Apple Watch Series 8 Pro is the logical name for this year’s top-tier model. Apple is reportedly abandoning the Jony Ive-inspired Edition strategy of charging a premium for a better-than-stainless-steel watch with the same guts inside.
Instead, Apple is expected to repurpose the titanium Apple Watch this year as the best-in-class-on-paper model.
Apple skipped the iPhone 9 in favor of the iPhone X (pronounced 10) because it was far more modern than the iPhone 8. (Which looked a lot like the iPhone 6). Apple charged a $300 premium for the more updated product.
The Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 8 Pro (or whatever Apple calls it) sound very similar from a strategic standpoint.
The standard Apple Watch receives a minor year-over-year update. The more technically impressive version produces designs that will take longer to sell for standard prices and profit margins. The Apple Watch appears to be having its iPhone X moment.
A reason for Apple Watch Series 8 Pro
The Apple Watch Series 8 Pro is larger and more clunky. It’s not as stylish as the Apple Watch Series 8 Edition, but it’s also not as expensive.
While Apple’s iPhone 8 and iPhone X strategies were successful, the iPhone XR and iPhone XS naming schemes backfired a year later, prompting Apple to switch to iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.
This emphasizes that the lower-priced model is the mainstream flagship, whereas the more expensive version simply has more features. The price of watch is around $400. The Pro version is about $950.
The Apple Watch Series 8 and Series X are fine for this year, but the pattern suggests the Apple Watch Series 11 and Series 11 Pro for next year. It’s probably best to start with the most cohesive and clear marketing names possible. However, this is Apple, so unexpected names are to be expected.
To read our blog on “Apple Watch Series 7 has More Durable Body and Bigger Display,” click here
