Extended Preview of Apple iPhone Watch 2; Expected Release Date In 2016
Apple is ready to turn the market on its head once more with the release date for iPhone Watch 2 sometime this year.
The tech giant first launched iPhone Watch on April, 2015 and immediately became the best-selling wearable device at that time, with a shipment of 4.2 million in the second quarter of 2015 alone, according to analyst firm Canalys.
Barry Lam, chairman of Quanta, which manufactures Apple Watch, hinted that the release date may be in the second quarter of 2016.
GforGames reported that the beta testing for Apple Watch 2 by Quanta started in January.
According to the initial reports, device will feature more clock faces, time travel function and limit the dependency from the paired iPhone and work independently using Wi-Fi. Apple is also planning to add FaceTime video camera to the second generation Apple watch
As first noted by Tech Crunch, citing several sources, it appears that the Apple Watch 2 may not be a complete redesign, and may be more of an 'S' update similar to the iPhone refresh cycle.
Apple always unveils its products in March so the release date for the Apple Watch 2 is also expected around that time, along with the iPhone 6C and Ipad Air 3; however, the maiden appearance can be in September 2016 for the smart watch.
Among the fans expectations for the Apple Watch 2 are:
- Long Battery Life: Daniel Matte, who leads wearable research at Canalys, suggests that the company "could utilize Samsung Foundry's 14FF process to manufacture the chipsets in the Apple Watch 2."
- Screen: Few changes in the display panel are expected but Korean news outlet, MK News, said that it will feature the same OLED screen as its predecessor, once again using LG as the sole supplier of displays for the wearable.
- Waterproof Feature: Fans are hoping that the Apple Watch 2 would upgrade its IPX7 waterproof standard to IP67 ratings.
- Siri Advancements: This AI genie can manage Glances, HomeKit and Maps, also would keep track about workouts. Siri can also help in setting reminders, add notes, texting and other things.
- GPS: Apple sorely lacks development in this area so in the OS2 of the Apple Watch 2, fans are hoping to see this feature.
- Price: The cost of the Apple Watch 2 is not yet released as of this time. But the second version could vary in prices from $1,350 to as much as $13,000.
Wait for the confirmation on Apple Watch 2's release date probably in March.