More Suppliers Secure Apple Watch 2 Orders as Launch Inches Closer

[MacRumors]

With the Apple Watch 2 expected to launch in the second half of 2016, supply chain informant DigiTimes reports that Samsung and other overseas manufacturers have secured component orders for the next-generation device.

Taiwan-based Advanced Semiconductor Engineering will fulfill the majority of system-on-a-chip production, while Amkor Technology and STATS ChipPAC will share a portion of remaining orders, according to the report.

Meanwhile, additional Taiwanese supplier Kinsus Interconnect Technology is said to have secured Apple Watch 2 substrate orders, and Samsung Electronics will reportedly fabricate the Apple Watch 2's processor, consisting of mobile DRAM, NAND flash, and other chips. Both Kinsus and Samsung provide components for the original Apple Watch, which is powered by Apple's custom-designed S1 chip.

Previous reports indicated that Quanta Computer will likely remain the key Apple Watch 2 manufacturer. The supplier reportedly began trial production of the second-generation watch in January, in time for a purported late-second-quarter launch around June. Volume shipments were said to begin in the third quarter, which could be any point between early July and late September.

Opportunities for Apple to introduce a second-generation Apple Watch include its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, or its annual iPhone introduction event in September. The original Apple Watch was announced in early September 2014 and released in late April 2015, suggesting an elongated 14 to 19 month release cycle between models that may help avoid consumer exhaustion.

Apple analyst Brian White recently speculated that a 20% to 40% thinner Apple Watch 2 could be unveiled by June, possibly at WWDC, but his track record at reporting on Apple's upcoming plans is far from perfect. More reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the Apple Watch 2 will enter mass production in the third quarter of 2016, in line with a fall launch alongside the iPhone 7.

Few details are known about the Apple Watch 2 beyond a June 2015 report that said it will feature a FaceTime video camera and expanded Wi-Fi capabilities, while new bands and finishes are always a possibility. Kuo believes the Apple Watch 2 will feature mostly internal improvements, and possibly minor form factor changes, with a more complete redesign of the device not arriving until 2017.

Article Link: More Suppliers Secure Apple Watch 2 Orders as Launch Inches Closer

 

[Crosscreek]

Does that mean we will see an Watch2 band event?

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

I think it's more like the TV :

Price Drop
6 months
Announce next generation
Release

 

[ayale99]

Launching the Apple Watch 2 with the iPhone 7 doesn't seem like a great strategy. I don't think consumers will want to buy two expensive new Apple toys at the same time.

 

[crsh1976]

I wonder if making the watch thinner, and add a video camera to it, will suffice in making this thing take off - the Watch is not the killer IoT device we were all waiting for (no smartwatch on the market is, either), unless it becomes a lot "smarter" and autonomous (and, I don't know, how about adding GPS to it instead of a silly FaceTime camera?).

 

[macaximx]

No need for a FaceTime camera! Rather have GPS.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

Few details are known about the Apple Watch 2 beyond a June 2015 report that said it will feature a FaceTime video camera and expanded Wi-Fi capabilities,

Yep... what we need is a camera that will be looking up my nose during FaceTime calls, or my arm sticking out like an NBA player after they get the ball...

 

[swm]

facetime camera to film your nose holes from down below while you receiving a call?

 

[Three141]

To me it would make sense to release it with the IP7, redesigned phone and companion watch would go down really well IMO, releasing it now seems to put it in the middle of the tunnel.
Update the laptops, Mac pros and TV this June giving them a clean run.

 

[teslo]

Yep... what we need is a camera that will be looking up my nose during FaceTime calls, or my arm sticking out like an NBA player after they get the ball...

interesting take on the Dick Tracy gizmo the world has been anticipating for some 80 years..

 

[MrGimper]

TBH, GPS is probably the only thing it really needs (and perhaps a couple more sensors for health).

 

[TimUSCA]

To me it would make sense to release it with the IP7, redesigned phone and companion watch would go down really well IMO, releasing it now seems to put it in the middle of the tunnel.
Update the laptops, Mac pros and TV this June giving them a clean run.

Not so sure about that. It'll be difficult for someone to justify buying a new iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time. I suspect it would hurt Watch sales a lot. Besides, assuming this is just an S update, the design of the watch doesn't need to match the new iPhone.

 

[dan110]

If they only make small iterative changes without a near complete overall to include a significant price drop, this is still a market and personal nonstarter.

 

[BvizioN]

Few details are known about the Apple Watch 2 beyond a June 2015 report that said it will feature a FaceTime video camera

Smart keyboard also, and pencil please. Let's make it pro

 

[orbital~debris]

​

Samsung and other overseas manufacturers have secured component orders for the next-generation device.​

​

Why on Earth do you term them 'overseas'?

Such a relative term, especially for a website with a global readership / Such a presumption of everything revolving around America!

 

[Pagemakers]

TBH, GPS is probably the only thing it really needs (and perhaps a couple more sensors for health).

And sensors that actually tell truthful data when you workout.

 

[warrior2000]

No need for a FaceTime camera! Rather have GPS.

GPS is worthless without a cell radio.
With just GPS it would take 5 minutes+ to find a signal. Thats why it would need a cell radio to have a usable GPS.

So do you really want to stuff a GPS+Cell Radio in the watch?

 

[jmgregory1]

My guess is the improvements Apple will make to AW will be akin to the improvements they made moving from iPhone to iPhone 3G, given they are going through a very similar learning curve with a new product. I have, so far, owned every iPhone, and multiple iPads, MacBooks and iMacs, but have held off on getting a Watch, in part because I love my automatic watch and because the current model does feel like it's just a bit too slow and underpowered (while not providing enough battery life).

 

[warrior2000]

If they only make small iterative changes without a near complete overall to include a significant price drop, this is still a market and personal nonstarter.

Not a market starter? Dude, Apple has sold about 10,000,000 units in its first year.

 

[dan110]

If their most popular product is called an "iPhone", why didn't they brand their watch an, "iWatch"? The current names are somewhat confusing.

 

[Three141]

Not so sure about that. It'll be difficult for someone to justify buying a new iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time. I suspect it would hurt Watch sales a lot. Besides, assuming this is just an S update, the design of the watch doesn't need to match the new iPhone.

I think it will be alright, most will get their phones on contract and a good size will use the Apple plan (my assumption), thus freeing up some cash for the watch, I'm no millionaire but the watch prices are not crippling (assuming the remain static).
It will make one heck of a September event and reviews and magazine headlines will be dominated by the redesigned phone and watch (assuming the rumors come true).

 

[WordsmithMR]

The only thing I want from an Apple Watch 2 is the Face Time camera. That's all. A faster processor would be nice but not something that would warrant me getting a new one. The rest of the things I want are OS changes that could be implemented on the original Apple Watch that they haven't bothered touching.

 

[warrior2000]

And sensors that actually tell truthful data when you workout.

The sensors on the watch are just as accurate as other fitness trackers on the market.

The problem is too many people wear the watch way to lose so they get wrong readings.

 

[Pagemakers]

The sensors on the watch are just as accurate as other fitness trackers on the market.

The problem is too many people wear the watch way to lose so they get wrong readings.

I wear my watch correctly and over time and have learned to take the heart rate readings while I'm working out with a pinch of salt.

I couldn't wear the strap any tighter ever if I wanted to.

 

[WordsmithMR]

If there most popular product is called an "iPhone", why didn't they brand their watch an, "iWatch"? The current names are somewhat confusing.

Going by that logic, they should've named the iPhone the MacPhone.