Our team at Tom’s Guide is looking forward to celebrating Pride Month this week, which symbolises the beginning of the LGBTQ+ community’s self-expression and inclusion. However, the release of Apple’s annual Pride Edition bands for Apple Watch is something we look forward to each June as tech fans.
In honour of this year’s Pride Month, Apple released two new wristbands: the Pride Edition Sport Loop and the Pride Edition Nike Sports Loop. Both are currently on sale for $49, which is the typical price for Sport Loop bands.
The Pride Edition Sport Loop, which we included in our roundup of the finest Apple Watch bands, features various Pride-specific design aspects but offers the same fit and feel as the Sport Loop.
Colors of transgender and gender nonconforming flags can be seen in the woven threads that make the colour gradient that isn’t quite a standard rainbow. These colours are meant to represent people living with or who have died from HIV/AIDS at the same time, according to Apple’s notes(opens in a new tab).
Also on the inside of our wrist, the word “Pride” is embossed in Apple’s signature “hello” cursive typeface. It gives the watch band a 3D effect that we haven’t seen before. But the tiniest ‘Pride 2022’ logo printed below the Velcro strap is our favourite detail. The Pride Month band tradition that Apple established in 2017 may be obscured when the band is performing, but we can still see it when it is off.
Earlier this year, Apple introduced two new Pride Edition products: the Braided Solo Loop and the Nike Sport Loop. As compared to the non-Nike Pride Edition Sport Loop, this year’s Nike Sport Loop has the same colour inclusiveness but on a black basis.
Pride Threads is a new watch face for the new Apple Watch bands. When we turn the digital crown, the threads animate in a way that reminds us of strumming guitar strings, creating the silhouette of numerical time. It’s a good idea.
Apple Watch faces can be customised with photos, so you can use a photograph of yourself at a pride event as your watch face. The Stripes watch face can also be used to create the flag that best reflects you.
For comparison, we tested the new Pride band on the Apple Watch 7, which is currently the best smartwatch on the market. As a first-time user or someone looking to replace their current Apple Watch, check out the greatest current offers on Apple Watches.