A major update to the Apple Watch might be coming later this year - here's what we're expecting

According to 9to5Mac, Kuo predicts the new Apple Watch will have a "more trendy form factor design."

Whether that means a total design overhaul or subtle updates, it seems as though changes are finally being made to the Apple Watch's design. The watch hasn't seen a major design change since its launch, so an update is long overdue.

Apple filed patents last year that hint they're at least considering a round watch face. That said, it's more likely Apple will stick with its signature rectangular design.

The Apple Watch Series 4 will have a screen that's 15% larger than its predecessors, according to Kuo.

There's no word on whether the size of the screen will affect the size of the watch itself. Apple may take a similar route as the iPhone X by increasing the screen size while shrinking the bezels, or borders around the display, which allows for a bigger screen on a smaller device.

Right now, the Apple Watch comes in two sizes: 38 mm and 42 mm.

The Apple Watch Series 4 will have better battery life than it's predecessors, according to Kuo.

While he didn't specify how much better, Apple says the Apple Watch Series 3 gets 18 hours of battery life.

Compared to watches like the Fitbit Versa and Garmin Vivoactive — which get four days and seven days, respectively — Apple Watch has a lot of room for improvement when it comes to battery life.

According to Kuo, the Apple Watch Series 4 will have upgraded health-tracking sensors.

As of now, it's not clear exactly what type of sensors will be included, but Apple has hinted in the past that it would like to add more health-monitoring features to the Apple Watch.

Last September, the company announced it partnered with Stanford University for a program called the Apple Heart study, which would monitor Apple Watch users for irregularities in their heart rates that could be symptoms of a heart condition.

And last December, Bloomberg reported that Apple was working on new technology for the Apple Watch that would let the device monitor a wearer's heart similar to a clinical-grade electrocardiogram.

There have also been reports that Apple is working on a noninvasive glucose monitor for the watch, but that technology is likely years away, according to a report from The New York Times.

Adding highly advanced sensors to the watch would likely require FDA approval. Apple CEO Tim Cook has specifically said in the past that he doesn't want "to put the watch through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) process."