Apple Watch Series 7 Hero Underwater AppleSource: Apple

What you need to know

  • A second report says Apple has three watches on the way in 2022.
  • Ming-Chi Kuo says we'll get a Series 8, SE, and 'Extreme Sports' edition.
  • It follows a similar report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

A new report says Apple will replace the Apple Watch Series 7 with a new Series 8 in 2022, alongside a new Apple Watch SE and an all-new 'Extreme Sports' edition of the watch.

In a note seen by iMore Kuo writes:

2H22 new Apple Watch includes Apple Watch 8, new Apple Watch SE and extreme sports versions. Luxshare is the NPI for Apple Watch 8 and extreme sports versions.

The note corroborates previous reports, most recently from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman earlier this week. From the weekend:

According to Mark Gurman, via his Bloomberg Power On newsletter, Apple is ready to give the Apple Watch SE its first refresh since its introduction in 2020. It isn't immediately clear what that will entail, but it should help cement the product's label as perhaps the best Apple Watch for most people. A new Apple Watch Series 8 would likely be the best watch overall, but with a considerably higher asking price.

Gurman again reiterated Apple's plans to release a new rugged version of its watch which he says is sometimes internally referred to as the 'Explorer Edition.' Gurman says it would function like a normal Apple Watch but feature added impact resistance and protection for use in the great outdoors.

If Kuo and Gurman are right (and they usually are), it stands to reason that in the second half of 2022 we'll get three new variants of Apple Watch to replace Apple's current lineup, including a brand new rugged model.

Kuo also reported today that a second-generation Apple VR headset may debut in 2024 and that the iPhone SE is coming in a bigger more powerful format in 2023. He also says that new AirPods Pro will debut at the end of next year.