A new Pride version of the Apple Watch Series 7 is rumored to arrive as soon as this week.
The Pride-themed Apple Watch displays have allegedly arrived at Apple Stores, indicating an imminent release.
In a tweet, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman stated that the new Pride version of the Apple Watch should be launching "fairly imminently," with the actual new bands arriving later this week.
New Pride version of the Apple Watch should be launching fairly imminently. Marketing materials and updated Watch tables have started arriving at retail stores — for placement next week. Actual new bands should start arriving later this week.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 23, 2022
Apple Releases Special Edition Watch and Bands To Honor Pride Month
Since 2018, to celebrate Pride Month, Apple has introduced new special Apple Watch bands. While the company has no statement yet on new Pride band coming soon, a new report from Gurman suggests that there's a new Pride version of the Apple Watch Series 7 coming soon, as per 9to5Mac.
In the last two years, Apple usually announced the new Pride bands on May 17, when the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is celebrated. But this year is different as the company hasn't announced a new Pride band in the week of May 17.
However, according to Gurman, the launch of a new Pride version of the Apple Watch is "fairly imminently." It appears that in addition to the new watch bands, Apple will also release a special Pride edition of the Apple Watch Series 7.
This isn't the first time Apple has introduced a special edition Apple Watch.
The company launched the limited edition "Black Unity" Apple Watch Series 6 in 2021. Although the Black Unity band was available separately, there was a special Apple Watch with "Black Unity" engraved, as per 9to5Mac.
In a tweet, Gurman's said that the updated marketing materials have already been sent to Apple Stores with images of the new Pride edition Apple Watch.
He also noted that new Pride bands will also be available in stores, but those will arrive "later this week."
They were able to independently confirm that there will be a new watch face available in watch OS 8.6 and later.
Rainbow-Colored Bands Soon to Be Available in Apple Stores
Since 2016, Apple has been releasing Pride-colored bands. Apple usually announces the new colorways, and corresponding watch faces, a couple of weeks ahead of Pride month, according to Apple Insider.
In fact, the company launched a rainbow version of the Sport Loop alongside new Pride watch faces in 2019.
Meanwhile, the 2020 edition included two Sport Bands in the collection, one of which was developed in partnership with Nike.
In 2021, a braided Solo Loop featuring the expanded colors of newer Pride flags joined a Nike Sport Loop alongside new watch faces. This costs $99.
There's also a Pride Edition Nike Sport Loop that costs $49. As of writing, it's unclear whether Apple will update both watch bands.
Apple's Pride bands are available exclusively in the Apple Store but, you can find special offers for other Apple Watch bands on Amazon.
Related Article: New Apple Watch Series 7: Design, Specs, Health and Security Feature Upgrades, and More
