# Apple Explores Shaking Up Its Smartwatch for a New Era

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-08-09 17:07 UTC · Category: Technology

## Executive Summary
Apple is reportedly exploring a major smartwatch lineup redesign, including potential round screens and a screenless model.

## Intelligence Brief
Recent technology reporting indicates that Apple is considering significant changes to its Apple Watch lineup. According to coverage from Bloomberg.com, Engadget, GSMArena.com, Digital Trends, PhoneArena, Gadgets & Wearables, appleinsider.com, The Next Web, 9to5Mac, and macrumors.com, these potential modifications involve introducing a variety of new screen sizes, a round model, and even a device without a display that functions as a fitness tracker. While insider reports point to these broader redesign concepts currently in progress, coverage notes that the upcoming 2026 Apple Watch upgrade itself may be relatively dull. Outlets such as 9to5Mac, macrumors.com, and Engadget have emphasized the scope of this conceptual revamp, citing insights from insider sources like Gurman.


The coverage highlights several distinct design directions under consideration for future iterations, contrasting the anticipated lack of major immediate changes with the radical ideas being explored for later releases. Additionally, reports from sources like The Next Web point out current gaps in the existing lineup, noting that the device lineup is missing its cheapest model this year as these future redesign discussions unfold. This exploratory phase for Apple's wearable technology addresses ongoing evolution within the smartwatch market, where competitors offer varied form factors and fitness-focused bands. By examining alternatives such as circular displays and screenless fitness bands, the company is looking at ways to reshape its hardware offerings for a new era.


