Why is the Apple Watch 2 so important?
According to a report by analysts at Mizuho Securities, Apple won't really start to see revenue from its wearables until the second-generation Watch is released. What’s more, Mizuho analysts also believe that most customers are waiting to see what Apple does next before they buy a wearable, concluding: “We might need to go through couple of iterations before smartwatch adoption broadens.” For those reasons, the Apple Watch 2 will need to be a stunning device.
So what do we want?
We’re hoping for increased independence from the iPhone, better battery life and a thinner enclosure, and if recent reports are to be believed, that’s exactly what Apple is planning.
- Increased independence
- 2016 release date
- 3D Touch likely
As the Watch is Apple’s first wearable, we don’t know much about its intended upgrade cycle. However, reports by 9to5mac seem to suggest a release date of 2016. If the Apple Watch 2 is coming out next year, it's safe to assume it'll be in shops by May 2016, as Apple tends to stick closely to its yearly retail cycle.
Apple Watch 2: Independence
Apple's preview of Watch OS 2 earlier this year offered some clues about the Apple Watch 2. Alongside new features such as more clock faces and a Time Travel function, Watch OS 2 also makes the Apple Watch far more independent from a paired iPhone.
Apple Watch 2: Design
It's likely that the Apple Watch design will remain largely unchanged, but could become slightly thinner. In addition, it's possible that Apple will make it even more suited to sport by increasing its IPX7 waterproof standard to an IP67 rating, like the Samsung Galaxy S5. The current Apple Watch is protected against a "short duration of water immersion" at a depth of less than one metre, but we think this could be improved by the forthcoming Apple Watch Sport. As a result, the new Apple Watch could be suited to a wider range of sporting and outdoor activities.
Apple Watch 2: Battery life
According to reports, Apple’s research showed most Apple Watch owners finished the day with around 30% to 40% of battery charge left on their smartwatches. Surprisingly, the Apple Watch 2 is likely to have similar battery life to the existing model, suggesting that Apple wants its customers to continue charging their watches on a daily basis.
Apple may offer more choices for consumers when it launches the Apple Watch 2. It wants to fill the huge price gap between the most expensive 42mm Watch at £949 and the 42mm Watch Edition at £9,500 with a selection of mid-range variations. Each version of Apple Watch features the same internal hardware, so it’s likely the new models will use different, more premium cases and strap materials.