Starting this fall, your choice of Apple Watch models will double. The single model available today will be joined by a rugged version called the Apple Watch Pro. Yes, “Pro.”
The Apple Watch Ultra isn't JUST for athletes.
Apple has long differentiated its lineups by offering pricier pro-branded versions. Sometimes these are genuinely professional machines, like the Mac Pro or the current 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro. Other times, the Pro moniker seems to exist merely so Apple can charge a premium for nicer features (all the iPhone Pro models) or to convince business buyers that the computer is for them (the current, deeply disappointing 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro). According to an Insider report, the Apple Watch Pro will be a little of both.
"Multisport and adventure watches [are] already [marketed] to professional athletes and experts in aviation and elsewhere. The Pro Apple Watch, however, does not fall into that category, as it will most likely be marketed to a broad range of customers. But just like with their MacBook Pro, some customers will think it's significantly different from the regular version and buy one anyway," marketing expert Jerry Han told Lifewire via email.
The Watch Pro will be aimed at demanding athletes, according to Apple rumor mill Mark Gurman. It will have a larger, sturdier display, longer battery life and be made of something other than the aluminum — Gurman speculates titanium — that Apple has used in its watches in the past, but it could also be stainless steel. In terms of features, the Pro model may get better tracking for walking and swimming, pointing to better sensors on the device.
