Apple is planning to reinvent the Apple Watch and make some big changes in the near future

Apple is planning to make some big changes in the near future, and some of the ideas being considered could completely change what we think an Apple Watch is.

The company is reportedly exploring everything from round displays to screen-free fitness trackers as it looks to shake up its wearable lineup.

That could mean the familiar square-shaped smartwatch is about to get some serious competition from within Apple’s own ecosystem.

And if the rumors are right, the next generation of Apple Watches could look very different indeed.

Apple is planning some big Apple Watch changes

The Apple Watch is a gadget that has been around for more than a decade, but its basic formula has remained remarkably consistent.

Apple has gradually made the watches thinner, faster and more capable, while adding features such as health monitoring and improved fitness tracking.

However, the fundamental idea has stayed the same: a small rectangular screen strapped to your wrist and now, Apple is reportedly thinking about changing that formula.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s industrial design team is exploring a much broader rethink of its smartwatch lineup.

That could include different screen sizes and shapes, with Apple even considering a circular display for a future model.

A round Apple Watch would be a huge departure from the design language Apple has used since the original model launched in 2015.

It could also help the company appeal to people who prefer the traditional look of a mechanical or luxury watch.

But Apple is apparently thinking beyond changing the shape of the screen.

The company is also exploring a screen-free wearable that could focus entirely on fitness and health tracking, think of something closer to a Whoop-style fitness band than a traditional smartwatch.

A device like this could monitor your activity and health without requiring you to constantly look at a screen.

It could also potentially offer better battery life, while giving Apple a way to compete with the growing number of screen-free fitness trackers and smart rings.

The gadget could get more premium

Apple isn’t just looking at completely new types of wearables.

It is reportedly considering a wider range of Apple Watch models, including cheaper options for people who don’t want to spend big and more premium versions for those who do.

That could give the Apple Watch lineup a much broader range of personalities, rather than simply offering a few different sizes and materials.

Apple could also bring back ceramic as a case material, as the company previously offered ceramic Apple Watches, but the material disappeared from the lineup, making its potential return an interesting throwback.

For anyone hoping to see these radical changes soon, though, there may be a bit of a wait.

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 isn’t expected to deliver the dramatic redesign being discussed.

Instead, it is reportedly set to focus more on performance, health and fitness improvements, with the bigger rethink coming further down the road.

That may actually make sense for Apple, rather than rushing out a completely new design, the company appears to be exploring multiple ideas before deciding what the future of the Apple Watch should look like.

Nothing has been finalized yet, and some of these concepts may never become real products, but with screen-free trackers and smart rings becoming increasingly popular, Apple clearly has plenty of reasons to rethink its approach.

And if Apple really does decide to reinvent the wheel, the next big thing on your wrist might look more like a wheel than an Apple Watch at all.