Hollis Johnson
- Apple may release a new version of the Apple Watch that comes in ceramic and titanium casing options, according to iHelp BR.
- Apple previously sold a premium ceramic version of the Apple Watch, but that model has been discontinued. It would be the first time the company has released a titanium Apple Watch.
- There's a chance Apple could announce the new watches next month, since it's released new Apple Watch upgrades every September since 2016.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Apple may soon launch new Apple Watch models that come in titanium and ceramic casing options, according to a file in the developer beta of Apple's new watch software discovered by iHelp BR.
The software, called watchOS 6, includes animations showing the Apple Watch's setup process. Those animations include references to build materials for Apple Watches that aren't available in Apple's current lineup, such as a 44-millimeter ceramic version and a 44-millimeter titanium version. These materials will be available in the 40-millimeter watch size too, according to the report.
Apple did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
Apple currently offers Apple Watches in aluminum or stainless steel finishes. It previously sold a $1,250 ceramic version branded as the high-end Apple Watch Edition, but has since discontinued it. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with TF International Securities that's well-known for his Apple coverage, has also previously predicted that a new ceramic Apple Watch is likely coming soon, which MacRumors reported.
If Apple is planning to release a titanium Apple Watch, it would be a first for the company. It would also come after Apple launched another titanium-built product, the Apple Card, which began rolling out to small groups of customers in August.
What's unclear, however, is whether these reported new models are intended to be the successor to the Apple Watch Series 4 or just a cosmetic upgrade to the current version. Apple typically releases a new version of the Apple Watch in September alongside its new iPhones each year, but rumors about a 2019 Apple Watch have been fairly slim thus far.
Bloomberg reported in February that Apple is working on sleep tracking for future Apple Watches, but it's unclear if that feature will launch in the fall. Should Apple's tests be successful, sleep tracking could appear on the Apple Watch by 2020, the report says.
If Apple does release a next-generation Apple Watch in September, it will likely have a faster processor and will run watchOS 6.