Apple has once again embraced the spirit of Pride Month with the release of its 2025 Pride Edition Sport Band for the Apple Watch, a vibrant and meaningful addition to its annual Pride Collection. This year’s band, now available for purchase, celebrates the LGBTQ+ community’s strength, beauty, and individuality. As detailed in a recent Forbes article by David Phelan, the 2025 Pride Edition Sport Band stands out with its unique design and thoughtful craftsmanship, making it a must-have for Apple Watch enthusiasts and allies alike.
A Unique Design That Tells a Story
Thanks to its handcrafted construction, the 2025 Pride Edition Sport Band is unlike any other Apple Watch band. Featuring a “tapestry of rainbow
stripes that vary in shape and size,” each band is assembled by hand from
individual strips of vibrant color, compression-molded together to create
subtle yet striking variations. No two bands are precisely alike, symbolizing the
individuality of every member of the LGBTQ+ community. This design choice makes each band visually distinct and carries a powerful message of
diversity and inclusion.
The band’s packaging is equally special, with full-color instructions and
an approximation of the band’s unique pattern, highlighting Apple’s attention
to detail. As Phelan notes, even the box reflects the band’s colorful spirit,
setting it apart from the standard monochrome packaging of other Apple Watch
bands.
Compatibility and Accessibility
Priced at $49 in the U.S. (£49 in the U.K., A$69 in Australia), the Pride
Edition Sport Band is an accessible way to show support for the LGBTQ+
community. It’s available in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, with S/M and M/L
lengths, ensuring compatibility with every Apple Watch model, including the
rugged Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2. The band can be ordered online through
apple.com or the Apple Store app and is now available at Apple Store locations
and authorized resellers.
The band’s material, Apple’s signature fluoroelastomer, is comfortable and durable, making it ideal for everyday wear, from workouts to
casual outings. Its pin-and-tuck closure ensures a secure fit, and the 46mm
size is also compatible with 44mm cases, offering flexibility for users with
different watch models.
More Than Just a Band: A Full Pride
Experience
The Pride Edition Sport Band is part of Apple’s broader 2025 Pride
Collection, which includes a dynamic Pride Harmony watch face and matching
wallpapers for iPhone and iPad. These digital components, available with the
watchOS 11.5, iOS 18.5, and iPadOS 18.5 software updates, complement the band’s
design with bold rainbow stripes. The watch face features analog hands and
colorful stripes that shift to form large hour numerals when the user raises
their wrist, creating an interactive and visually stunning effect. Similarly,
the iPhone and iPad wallpapers change colors as users move, lock, or unlock
their devices, bringing the Pride theme to life across Apple’s ecosystem.
These digital assets can be downloaded through the Apple Watch app, Apple
Store app, or apple.com, allowing users to personalize their devices without
purchasing the band. However, as Phelan suggests, the watch face looks
its best when paired with the Pride Edition Sport Band, creating a cohesive and
eye-catching look.
Apple’s Commitment to the LGBTQ+
Community
Beyond aesthetics, Apple’s Pride Collection reflects the company’s
ongoing commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. Apple
financially supports organizations that advocate for and serve these
communities, such as GLSEN, PFLAG, The Trevor Project, and ILGA World. This
support, combined with the annual release of Pride-themed products, underscores
Apple’s dedication to advancing equality and celebrating diversity.
The 2025 Pride Edition Sport Band also marks a milestone: it coincides
with the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch, which launched in 2015. Since
2016, Apple has released Pride Edition bands each year, evolving from simple
rainbow designs to more intricate and meaningful creations that incorporate
colors representing various identities within the LGBTQ+ community, such as
black, brown, pink, light blue, and white.
Why It Matters
The 2025 Pride Edition Sport Band is more than just a stylish accessory;
it’s a statement of solidarity and a celebration of individuality. Its unique,
handcrafted design ensures that every wearer carries a one-of-a-kind piece,
mirroring the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re an Apple Watch
owner looking to refresh your collection or someone who wants to support Pride Month, this band offers a meaningful way to do so.
David Phelan notes in his Forbes article that the band’s vibrant design
and subtle variations make it stand out from previous Pride bands and other
Apple Watch bands. It’s a testament to Apple’s ability to blend
technology, design, and social impact, creating products that resonate on both
a personal and cultural level.
Get Yours Today
The 2025 Pride Edition Sport Band is available now, with in-store
availability at Apple Stores starting May 14, 2025, and online orders already
underway. Whether treating yourself or gifting it to someone special,
this band is a beautiful way to celebrate Pride Month and support a meaningful
cause. Pair it with the Pride Harmony watch face and wallpaper for the whole
experience, and wear it with pride—literally and figuratively.
For more details, check out the full Forbes article by David Phelan or
visit apple.com to explore the 2025 Pride Collection. Let’s celebrate the
strength, beauty, and individuality of the LGBTQ+ community together!
Sources: Forbes (David Phelan, May 16, 2025), Apple.com