Resolved How much space would be required?

[ardchoille50]

I've heard rumors about Apple looking into adding LTE functionality to the Apple Watch line of devices. One has to wonder.. how much space would be required inside the device for the LTE-specific items? Would the battery power be sufficient to power LTE functionality?

 

[BarracksSi]

I don't think it's a "rumor" about Apple "looking into" LTE on the AW. They were probably "looking into" adding it to iPods, too.

So anyway, let's go to iFixit's iPhone 6S teardown, since it should have the most recent, and hopefully the smallest, Qualcomm LTE chip:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+6s+Teardown/48170#s107880

Hmm. I'd bet it's about the size of my pinky fingernail. It has to connect to a board, of course, which adds more thickness to the installation.

Add an antenna or two and a fatter battery, and you're going to run out of space pretty quickly.

For reference, iFixit's AW teardown:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+Watch+Teardown/40655

 

[ardchoille50]

I don't think it's a "rumor" about Apple "looking into" LTE on the AW. They were probably "looking into" adding it to iPods, too.

So anyway, let's go to iFixit's iPhone 6S teardown, since it should have the most recent, and hopefully the smallest, Qualcomm LTE chip:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+6s+Teardown/48170#s107880

Hmm. I'd bet it's about the size of my pinky fingernail. It has to connect to a board, of course, which adds more thickness to the installation.

Add an antenna or two and a fatter battery, and you're going to run out of space pretty quickly.

For reference, iFixit's AW teardown:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+Watch+Teardown/40655

Yeah, that's what I thought. Apple is going to have to re-think the case size if they want to add LTE functionality.

Thank you very much for the links, quite informative.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

The aw shouldnt have lte capability. At least not until the aw 3rd gen.

Its a waste of space and the use is not enough good. Everyone keeps a phone on them so bluetooth is good enough

 

[BarracksSi]

Yeah, that's what I thought. Apple is going to have to re-think the case size if they want to add LTE functionality.

Thank you very much for the links, quite informative.

You're welcome.

I'm not sure if the case size should change at all, at least not any bigger than it is now. The smaller 38mm watch is big enough (it'll always be bigger than "ladies" watches just so it can have a usable screen), and it shouldn't be left without LTE. It would just complicate choices for buyers and developers, and buyers preferring the small size would be upset about being denied a new feature.

The size of the interior components would need to change instead, and I don't think the technology is ready yet. The two most power-hungry sections are the screen and radios, and for now, the tradeoffs being made are in having the screen off most of the time and using the fewest radio channels possible.

Adding LTE would be a big battery drain, and the watch shouldn't depend on external battery packs just to survive a workday. Unlike a phone, it can't just live in a pocket or handbag -- the watch stays on your wrist. And, IMNSHO, battery wristbands are out of the question.

 

[ardchoille50]

Everyone keeps a phone on them so bluetooth is good enough

That's a very good point.. the AW is meant to be an enhancement for the iPhone rather than a replacement.