New Apple Watch, AirPods on the way, can Apple's wearable devices regain its glory

Apple (AAPL.US) will hold its fall event on September 10 at 1:00 a.m. Beijing time. The market's focus will undoubtedly be on the iPhone 16 series, but the significant update to wearables is also worth paying attention to. Apple Watch and AirPods will receive significant updates at the event, according to Mark Gurman, a well-known Apple leaker. The three versions of Apple Watch - SE, standard Series, and Ultra - will all be upgraded. The two entry-level AirPods models will also receive their biggest update ever. Apple has not launched new products, putting pressure on the sales of its wearable devices, which include home products and accessories. Analysts expect the segment's revenue to decline for the second consecutive year in the fiscal year ending September 2024, but it is expected to rebound in 2025, with a 6.2% increase to $39.5 billion. Two years ago, Apple released its first Ultra series Apple Watch - a larger and more premium smartwatch - which raised the overall average selling price of the series. The company also launched another high-end product, the second-generation AirPods Pro, in the same year. But last year, Apple did not launch new AirPods, only making a minor upgrade to Apple Watch, which put pressure on the segment's revenue growth year-on-year. That's why the fall event is a crucial moment for Apple's wearable devices business. Gurman said the Apple Watch Series 10 will have a noticeable design upgrade, with a larger display and thinner body. The entry-level AirPods will also be redesigned and include a version with active noise cancellation - a feature previously only available on AirPods Pro. By supporting more affordable AirPods, Apple will be able to attract more new customers. Similarly, the company is planning to launch an improved entry-level Apple Watch SE (currently priced at $230). At the same time, the new momentum of Apple Watch and AirPods will help offset the slowdown in other products. The new Vision Pro headset is also part of the wearable devices segment, but it has not been a hot product since its launch in February this year. The category also includes Apple TV set-top boxes, HomePod speakers, and Beats headphones.