Faster Apple Watch 2 With GPS, Barometer, Larger Battery, and Same Thickness to Launch Later This Year<img src="
" alt="Apple-Watch-trio" width="250" height="167" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-493755" />KGI Securities analyst
Ming-Chi Kuo issued a research note to investors today in which he predicts an all-new
Apple Watch 2 will likely launch in the second half of 2016 with a faster TSMC-built processor, GPS, barometer, superior waterproofing, and a higher capacity battery.
Kuo, well connected within the supply chain, believes the second-generation Apple Watch will retain the same screen sizes and thickness as existing models, with a
similar form factor overall, despite adopting
thinner display technology. However, while the Apple Watch 2 was once
rumored to include cellular connectivity, Kuo does not expect LTE support until 2017.
The analyst also predicted that upgraded first-generation Apple Watch models will debut in the second half of 2016 with similar processor and waterproofing upgrades, but likely without the Apple Watch 2's most significant additions like a GPS and barometer. Kuo expects another Apple Watch price cut once the new models are launched, but remains conservative about prospective shipments in 2017.
Apple Watch shipments could rise further between 2018 and 2020, pending significant form factor changes, FDA approvals supporting more medical and health applications, and 5G network commercialization, according to Kuo.
Apple has been pushing iPhone and Apple Watch sales together, so updated models of each device launching in tandem would be appropriate. The tentatively named
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are rumored to
launch on September 16, with pre-orders possibly starting a week earlier on
September 9, so all-new Apple Watch 2 and upgraded Apple Watch 1 models could debut around those dates.
Kuo did not confirm if the Apple Watch 2 will have a
FaceTime camera and expanded Wi-Fi capabilities as previously rumored.
<div class="linkback">Related Roundups:
Apple Watch,
watchOS 2,
watchOS 3 Tags:
KGI Securities,
Ming-Chi Kuo,
Apple Watch 2 Buyer's Guide:
Apple Watch (Caution) </div>
Discuss this article in our forums
<div class="feedflare">
<img src="[url]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img>[/url]
<img src="[url]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=6W8y8wAjSf4" border="0"></img>[/url]
<img src="[url]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img>[/url]
</div><img src="
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MacRumors-Front/~4/3TBITqZ-A18" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>
Source:
Faster Apple Watch 2 With GPS, Barometer, Larger Battery, and Same Thickness to Launch Later This Year
