Apple reportedly set to reuse the Apple Watch design in next iteration

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with sticking with a tried and true design – just look at the HTC One series or the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S7 – but with more attractive circular Android Wear watches, the Gear S2, and so many other compelling options, refinement and improvement seems to be the name of the game when it comes to the smartwatch market. Not so for Apple though, at least if recent rumors are to be believed. Reportedly, the Apple Watch 2 will look the same on the outside with internal upgrades only.

Apple Insider reports that “well-connected” KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims an updated Apple Watch is on its way, but that the changes will all take place beneath the surface – making it more of an Apple Watch “s” than an Apple Watch 2.

Kuo claims the Apple Watch 2 will feature “specs improvements with limited changes to form factor design”. This means a better display for the outdoors and larger battery capacity rather than Apple’s trademark “slimming everything down” approach to subsequent generations of its products.

While I have to admit that Android Wear watches haven’t always been beautiful – I’m looking at you, original LG G Watch – at least LG was wise enough to completely redesign that brick at the first possible opportunity. But all is not yet set in stone.

This latest report comes hot on the heels of a previous claim that the Apple Watch 2 would be 20-40% thinner than the original. But with the battery life of the original already one of its biggest weaknesses (other than looking ridiculous), making it any thinner would be extremely detrimental to battery life.

What do you think of the Apple Watch’s design? How does it compare to Android Wear’s current state? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.