Apple Watch is one of the most popular smartwatches in the market and sets the bar for wearables. As per Counterpoint Research, Apple led the market with a 36 percent share in the first quarter of 2022. Now a patent spotted by iMore publication reveals that the Apple Watch could come with a built-in camera in the future. 

The patent was published on the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) The image of the patent gives us an idea of how Apple will plan to add a camera in to the smartwatch. 

Apple aims to put the camera lens inside the Digital Crown button. The latter is located on the right side of the device. The lens of the camera could be integrated within the aperture and/or behind the aperture of the dial so that it can focus on the subject. This will enable users to capture images by extending their arm with the Digital Crown facing toward the subject. It’s worth noting that there is a catch here i.e. people who prefer wearing a watch on their right hand would have the camera facing themselves. Hence, the user will be required to wear the device on the left hand so that the lens inside Digital Crown faces the opposite direction. It will be interesting to see how Apple tackles this issue. 

It’s also worth noting that patents don’t often materialise in to actual products. The Apple Watch with a camera lens does sound interesting and futuristic. However, don’t expect it to arrive soon and definitely not on this year’s Apple Watch Series 8. 

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