June is only a month away, which means we are getting to the time of the year when most brands will adorn themselves with the colours of the rainbow—in a show of performative solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community (and then forget about it for the rest of the year).
Apple, on the other hand, is coming in clutch with a solid 2026 Pride lineup, which includes—a new Apple Watch band, watch face, and a matching wallpaper for the iPhone and iPad. This is not a new endeavour by any means, they have been doing so since 2017 as an annual tradition of supporting LGBTQ+ communities through special-edition products and digital designs.
The highlight of the collection is the Pride Edition Sport Loop band, which features a vibrant rainbow design crafted from 11 different colours of woven nylon yarn (do they not know a rainbow has only seven?). According to Apple, the accessory reflects the diversity and individuality of LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.
This new band is available to order at online and offline Apple stores, with retail availability following shortly after. It comes in multiple size options—40mm, 42mm, and 46mm—ensuring compatibility across various Apple Watch models and costs ₹4,500 in India.
Complementing the physical band is the new Pride Luminance watch face. Designed to echo the band’s colourful aesthetic, the watch face introduces two geometric styles: a radial pattern with rays of colour aligned to hour markers, and a vertical pattern inspired by the band’s linear stripes. Users can further customize the colours, allowing for a more personalized visual experience.
Apple has also extended the design language to iPhones and iPads through a matching Pride Luminance wallpaper. Like the watch face, the wallpaper features dynamic colour options and is designed to create a cohesive look across devices. These digital elements will become available with upcoming software updates, including watchOS 26.5, iOS 26.5, and iPadOS 26.5, which are expected to roll out later in May.
While the idea is obviously noble, and I’m sure the design team took their time blending “one colour into the next, creating depth and movement across the band”, as Apple said—I can’t help but notice that it looks like one of those old nylon bags that our grandparents carried. It’s giving jhola straps vibes, and not in a good way!
Here’s a photo-for-proof:
You get what I mean, right? Just look at the straps!
Not that there’s anything wrong with it–hey, if that is your aesthetic, go for it. Personally, I’m not sold on the design. And at ₹4,500, it’s definitely not something I’m rushing to add to my cart.
