New 'Solo Loop' Style Bands Optimized for Apple Watch Series 4 and Later

Apple has new band styles for the Apple Watch out today, called the Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop. In the details on each band's store page, Apple points out that these bands are aimed at the Apple Watch Series 4 and later watches.

solo loop compatibility
The reason for this is because these new bands come in eighteen different size options. Apple gives customers a printable tool to find their perfect fit for the Solo Loop bands on Apple.com.

Once you print the tool out and wrap it around your wrist, Apple gives you a number of 1-12, which corresponds to which case size (40mm or 44mm) and band size you'll need. There is some overlap between 40mm and 44mm case sizes, increasing the band size count to eighteen.

printable apple watch tool
These sizing options omit the older Apple Watch case sizes of 38mm and 42mm. To keep things simple, Apple is noting that the bands are only compatible with modern models of the Apple Watch, essentially including Apple Watch Series 4 and later.

Still, these new bands should technically fit on the equivalent 38 and 42mm casings from Series 3 and earlier, but you may have to size up a bit to account for the slightly smaller casing if you want to use one of these bands with an older watch. We should get more detailed information about fit and compatibility for these new bands once they start arriving to customers later this week.

Catch up on today's news by reading our full coverage on the Apple Watch Series 6.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch SE 3
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Foldable Thumb

First Foldable iPhone Design Details Revealed

Monday February 2, 2026 7:19 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature relocated volume buttons, an all-black camera plateau, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more, according to design leaks from a known Weibo leaker. The user known as "Instant Digital" today claimed to share several key details about the design of the foldable iPhone: The volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the...

Top Rated Comments

iamMacPerson Avatar
70 months ago
‘Only compatible with modern models of Apple Watch’.

Ummm they still sell the Series 3...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
70 months ago

What? I’ve never had a band start to smell, and I don’t clean them nearly as often as I probably should.
Given your username, I am rather surprised that is the case. :P
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HiVolt Avatar
70 months ago
It's too bad they didn't simply say "if you're wearing your band on this hole on 40 or 44mm watch, this is the size you need"

referencing the sport bands of course.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chewie16 Avatar
70 months ago
Did you guys notice that this band is made from silicone and not fluoroelastomer?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stromos Avatar
70 months ago

The sport bands are made out of fluoroelastomer due to their lower allergic reaction rates. IIRC Apple made a point of this when they released them.

Silicone on the other hand is a common allergy nuisance.

The Watches all use the same slot, the only difference is a very minor difference in the corner radius.

How can it be that they are not compatible with all models?
Think its more likely the sizes are different on the watch itself. So the sizing tool isn't going to be accurate.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JimmyBanks6 Avatar
70 months ago

Think its more likely the sizes are different on the watch itself. So the sizing tool isn't going to be accurate.
If that was the case you would think Apple would just release two sizing tools depending on your model though.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)