Why The Apple Watch Is Square

When Apple released the Apple Watch in 2015, many people expected it to have a round display. Not only because traditional watches feature circular faces, but also because the previously released smartwatches like the Moto 360 had round displays. But Apple chose the rectangular form factor instead. And they had a couple reasons why.

[djalice]

I think the question should be 'why are mechanical watches generally round?'. The hands rotate around a central axis which dictates a round shape. On a digital watch with a display for content, it's the display which dictates the shape and that is a rectangle.

[chrissolace]

Also the side benefit of becoming more of an iconic design.

[Raysierer]

I thought that the main reason would be that with a round shape there would be much less room for internal components. Might also be a reason why this shape is better, right?

[MetalJesusRocks]

I saw the Pixel Watch announcement this week, and while a round watch looks appealing, it doesn’t make much sense because of all the reasons you listed. I rarely just use my Apple Watch for time. It’s for messages, email, notifications, fitness, music, podcasts, etc… all benefiting from a more square display.

[simsimw]

Hey Greg, I’d love to see more deep apple lore. As someone pretty tech savvy, I know why my Apple Watch ejects water and why my iPhone has a silent switch. There are a lot of apple topics that I’d like you to explain, as you’re the only person on youtube that can explain apple’s decisions so precisely.
Here are videos I want to see:


Why the iPhone has a 12 MP camera

The history of Hackintosh

Why the 2015-2017 MacBook failed

The history of the apple keyboard/mouse

Apple Before Steve jobs return

Why apple created the Mac App Store

[tecialist]

Because it’s the best way to show text information! You won’t believe how much text is cut off in a circular display

[DoctorNemmo]

I find the round watches more aesthetically pleasing. Also, the interface in the Samsung watches is pretty neat and uses the circular area quite cleverly.

[yashas]

I really like round dial, it feels more premium n classy

[vimalramachandran]

But, the round design of Galaxy watches enables a rotary bezel that's the most efficient way of navigating the interface. Apple can only include a separate knob because of their square design.

[queermix]

We think they're like watches when we think of circular displays but they're *smartwatches* and as such, they need to be perceived that way. Rectangular/squircular display all the way!

[Maple]

Forgot the massive fact that this makes it so apple watches are easily identifiable, apple is very branding focused, making it easy to tell people use apple products

[PfropfNo]

When I got my first Apple Watch a few months back, I thought it’s a pity apple doesn’t offer a round watch. Because from the aesthetics a round watch is far more appealing. But after this video I think it totally makes sense.
I overestimated the possibilities of reformatting.

[dgm]

Now I understand... I never liked the square screen but I know that those with a round screen, like mine, have all the content well distributed...

[YerStewpid]

I don't know how you could do ANYTHING on a circular watch. It seems like it'd be annoying for people who have eyesight problems and need it to be zoomed in, like me.

[Trut]

That round watch in the thumbnail looked so good. That’s what I wanted, but I understand the rational for not going that route.

[pradeepmagan]

It’s a shame they should have offered round watch as well

[vakama]

Okay, but what's stopping them from finding a way to develop a UI that takes advantage of the circular display without compromising on the user experience? I personally would like a round apple watch because the form factor as well as the functionality would be really cool. I definitely can see that maybe there are some things that could be lost in the translation from a rectangular display UI to a circular one, but I'd like for them to try.

[antador]

I’m so happy Apple went with the square design, after owning a Apple Watch since the gen 1 I hate the look of the round Watch, I’m so used to the square design and love it

[demonslayer]

Because it's easy to shape square watch than round watch! Facts! That's why round watch look more elegant & more pleasant in the eye compared to square/rectangular watch.

[RTOF]

New Apple explained upload let's go