According to Ross Young of DSCC and Jeff Pu of Haitong International Securities, Apple is working on an Apple Watch Series 8 model with a larger display.
In October last year, Young hinted that the Apple Watch Series 8 could be available in three display sizes. In response to a query about this rumor on Twitter claimed Young now says the additional display in the Apple Watch line will be 1.99 inches diagonal. In a letter to investors, analyst Jeff Pu mentioned that Apple supplier Luxshare will be the "sole supplier" for a "high-end" 2-inch diagonal Apple Watch model this year.
Almost 5 percent more display
It seems likely that the 1.99-inch display size given by Young was simply rounded up by Pu. The new display size would offer 0.089 inches more diagonal space than the 45mm Apple Watch Series 7, which is almost five percent more. It's possible that the slightly larger display size is related to the rumored Apple Watch Series 8 redesign with flat bezels. Earlier this year, the leaker known as "ShrimpApplePro," who was the only one to think that the Apple Watch Series 7 would have a rounded design like the Apple Watch Series 6, claimed that Apple was working on a "flat front glass display" for the Apple Watch Series 8.
Apple Watch Series 8: Larger display for the more robust model?
It seems plausible that a flat-edge Apple Watch design, first brought up by Youtuber Jon Prosser in 2021, would feature a slightly larger flat top, which could explain a five percent increase in display size, though this remains speculation. Young and Pu's claims could also line up with rumors about this year's "rugged" Apple Watch model, which is set to join the Apple Watch lineup alongside the other Series 8 models. Flagship Apple Watches have only ever been offered in two sizes, so a third, larger display size could be related to a new, additional Apple Watch "Explorer Edition," especially if that model also offers a new flat-edge design. (Photo by Unsplash / Omar Al-Ghosson)