The End of an Era? Apple May Discontinue Leather Bands for Apple Watch Series 9

Hello, Apple Watch aficionados and wearable tech junkies! 🍏⌚ If you've been eyeing those chic leather bands for the Apple Watch, you might want to snag one while you can. According to a new report by Bloomberg's very own Mark Gurman, Apple could be saying goodbye to leather bands with the upcoming Series 9 models.

So, here's the tea. Mark Gurman, who has a pretty solid track record when it comes to Apple leaks, initially mentioned the likelihood of Apple moving away from leather bands. He questioned how this would affect Apple's high-end Hermes partnership, stating it was "unclear."

But wait—there's more! Gurman later revised that assumption, sharing some really spicy insider info. It seems Apple has been holding a firesale on Hermes leather bands, selling them at a staggering 90% off to employees. That's an $850 Apple-Hermes band for just $85, folks!

Out with the Old, In with the New?

Besides the Hermes leather bands, Gurman also notes that several other accessories, including many Solo Loop bands in outgoing colors and the MagSafe charging dock, are being sold at deep discounts. The internal deal is still ongoing, but everything is already out of stock—talk about a clear sign of inventory clearing!

What Does This Mean for the Apple-Hermes Partnership? 

Gurman's initial assumption seemed to leave the fate of the Hermes partnership in question, and it still kind of does. After all, if leather bands are potentially going out of style (at least in Apple's world), what happens to the super-posh Hermes variants? As of now, it's all very hush-hush, and we'll have to wait for an official announcement.

Why Could Apple Be Moving Away from Leather? 

While the report doesn't explicitly state why Apple may be ditching leather, it's worth speculating. Could it be an environmental move? Apple has been pretty committed to sustainability lately. Or perhaps they're planning to introduce a new, innovative material that'll make us forget leather ever existed? Only time will tell.

Final Thoughts

While these rumors are yet to be confirmed, the idea of Apple transitioning away from leather bands could signal a new era for Apple Watch accessories. And whether you're a fan of the leather bands or excited to see what's next, this is a development worth keeping an eye on.