sizes, as well as products that would operate without a screen. He said Apple is “considering new devices with no displays, as well as different types of screens and various sizes.”

A display-free Apple Watch would represent a significant departure from the company’s current approach. Most Apple Watch models rely heavily on their screens for notifications, health information, apps and interaction. Removing the display could instead place greater emphasis on sensors, audio feedback, connected devices and automated health tracking.

The idea also reflects a broader shift in the wearable technology market. Devices from companies such as Whoop have demonstrated that consumers may be interested in wearables that focus primarily on health and fitness tracking rather than providing a traditional smartwatch experience. Apple could be considering whether a similar approach could attract customers seeking health monitoring without the distractions of a screen.

Apple could expand its range at both ends

The reported changes may extend beyond the watch’s design. Apple is also reportedly considering changes to the size and positioning of its product range, potentially introducing additional models for customers at different price points.

At the premium end, the company could introduce models positioned above its existing Ultra range. Apple currently offers the Apple Watch Ultra as its high-end smartwatch, alongside premium options such as Hermès editions. A further premium model could give Apple another way to target customers seeking more specialised materials, features or designs.

At the other end of the market, Apple could potentially introduce a model priced below the Apple Watch SE. The SE currently serves as the company’s more affordable smartwatch option, offering many of the core Apple Watch functions at a lower price than the flagship models.

Such an expansion could allow Apple to address a wider range of consumers while maintaining its existing products. However, Gurman’s report indicates that the company has not yet committed to a final strategy for its next major smartwatch generation.

The uncertainty means that the concepts currently being considered may not all reach consumers. Apple regularly evaluates multiple product ideas before deciding which ones are commercially viable. As a result, the final product could retain the traditional Apple Watch design while incorporating only some of the ideas being explored internally.

Ceramic cases, new colours and smarter Siri expected

While a major redesign may still be some time away, Apple is reportedly preparing more modest changes to the Apple Watch range in the meantime. Gurman said the company could bring back a ceramic case option in 2026 or 2027.

Ceramic was previously used for premium Apple Watch models, offering a different appearance and finish from the aluminium, stainless steel and titanium options available across various generations. Bringing the material back could provide Apple with another premium design choice as it refreshes its product range.

New colours and watch bands are also expected to form part of Apple’s plans. These changes would allow the company to update the appearance of its watches without requiring a complete redesign of the hardware. Bands in particular remain an important part of the Apple Watch ecosystem, giving customers a relatively simple way to personalise their devices.

Health and fitness capabilities are also expected to receive further attention. Apple has steadily expanded the health-related functions of the Apple Watch, including activity tracking, heart monitoring and other wellness features. Future improvements could strengthen the device’s role as a health and fitness companion while helping Apple distinguish its products from competing wearables.

Another important part of the next-generation experience could be Siri. Apple has been working to revamp its voice assistant, and Gurman predicted that a future Apple Watch will make better use of the redesigned Siri. A more capable assistant could allow users to interact with the watch more naturally, particularly as Apple explores different approaches to displays and device controls.

For now, Apple’s long-term smartwatch plans remain uncertain. The company appears to be evaluating everything from new screen formats and additional sizes to entirely display-free devices. If those experiments eventually become products, the Apple Watch could look considerably different from the smartwatch that consumers know today.