Apple Watch 2 Said to Enter Mass Production in Mid 2016

[MacRumors]

Quanta will be the sole manufacturer of the second-generation Apple Watch, according to a few sources out of the China supply chain (via DigiTimes). The same sources believe that the manufacturing company will ramp up mass production on the "Apple Watch 2" sometime in the second quarter of 2016, following reports that it began a trial production on the smartwatch this month.

The reason for Quanta's status as the only Apple Watch 2 manufacturer stems from rumors surrounding Apple's predicted low-volume production output for the second-generation wearable device. Citing "weaker than expected shipments" of the first Apple Watch, the supply chain sources point to the company's tempered production forecast for its next version of the wrist-worn device.

Apple originally considered shifting some second-generation Apple Watch orders to Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), but decided to keep all the orders with Quanta as volumes will not be high, the sources noted. Because of Apple Watch's weaker than expected shipments, Apple recently reduced the device's shipment forecast for 2016 down further from its estimate in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Although Apple has remained quiet on specific sales numbers for the Apple Watch, estimates put the wearable as a consistent rival to similar products, including Fitbit, with numbers only growing in the lead-up to the holiday season last year. Recent rumors point to the possibility of an interim update for the Apple Watch in March, including only one or two new features (like a FaceTime camera), and with a proper full 2.0 model released later in the year.

Article Link: Apple Watch 2 Said to Enter Mass Production in Mid 2016

 

[dumastudetto]

Let's go!!! I'm ready to order my new Apple Watch.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Two updates in a single year? That doesn't seem like a great plan...

People were already worried about how the Watches would quickly lose their status as latest and greatest when they thought updates would only come once a year. Updating twice a year will only make people more hesitant to ever buy a non-Sport model, I think.

I know one person with an Apple Watch so far. I'm watching him closely and asking him about it, but it's not seeming particularly useful to me.

 

[sunapple]

Just waiting for the old one to drop to 200€ or so because I just can't justify the 500€ price tag. But it would be handy to have one I guess, and I think it's a beautiful product. Maybe future versions can get me to buy a new one, we'll see.

Or maybe they will continue to sell older models at discounted prices. Although the lineup could become pretty crowded.

 

[felt.]

Is it already time to make another terrible investment?

 

[macduke]

An interim update makes no sense. Either we'll see a new Apple Watch this spring or this autumn. Not both.

 

[Wiesenlooser]

I hope apple knows that the Apple Watch 2 has to be a rather significant update then. They will have basically skipped a generation, since the Apple Watch hardware was already late.

The Apple Watch 2 can't come quick enough. The first generation really is limited when it comes to speed and other features.

 

[Kestrel452]

Will we finally see a decent smart watch that has a round case without the "flat tire" nonsense?

The most disappointing smart watch thus far has to be the Moto 360. Such a gorgeous looking smart watch, only to be ruined by limited features and its horrible looking flat tire screen.

The Apple Watch is so ugly that I can't even bring myself to care about it yet.

In all honesty, I don't understand why people are buying these things already. Smart watches just aren't worth their $300+ price tag yet.

 

[Trian]

Because of Apple Watch's weaker than expected shipments, Apple recently reduced the device's shipment forecast for 2016 down further from its estimate in the fourth quarter of 2015.

It seems Apple's marketing and pricing genii are finally waking up to the fact that people still do possess common sense.

The watch itself is way overpriced. Especially the two higher editions. Then it's the bracelets: You can't release a $450 link bracelet. $450!!! You're not Cartier, mate, or another well-established fashion brand. It's electronics you sell. That's sheer theft, when a decent third-party equivalent (from a respected vendor) costs $50-60. Or you can't charge $150-250 for the other "premium" bracelets.

Hopefully this year Apple will:
- apply a more reasonable pricing model to the Watch and its bracelets
- give it a much needed battery boost. Other smartwear can last two days or more, which a) makes them practical for sleep tracking and most importantly, b) makes them forgiving in case you forget to charge them overnight. Not so the  Watch. You forgot to charge it overnight, it very likely stays at home for the day.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

An interim update makes no sense. Either we'll see a new Apple Watch this spring or this autumn. Not both.

Yeah I can't see a tweaked AW in March followed by a second gen three months later. That would be like offering the iPhone 7 three months after the 6s

 

[Stupotpot]

Two updates in a single year? That doesn't seem like a great plan....

Two updates?? I'm confused...this is the 2nd Apple Watch. The first update!

I don't mind the update if there's significant changes to be had, rather than update for update's sake. I just hope the Apple Watch 2 is compatible with Apple Watch 1's bands. I'll be furious if not!!

 

[2010mini]

But will it have gps?

 

[orbital~debris]

The watch itself is way overpriced. Especially the two higher editions. Then it's the bracelets: You can't release a $450 link bracelet. $450!!! You're not Cartier, mate, or another well-established fashion brand. It's electronics you sell. That's sheer theft, when a decent third-party equivalent costs $50-60. Or you can't charge $150-250 for the other "premium" bracelets.
Watch

Except they can, and do.

And when as much care and attention is put into the design, materials & production, as Apple have done with Apple Watch, there's no difference between them - in this respect - and an established "fashion brand".

 

[TonyC28]

Except they can, and do.

And when as much care and attention is put into the design, materials & production, as Apple have done with Apple Watch, there's no difference between them - in this respect - and an established "fashion brand".

