Apple

100%. I have so many bands including the original “Diamond-like” carbon coated black band that I love dearly. Feels like they made the band connectors smart enough to evolve into a new form factor.

as long as the “new” connection is as securely connected to the watch … whatever after 10 years its time to squeeze the customerbase more 🤣

Brother I think you have a band problem… nobody cares about this more than you do

I won't be upset, but I don't think that will happen. I also don't think there will be an "Apple Watch X" as opposed to an S10 and Ultra 3.

Yes🥹

I have accumulated a large band collection. It would make me very unhappy that they would be obsolete. 🙁

I doubt this is going to happen. Even if it does, I won't care that much.

I’m open minded if there is a good reason for it but I don’t see how the current design can be substantially improved upon. It’s both very secure and very easy to switch bands.

Even tho I still have about 15 bands I used on my Series watches, I really only use 3 bands for my Ultra and they are all designed for the Ultra.

Yeah this rumor had me not buy one of the ultra bands for 50% off at target. I plan on getting a new watch next year as I have the 5 currently unless it continues to last me through next year

No

I have only owned one band

Oh no, I won’t be able to use an $8 strap I bought in 2019! How will I ever financially recover from this??

I’ve got a lot of bands. Many through review programs. If the new one had something other than just to ‘wrap you wrist around’ (sensor or something) I’d be happy to start over.

I would, but hopefully someone will have devised some type of bridge to allow for retroactive fitting of the old bands.

Shhhh!!! They’re going to skip the 9th generation again!

I don’t think I’ve ever spent more than £10 for a strap

My S7 can last another year or two. I'll feel less bad about exploring other brands if I can't use the existing bands.

Obviously I will be glad if I won’t be able to use my watch bands

No, after 10 years of band compatibility I think that’s more than enough for an accessory. The Apple Watch innovation can’t be stopped to support the previous bands.

It will be the Lightning vs USB-C debate all over again /s

I’m out of the loop, are they just changing the way the bands connect so existing ones won’t work?

My band from the first Apple Watch fits my Ultra. I'm happy they've lasted that long and look forward to new strap innovations whether they lose existing compatibility or not.

I just hope that we alternative watch wearers (who wear it on the underside of our wrist) can opt for a widescreen orientation.

Yes.

If anything it’s impressive that they’ve kept the same design this long. Change is inevitable though, and the current connector is pretty bulky relative to the size of the device. If they can reduce that and fit in more tech or more battery instead, that’s definitely preferable!

I have 4 bands. I’ll be fine.

I’m doubtful they’ll change it is such a way as to require entirely new bands. I’m skeptical of the magnetic attachment rumors. We already have warnings about magnetic bands and the compass. So now they’ll add magnets directly to the watch? Apple patents and explores a lot of ideas that never come to market.