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Apple is limiting pre-orders for the Apple Watch to predetermined case and band combinations.
This means that you won’t be able to mix and match cases and bands when buying the Apple Watch on, or after, the April 10 launch, as first reported by iMore.
You’ll still be able to design your own Apple Watch per se, but it will be a more protracted process.
If you want a silver aluminium case with a blank band, for instance, then you won’t be able to get that as standard from the Apple Store on pre-order day.
Instead, you’ll need to buy one of the pre-configured silver aluminium Apple Watch models, and then buy a black band later. You’ll then be able to swap the band out yourself.
This means you’ll technically need to fork out for two bands instead of one. That’s an unfortunate surcharge, particularly as Apple has been keen to talk up the customisability of its fledgling wearable.
This could be an effort to make stocking the watch more efficient initially, by limiting the number of options customers can choose from.
Wearables are a completely new product category for Apple, so it’s unsurprising that the company wants to streamline the launch and reduce risk as much as possible.
Related: Apple Watch vs Android Wear
You can currently view all of the available Apple Watch combinations on the company’s online store, so you have some time to decide on a model at least.
The Apple Watch is available for pre-order starting on April 10, with the full retail launch scheduled for April 24.
Several physical outlets are being set-up in various locations around the world, dedicated to showcasing the Apple Watch. These stores will also open on April 10.