Oh come on, be sensible...the bands are overpriced. Sure the quality seems to be there, but they are still priced very high.

 

[StevenPG]

Personally I enjoy my Apple Watch Sport. It is true there's not one thing that it does that makes it worth the $250 (US on sale) price I got mine for, but just like the iPhone it's the many small things it does that makes it worth it. It took me a long time to purchase one because I was also concerned about what it does that makes it worth it. Now it is the first thing I do in the morning. Put on my watch. Before this watch I hadn't worn a watch in maybe 5 years.

 

[SMIDG3T]

Two updates?? I'm confused...this is the 2nd Apple Watch. The first update!

I don't mind the update if there's significant changes to be had, rather than update for update's sake. I just hope the Apple Watch 2 is compatible with Apple Watch 1's bands. I'll be furious if not!!

There are rumours Apple will release a revised version of the Apple Watch in March/April (with a FaceTime camera) and then Apple Watch 2 later in the year.

 

[StevenPG]

Oh come on, be sensible...the bands are overpriced. Sure the quality seems to be there, but they are still priced very high.

I understand the bands are "super high quality" and maybe worth it to some people I feel that Apple stepped a little bit above their target customers on some of these bands. Look at Amazon and how many bands they are selling at $30-$80. I feel that price point makes more sense. Also Apple should release a statement saying for the next five years or so all bands you buy will work. (That won't happen)

 

[AFEPPL]

Will this one actually work though and have some useful functionalities?

 

[Rogifan]

I can't believe anyone takes DigiTimes seriously.

 

[maflynn]

Well if the talk, conjecture and rumors of weaker then hoped for sales of the apple watch, then its possible that Apple decided to speed up the time to roll out a new watch with new features.

 

[Keane16]

It seems Apple's marketing and pricing genii are finally waking up to the fact that people still do possess common sense.

The watch itself is way overpriced. Especially the two higher editions. Then it's the bracelets: You can't release a $450 link bracelet. $450!!! You're not Cartier, mate, or another well-established fashion brand. It's electronics you sell. That's sheer theft, when a decent third-party equivalent (from a respected vendor) costs $50-60. Or you can't charge $150-250 for the other "premium" bracelets.

Hopefully this year Apple will:
- apply a more reasonable pricing model to the Watch and its bracelets
- give it a much needed battery boost. Other smartwear can last two days or more, which a) makes them practical for sleep tracking and most importantly, b) makes them forgiving in case you forget to charge them overnight. Not so the  Watch. You forgot to charge it overnight, it very likely stays at home for the day.

I don't know. My previous daily watch was a Hugo Boss. Nothing special. Cost about £300.

The strap/bracelet broke, they wanted £150 for the replacement. I was pretty stunned.

So I bought the Apple Watch Sport instead of repairing it. The Apple Watch cost less than the Hugo Boss, uses better materials and does more

The Link Bracelet is in a different league to the Hugo Boss one that broke. If Boss can charge £150 for their average stainless steel bracelet. Apple can charge more - £379 still seems steep but in the watch market it's about par for what you're getting.

Macs, iPhones and iPods have never been cheap compared to the competition. Why do people think the Apple Watch would suddenly be priced low.

 

[OllyW]

Well if the talk, conjecture and rumors of weaker then hoped for sales of the apple watch, then its possible that Apple decided to speed up the time to roll out a new watch with new features.

A lot of big retailers were selling them with good discounts in the USA and UK over the Xmas shopping period which suggests they haven't exactly been flying off the shelves.

 

[maflynn]

A lot of big retailers were selling them with good discounts in the USA and UK over the Xmas shopping period which suggests they haven't exactly been flying off the shelves.

I know apple has been quiet with the numbers which some people are concluding that the numbers are not as stellar as Apple had hoped for. Yet with that said, they have eaten up a large portion of the marketshare.

I suspect (my totally uneducated and unscientific opinion) that apple might have misjudged the market for smart watches, and partly caused expectations to be out of line to what was actually delivered.

I'm happy with my apple watch, but I can't see buying another one for a while. Its a nice luxury item, but unlike a phone or a computer, it cannot be construed as a must have device.

 

[Gudi]

The reason for Quanta's status as the only Apple Watch 2 manufacturer stems from rumors surrounding Apple's predicted low-volume production output for the second-generation wearable device. Citing "weaker than expected shipments" of the first Apple Watch, the supply chain sources point to the company's tempered production forecast for its next version of the wrist-worn device.

Some say weaker, some say stronger and nobody knows what the expectations are nor will these so-called predictions ever been proven right or wrong. It's all just make believe. In any case, I would never have expected more than one supplier. Where is this selection of smartwatch-capable suppliers supposed to come from? It's not as if the components going into a smartwatch are also needed for something useful.

 

[OllyW]

I know apple has been quiet with the numbers which some people are concluding that the numbers are not as stellar as Apple had hoped for. Yet with that said, they have eaten up a large portion of the marketshare.

I suspect (my totally uneducated and unscientific opinion) that apple might have misjudged the market for smart watches, and partly caused expectations to be out of line to what was actually delivered.

I'm happy with my apple watch, but I can't see buying another one for a while. Its a nice luxury item, but unlike a phone or a computer, it cannot be construed as a must have device.

I've got no doubt it was the top selling smartwatch last year, it just seems odd there were so many offers available during the period where you would expect the strongest sales.