2022 could be a big year for Apple in terms of wearables. That's according to Bloomberg's trusted Apple tipster, Mark Garman.

In his latest Power-On newsletter, Garman tells us that Apple may introduce an upgraded Apple Watch SE and a new "rugged" model. The latter is expected to target athletes and outdoor fitness enthusiasts; Gurman says both models will be announced at the same time as the Apple Watch Series 8 and will likely appear in the fall if Apple sticks to its usual release schedule

He also said that the GW Series 8 is expected to be released in the fall.

Gurman also reported that Apple may be preparing a slew of product announcements, including five new Mac devices and an updated iPad lineup. In fact, there is even a possibility of an inexpensive entry-level MacBook Pro with an M2 Apple Silicon chip.

The original Apple Watch SE debuted in 2020, but was not upgraded this fall. As a result, it is more than reasonable for Apple to revamp its mid-level smartwatch in 2022. While the current Apple Watch SE shares a design with the Apple Watch Series 6, it still lacks some of the more impressive features found in Apple's more expensive wearables, such as an always-on display, blood oxygen sensor, and EKG functionality.

And the SE model was refreshed well in time for the newly introduced Apple Watch Series 7. Unfortunately, Garman did not mention what improvements Apple might make to the SE model, but if we had to guess, we would expect improved fitness features and an upgraded design with a thinner bezel, similar to the look of the Series 7.

Interestingly, Apple may be adding an entirely new model to the Apple Watch lineup; according to Gurman, it would be a new "rugged version targeted at extreme sports athletes." But it wouldn't be the first time we've heard this story.

Back in March we reported that a new rugged Apple Watch variant could be on the way, which was expected by the end of the year.

Garman had previously stated that "Apple is considering launching an Apple Watch with a rugged casing, targeting athletes, hikers, and others who use the device in more extreme environments, according to people familiar with the matter."

"The product, sometimes called the "Explorer Edition" within Apple, would have the same features as the standard Apple Watch, but with added shock resistance and protection like Casio's G-Shock," he shared.

A major concern we have, however, would be the battery life of a rugged watch intended for outdoor activities. Outdoor sports watches rely heavily on GPS, which drains batteries quickly. And since the current industry-leading outdoor sports watches boast battery life that no existing Apple Watch model can match, Apple will have to improve on that.

According to Kate Kozuch, our senior writer specializing in wearables, most versions of Apple's smartwatch last about 18 hours, but that estimate weakens when continuous GPS tracking is used. 18 hours is a long time for an outdoor-focused Some wearables that are designed specifically for the outdoors can last 18 hours in active GPS mode alone.

Not much is known about the potential of the Apple Watch Series 8. The latest Apple Watch 7 is still a fresh enough release, meaning there hasn't been much talk about Apple's next-generation wearable.

Judging by the information already out there, the Series 8 is unlikely to undergo any major design changes on the exterior, disappointing those expecting a flat-edge look. This is allegedly according to a rendered image of the Apple Watch 8 we found a few weeks ago.

But design is not the most important element of a smartwatch. What matters most is what's inside. In particular, improvements in health tracking functions, such as blood glucose measurement, which has long been rumored, are desired.

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