Earlier this week, Apple began shipping its newest version of Satisfaction band for Apple Watch. The annual installment now involves its seventh yr, delivering only a single new addition to the gathering. This yr bringing a larger emphasis on commemorating the month, the 2023 Satisfaction Band actually celebrates Queer pleasure with a becoming confetti design. Now we’re taking a hands-on take a look at the brand new providing.
A better take a look at 2023’s Apple Watch Satisfaction Band
Yearly since again in 2017 when Apple first started delivery the themed Apple Watch bands for the primary time, the corporate has appeared simply earlier than June to debut a brand new, colourful addition to your wearable. For 2023, Apple is again with considered one of its more fun additions to the gathering that basically highlights the celebration side of Satisfaction Month.
Proper out of the field, and Apple is making use of the standard polish you’d count on. The theming in fact lands on the Apple Watch Band itself, however the firm is carrying that over to the precise packaging it ships in, too. The very very first thing on the minimalistic white field that you just’re greeted by upon taking out the contents is a rainbow Apple emblem that enhances the precise product fairly nicely. Go away it to Apple to go all out, although that’s nothing all too new from an organization who has been displaying everybody else the way it’s finished on the Satisfaction Month entrance for the higher a part of a decade now.
Design
Liberating the Apple Watch Band from its recycled packaging showcases the brilliant new entry into the gathering. It in fact has the identical rainbow aesthetic that involves thoughts if you consider Satisfaction and the June celebration, however does combine up the precise implementation of that.
For the primary time in a few years, Apple can be returning again to its basic silicone band. The previous two years have seen the corporate give attention to the material facet of its lineup. Now we’re again to the unique strap that received consumers over from the early days of Apple Watch, delivering that anticipated premium and rubbery construct that’s as soon as once more taking the highlight.
Shade
Additionally mixing issues up from earlier years, Apple is delivering a way more enjoyable tackle the entire Satisfaction aesthetic for 2023. The brand new Apple Watch band in fact is roofed with rainbows, however in a means that’s hardly as simplistic as earlier iterations. Final yr noticed two of the Sport Loop bands hit the scene with pretty simple designs that wrapped the band in a single rainbow.
However now that goes out the window in favor of a design that’s impressed by confetti. The pure white band is sprinkled with coloration that pops out and pairs with the brand new Apple Watch face.
Actually delivering on the purpose that June is meant to be a celebration of Queer identities, the 2023 Apple Watch Satisfaction Band sports activities a smattering of multi-colored specks. There’s the standard array of colours, with some notable inclusions being the sunshine blue and pink items of confetti representing trans and non-binary of us being joined by brown and black motifs to symbolize the Black and Latin group.
Every part of the Apple Watch band can be getting its personal coloration palette, too. The highest of the strap takes on a extra subdued look with some reds, yellows, and even greens current, whereas the underside begins stepping into the extra vibrant hues. Mixed, the 2 obtain a pleasant gradient that provides a extra distinctive coloration palette than earlier entries into the lineup.
I’d be remiss with out additionally mentioning that on prime of simply releasing the Satisfaction Bands for Apple Watch, the corporate additionally financially helps LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. It’s not the standard deal the place a portion of each order is donated, however Apple does put it’s cash the place it’s mouth is by supporting nonprofits of all styles and sizes together with GLSEN, Equality Federation Institute, Encircle, The Nationwide Middle for Transgender Equality, The Trevor Mission, and different organizations.
Now out there
Out there for each 41 and 45mm Apple Watch fashions, the newest Satisfaction Version band is now out there for buy. It sells for the everyday $49 price ticket that every one of Apple’s silicone bands do, and is suitable with Apple Watch Sequence 8, Apple Watch Extremely, and all previous-generation wearables.
9to5Mac’s Take
In a time the place LGBTQIA rights are as threatened and below assault as they’re, it’s all the time refreshing to see Apple proceed to custom of launching a brand new Satisfaction band. That’s much more the case figuring out that the corporate is placing some monetary help into its curiosity of celebrating Queer tradition.
And whereas different years have very a lot been all about commemorating Satisfaction Month, this yr’s 2023 Apple Watch Band is the taking that sentiment to some time different degree. Celebration actually does really feel like the proper phrase to encapsulate this yr’s debut. It goes hand in hand with all issues confetti, and actually looks like the proper be aware for Apple to be hitting.
Queer pleasure is as a lot of an act of resistance as ever, and the brand new band leans into that way over we’ve seen up to now. I’ve been shopping for Apple’s Satisfaction bands since I got here out years in the past, and this actually does really feel like the primary one which places celebration on the forefront of its design.
You possibly can order yours today from Apple’s website for $49.
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