The current coverage contextualizes these potential shifts against a backdrop where immediate product updates may remain modest, while long-term planning aims to redefine how the device looks and operates. Observers and consumers will need to follow ongoing reporting to see how these conceptual designs transition from internal exploration to official product announcements. Since current details stem from insider reports and industry leaks rather than formal corporate statements, coverage does not yet specify exact release dates or confirmation for the round models, varied screen sizes, or the screenless fitness tracker. Future updates from these technology outlets will likely track whether these radical concepts appear in subsequent product generations.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Engadget | Future Apple Watches May Include More Screen Sizes Or Even A Model With No Display | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxNckZOeUo2Z3NBbGpCYnFkblNERnBYeGtVU2d3dGxFZzN6a2NxMDlYZFJmR3oxMEZWc19vYmRrTElac3dSY3BNN09LX2FULWtRWUV1Q2NZMGNCOEI2Q2tKd0hqVzUxb2JaRWpiVnFPdXZPWkRGRDFVVlJzSHBfQXZ4YXB6WXo4UmtyMXJmWGw1dmFOWWtVNEg5Zl93b1VLejl4UWJQWndVTDVsdV9lcnZWeUZuUm93c3Aw?oc=5) |
| GSMArena.com | Gurman: Apple considering a broader redesign of its smartwatch lineup - GSMArena.com news | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxQQy00SDV4bDRCbEVZRjlrTWl1WTlWQkZRV2NfV0pxNEhkaUpsR0g5YlRBTUc0SklHUzYwbS1HWkJ2UmViRjJZcjM3SVFHUVRMRTdiNWJfeEpiclJrdFVJYkhucDZ1RzJfeGh0Q3ROUElUNTV1R0NKSTVoclpSSnZ2ZGM2YTItQ044clpUNk9td2VsT09pSm9sWHpIeWd6UUNZckxqR2tSSXR4NDJw0gGoAUFVX3lxTE1oQ05od1FXZTZja1Z2dzNJck14MDBTNTBSeGhtYzk4SXo2Y1BkeVdrUy1BamNhQWpkYndwZGxGRlc3bXNwbTlYQXFJNUlsQlRjVVZVZVRYNFNjSG9nZjlLR0dhbWNWdVFvZm9PM2VMVjk2YjVnU0lQMW9Eamh1OEFrb0wxR0hfYzNyT0FhZkh2ckhyRWwxNzBiQVNkajBCQWt4cldFR1Z) |
| Digital Trends | Apple going circular could make the Watch better at being a watch | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFBVV95cUxOcTRVT1ZzeHdiOFdfeXd2Y1FDMktKVEg3NndlR083by1WZ1NyM0RGTENhb0N5SnY4eHBxOHI5RG1NTDZIZGstZVdYV3loUHhscjc2eGVTSk1JYXh5RHBRX2hPR0tEMGg1THZqUUk5TndqTmhycW8zaDU1dVFHZmlfMHUwbm1MMW41RUJ3?oc=5) |
| PhoneArena | Insider says the next big Apple Watch may not look like a watch at all | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxQRXh1MHppUk1FU3JzZmhCOVRkWGtqWnYtaUNObkYtRFFiTlpqWnNXWnMxM3hFQXBzUlJ2TGlOeWpfVUZvbGpMUVpUZEJYTTZlOGtJM2stUGJBYU9YM2NKMk95UUlwMTJZeE9fWXJmNG40dTdrc283bHpKV21HQl9qTWtQb3JoZk1WWG9FVDlmQ0NuYm5YUlA1aHVOTTEzYXdTOUpRNlpuRFZCcENiVmhrMw?oc=5) |
| Gadgets & Wearables | Apple might be next with a screenless fitness band | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifkFVX3lxTE9Bay0xU1lLdkpFYWxQQUpVZE53aXUtWmVNMTFHdW4xVF81RmI1d1lMU081dEFlZ05PUDFGUHJpRjRZT28wRFVkcEhvNWNLQlNBWld6cm5SUmdNWGdaV1RjQU9WMV9pSzNLeG9jVUpMNXgyWkYwZkJTcF92d1FwUQ?oc=5) |
| appleinsider.com | 2026 Apple Watch upgrade will be dull, but a big redesign is in progress | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxQTFNwRXpETzVkZmx5RFlQSzFwS243QlhPYTBCNm5BSHVVVkRVdlMzemczd1FySmFaUUNpNjhCMWdaVEtOc1RhaDBXZnFmSW81dnNkYUFjREJ0OW5JdUtCcG93czczdmlhWEloVmhMbTNrYjdPRDN3SDdESVV0TTZ2UV9vMnFIcXdubEhQSDVXTlNpSWROSEJnVkQ2RHNRc2FsYVQwUDBJa3lEZ29JWVpzNXdVWmk?oc=5) |
| The Next Web | Apple's Watch lineup is missing its cheapest model this year | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinwFBVV95cUxOTUctX09qcmpXc0dUTkxPaTJsMVRSUHRsdVUzcFFTaWliSEE2OVhFU1lBcWk1cGZHWmFSTGNDNEdzbV9INmJSVjZ4NVhseW5pNVprOFV5TTVkaGxUai16X1NxY3BBRFZDRnVqblFaZkowSlJ5UmNpOUVFYXpmM0tQT2x3SGwyelowWUhMUnNsVnhxdS1BcXZIR2UwYUo1Sm8?oc=5) |
| 9to5Mac | Apple considers round screens and more radical designs for future Apple Watch revamp | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifEFVX3lxTFBRby1tWGt6ai05MHdoSVZwbVFKWGRWNGdrTGVIalhrSUMtN0xLd005UnpZTTFpN2MzWTk4dk9WaVNVMzNkRkh5MzlFRHVra3JBS0dhcTJkS3NnUUwtZ2dyWjY5UlIwYVpsSU1TYzB6LUxqX3oxbWxuM2FGaDA?oc=5) |
| macrumors.com | Apple Watch Rethink Could See Debut of Round Model, Screenless Fitness Tracker, and More | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiaEFVX3lxTE83YmNzVnhKdlcxeFhiQVVRNjJIQ2FjTHktV05TWE92aFp6VzJhMGpQUzY1eU0wakNNSGc0LWRiZDhEQ0RTYU5PeGQyQ29rajNndmcyR3BvNHY1TnVPY2NuSzZyZU0yYVN0?oc=5) |
| Bloomberg.com | Apple Explores Shaking Up Its Smartwatch for a New Era | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizgFBVV95cUxQYmNGaUxwdTdIcTlOQ1lGUTdvREQ5bDNtekVZcGxFakhST0s2ODNaSFRWbTNnbDFHNVpLUzdDZmtmeHBwQnlwamxnYXhhMGkxTnVrdm9qOGNjbzRIeUw1Ni1nM3h5SXpLc1Zidk8tM0ZDcWxZOTIyVWphei1kdlpKcDh6SjRZMmozWXVTdkcyaW5WNERza1pFenJSWEZSSF90c0czZUZRd1A4dlZDODVEX1Jzd2JVb2xCekZWZ3BfcXJJNHNmTFVzMmc0Vngwdw?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-08-09/apple-explores-shaking-up-its-smartwatch-for-a-new-era*