2019 Apple Watch: New Ceramic Casing, ECG Support for More Countries

In his wide-ranging research note today touching on Apple's product releases for 2019, Ming-Chi Kuo provided a glimpse at upcoming AirPods, iPads, iPhones, displays and MacBook Pros. Regarding the Apple Watch, however, he had only a brief mention:

ECG supports developed for additional countries. New ceramic casing design added.

Expanding Apple Watch ECG support to other countries is not particularly revealing. Apple has been working to expand access since its launch but regulations may hold up its acceptance in many countries.

applewatchedition 3
A new "ceramic casing design" is the more intriguing rumor. With the Apple Watch Series 2, Apple introduced "Edition" models that were made from ceramic priced starting at $1,299, which it continued offering when the Series 3 Apple Watches were announced. Apple discontinued the Edition models in 2018 with the Series 4 release. Current Apple Watch models do have a ceramic back, but this rumor opens the possibility for Apple to revisit a new high end ceramic model in 2019.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

19SK91 Avatar
75 months ago
I hope that means that there‘ll be no series 5 but only new casing options because it would really suck if ECG outside the US would be series 5 exclusive.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
martyjmclean Avatar
75 months ago
Apple needs to add ECG to Series 4 outside the US first before worrying about the Series 5.
Maybe they can start with their nextdoor neighbour. ('https://twitter.com/govcanhealth/status/1088807132986859520?s=21')
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pepe4life Avatar
75 months ago
I hope that means that there‘ll be no series 5 but only new casing options because it would really suck if ECG outside the US would be series 5 exclusive.
If they only allow ECG in other countries on series 5, that would be the ultimate d!ck move
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alphaod Avatar
75 months ago
After owning two ceramic Apple Watches and how they’re basically impossible to resell I don’t think I want another. I had so much trouble selling my Series 3 ceramic that I gave it to my dad instead. The ceramic finish was also very difficult to keep clean. Seemed that a simple wipe didn’t remove sweat marks instead require firm rubbing whereas now with the stainless steel Series 4 it’s very easy to clean with a cloth or sometimes a shirt.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Applebot1 Avatar
75 months ago
When ECG gets through each countries regulations, then it will be activated.

If the rumours about non-evasive glucose monitoring becomes reality; will be a game changer.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SethBoy Avatar
75 months ago
It won't happen. The reason why ECG is not approved outside the US has nothing to do with the technology used but rather to do with different rules and regulations on other countries. It is similar to Apple Pay. Apple needs to work with these countries to approve ECG.
I checked with my country's regulator which confirmed that no application was made by Apple.

Same situation as Canada: https://9to5mac.com/2018/12/11/apple-watch-ecg-canada/

It is all on Apple if they haven't even bothered applying
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)