Leaked Information On Apple's New Products Is Proven Wrong, Don't Trust Them Anymore

JAKARTA – Apple's 'California Streaming' event on September 14 is an excellent example of why leaked information can't always be trusted. It doesn't even matter how reliable the source is.

Even when multiple sources share information, and allegedly see the device in question, Apple may do something contrary to this statement. While rumors and leaks can be useful, nothing can be considered true until it's actually announced.

Rumors of an upcoming product often start about a year before the actual launch, and sometimes even earlier. In early September last year, there were rumors of an Apple Watch Series 7 that was just announced this week. Coming from the usually highly reliable Apple analysts, the talk was about a significant change in its form factor. There's also a predictable change coming to the iPhone 13 screen, as well as another cheap iPad update.

The biggest letdown of the rumor mill in recent history, and explained in great detail, is the dramatic change to the design of the Apple Watch Series 7. Apple's new wearable device is said to adopt the look of the iPhone 12, the iPad Air. 4, iPad Pro, and iMac M1.

Well-known whistleblower Jon Prosser, website 91mobiles, and even Mark Gurman of Bloomberg all agree. The dangerous thing about this rumor is that it makes sense. Logically, Apple might redesign the Apple Watch to match the style it stands for in all its other products. The only problem is that it doesn't get an even edge. In fact, the new Apple Watch Series 7 is actually even more rounded. This makes even more sense when accompanied by Apple's explanation that the new smartwatch is crack-resistant.

Renders of Apple Watch Series 7

The Apple Watch Series 7 is the most rounded one ever and that's a good thing. Just like domes are inherently stronger than flat roofs. The rounded curves of Apple's new wearables make it more durable than ever.

What may not be as strong in the future is trust in leakers who make very bold claims that turn out to be untrue. No forensics has yet been done on how much went wrong, but there are a few possibilities.

Apple often researches new designs and tests the latest technology that may never become an Apple product. Perhaps Apple toyed with the flat edge concept for the Apple Watch before dismissing the idea, or simply holding it in for a future release when stronger materials are used that allow for a flat design.

Maybe Apple just decided to have fun and leaked some misinformation to dump the wrench into the rumor mill. The truth may never be known.

What is clear is that the more accurate information is closer to the original source and what appears on the website as a leak has a lot of added drama. If a CAD file or prototype is shown months before a product launch, it seems to make more sense than something that looks like a rendering of the finished product.

A supply chain leak involving an Apple partner sharing information about a component order appears to be more reliable than someone claiming to know intimate and accurate details of the finished product. The round Apple Watch Series 7 is proof of that and it should suffice as a reminder that leaks don't always have to be trusted.