Earlier this year, the Apple Watch 7 release date was thought to be this September, but new reports from the company's supply chain suggest that the next-generation smartwatch may arrive later than expected.

According to Bloomberg, the Apple Watch 7 is "suffering from a production stumble" due to expected design changes to Apple's smartwatch. The next Apple Watch is about to be reborn with a flat-edge design, a new screen lamination process, and a larger display size, according to previous rumors.

The report does not specify whether the Apple Watch 7's display, exterior chassis, or other factors are causing production delays. However, it cites information from Nikkei Asia that small-scale Apple Watch 7 production began last week, but that the manufacturer "encountered significant challenges in reaching satisfactory production performance."

The production delay may not be a complete surprise. Several signs indicate that the company is planning its most significant Apple Watch redesign to date. This is also the second time Apple has changed the screen size of its watches, this time expanding the smartwatch from 40mm and 44mm to 41mm and 45mm. Change comes at a price.

According to Nikkei sources, Apple has suspended production of the Apple Watch 7 until the issue is resolved. It is unclear if this delay will affect the company's launch plans. We thought the Apple Watch 7 would share the stage with the iPhone 13 and AirPods 3 at the September keynote, but Apple may not want to reveal a product that is not ready.

Of course, they could announce the Apple Watch 7 as planned and give it a later release date, as they did last year with the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini. Those entirely new product forms, along with the general Covid-19 delay, could have caused similar complications.

For those wondering whether they should buy the Apple Watch 6 or wait for the Apple Watch 7, this news may tip the scales. Waiting a few more weeks to invest in a new smartwatch is one thing, but waiting until sometime in October or even November, when the largest and smallest iPhones finally became available last year, is another.

We cannot say for sure what is happening on the Apple Watch 7 production line or how the new reports will affect the Apple Watch 7 release date. But based on information from Bloomberg and Nikkei, we are not as certain as before that it will arrive in September.

That said, the Apple Watch 7 looks worth the wait. In addition to a redesigned design, the latest Apple Watch is rumored to feature a double-sided S7 chip, which will shrink the area of the processor and upgrade its performance every year. Swim tracking and water resistance could also be improved.

The Apple Watch 7 should be the best Apple Watch yet; there are not as many leaks of the Apple Watch 7 as there are of the iPhone 13, but even if the sweet design change does not materialize, the watch will come with watchOS 8 . The latest wearable software brings a new mindfulness app, precipitation alerts, digital key support, multiple timers, and more.

For a guide to the underrated features coming to the Apple Watch with the Over-the-Air update and to try out the new features, see how to download the watchOS 8 public beta.