We've heard rumors that Apple is planning to reveal the Apple Watch 2 alongside a 4-inch iPhone this March, but that may not necessarily be the case.
According to TechCrunch, sources indicate that a major new hardware revision of the Apple Watch 2 may not be announced in March. Instead, Apple will likely announce new design partnerships and accessories for the current Apple Watch. However, TechCrunch has also heard that Apple may ship a minor revision of the Apple Watch that includes a FaceTime camera and nothing much else.
I’m not so sure that we’ll be seeing it that early. Several things that I’ve heard (from several sources) indicate to me that we won’t see a major new hardware model of the Apple Watch in March. Design partnerships, accessories, that kind of thing maybe but not a “Watch 2.0” with a bunch of new hardware features. I could be wrong, of course, but I’ve heard enough to put it out there.
After posting the story, TechCrunch updated its report to indicate that other sources claim a possibility of a minor Apple Watch hardware update remains.
Update: I’ve now heard a bit more that suggests that Apple might ship a minor revision of the Apple Watch that includes a FaceTime camera and not much else — but still that it would not be a full “Watch 2.0” with casing changes and major improvements. Still no word on timing but that could explain the reports of a camera have been showing up.
Despite reports of trial production of an Apple Watch 2 beginning in March, Ben Bavarian of Creative Strategies said supply chain checks are showing no movement that would indicate a new Watch model in production.
“With the supply chain cuts from the usual suspects of Apple component providers, the timing does seem suspect for a new product given orders would have taken place in the latter part of 2015 if a new product is shipping first half of 2016,” says Bajarin.
If the Apple Watch 2 is not ready for a March reveal, the event would likely consist of a smaller 4-inch iPhone and perhaps updated iPads or Macs; nevertheless, It will be interesting to see what the Apple Watch's upgrade cycle will be. Apple likes to update its products once a year, but the Apple Watch could call for a longer replacement cycle than an iPhone due to its "lighter" interactions.
Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.
According to TechCrunch, sources indicate that a major new hardware revision of the Apple Watch 2 may not be announced in March. Instead, Apple will likely announce new design partnerships and accessories for the current Apple Watch. However, TechCrunch has also heard that Apple may ship a minor revision of the Apple Watch that includes a FaceTime camera and nothing much else.
I’m not so sure that we’ll be seeing it that early. Several things that I’ve heard (from several sources) indicate to me that we won’t see a major new hardware model of the Apple Watch in March. Design partnerships, accessories, that kind of thing maybe but not a “Watch 2.0” with a bunch of new hardware features. I could be wrong, of course, but I’ve heard enough to put it out there.
After posting the story, TechCrunch updated its report to indicate that other sources claim a possibility of a minor Apple Watch hardware update remains.
Update: I’ve now heard a bit more that suggests that Apple might ship a minor revision of the Apple Watch that includes a FaceTime camera and not much else — but still that it would not be a full “Watch 2.0” with casing changes and major improvements. Still no word on timing but that could explain the reports of a camera have been showing up.
Despite reports of trial production of an Apple Watch 2 beginning in March, Ben Bavarian of Creative Strategies said supply chain checks are showing no movement that would indicate a new Watch model in production.
“With the supply chain cuts from the usual suspects of Apple component providers, the timing does seem suspect for a new product given orders would have taken place in the latter part of 2015 if a new product is shipping first half of 2016,” says Bajarin.
If the Apple Watch 2 is not ready for a March reveal, the event would likely consist of a smaller 4-inch iPhone and perhaps updated iPads or Macs; nevertheless, It will be interesting to see what the Apple Watch's upgrade cycle will be. Apple likes to update its products once a year, but the Apple Watch could call for a longer replacement cycle than an iPhone due to its "lighter" interactions.
Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.