Apple Watch leak says a radical smartwatch redesign is coming

If the below Apple Watch Series 8 image looks familiar, that's because it is: we expected it to be the design of the Apple Watch Series 7. In the end, Apple's best smartwatch to date didn't use this flatter design that we'd hoped for, but it now looks like Apple is going to deliver it on at least one version of the Apple Watch Series 8 later this year.

Well, that's according to reliable leaker ShrimpApplePro, who posted on Twitter that "there is a flat front glass display for Apple Watch". However, the leak didn't specify which model it was for or confirm that it's absolutely, definitely coming this year.

The reason I'm talking about multiple models is that this year, Apple is expected to have two versions of its latest smartwatch at the same time: one for mere mortals like me, and a rugged Apple Watch for athletes, extreme sportspeople and people who just really like rugged watches.

Why flat fits with Apple's other kit

We haven't seen the redesign in the flesh yet, but we've seen multiple renders that follow much the same theme: squared-off sides and gently rounded corners like the iMac 24-inch (2021), the 2021 MacBook Pro, the 2022 iPad Air and the iPhone 13. There's no doubt that these different devices all share the same design principles, and the renders of the flat Apple Watch Series 8 fit perfectly among them, with very similar proportions. 

I think it looks great. I really like my Apple Watch Series 7 but it's still rather bulky, especially in its smaller version, and it won't do the Watch any harm to get a design refresh in the same year we'll see the good-looking Google Pixel Watch and the hotly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. The current Apple Watch may be less of a lozenge than before but this is one device I'd prefer to be a little slimmer.