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Apple Watch Annual updates (or not) [MERGED]

Apple will make significantly more revenue upgrading the Apple Watch annually. They don't do so with the TV because: 1. there's little they can do on an annual basis that would entice owners to upgrade. 2. It's not a product people would want to upgrade annually.

Although it would be nice for earlier adopters if they go with a bi-annual upgrade schedule.
 
Annual? Heck I would be extremely happy to ditch the one I haven't even got yet and buy an Apple watch 2 in November.
 
Annual internal changes; bi-annual design changes.

Although I think those that buy this generation will have the longest cycle of about 18 months. I think they will release updates along with the iPhone to capitalize on marketing and holiday sales. However, I expect very frequent new band releases (where's the Product Red?).
 
Apple Watch Update Cycle?

Do you think that the Apple Watch will be updated on an annual cycle like the iPhone, or will it be updated less frequently like the Mac Pro?

The fact that Apple has marketed it as a fashion piece makes me think they might not update it as often as an iPhone.

And the Edition owners would probably get pissed if their 12k watch is outdated a year later.

What are your thoughts?
 
I would be shocked if it wasn't updated annually. If I knew that the watch would physically stay the same for a couple of years, and any improvements would be software-based, I would be less worried about splurging on one of the higher-end ones. But I don't think that's going to be the case.
 
My only question around the update cycle is it seems like they originally wanted it out with the iPhone 6 last fall, but it got pushed back to Spring 2016.

I could see any of the following:

- gen 2 out fall 15 (unlikely)
- gen 2 out spring 16 (most likely)
- gen 2 out fall 16 (maybe)

Would be shocked if gen 2 isn't out by the end of 2016.
 
Apple has a whole lot more technology to cram into the Watch that didn't make the first round.

Then again, the sensors on bottom, may have a lot of software upgrade potential that they just need to work the tuning on and release an update down the line.

I can see it going either way.
 
The rumours of an additional three band types (and maybe additional case materials) in 6-9 months time sounds plausible to me. I think it could be every 12 to 18 months that we get new hardware features or a refined body, using the same band connector but I would be pretty surprised if it was every two years or longer.

Recall that the first gen iPhone and iPad looked very different to the following models before the hardware cycles we're used to kicked in. Feedback on this first Apple Watch will help cement the direction Apple will focus on from here. It's possible that a big hardware change will come relatively quickly compared to how long we'll be waiting for the one after that.

Fashion evolves quickly, remember, and plenty of people complain about S models looking the same as the previous iPhone. Apple Watch is sufficiently minimalistic for this to not be a major concern but I'm sure Apple will want to refine it.

Edition owners won't be pissed they'll buy the new one if they're that bothered.
 
Joe HS said:
The rumours of an additional three band types (and maybe additional case materials) in 6-9 months time sounds plausible to me. I think it could be every 12 to 18 months that we get new hardware features or a refined body, using the same band connector but I would be pretty surprised if it was every two years or longer.

Recall that the first gen iPhone and iPad looked very different to the later models before the hardware cycles we're used to kicked in. Feedback on this first Apple Watch will help cement the direction Apple will focus on from here. It's possible that a big hardware change will come relatively quickly compared to how long we'll be waiting for the one after that.

Fashion evolves quickly, remember, and plenty of people complain about S models looking the same as the previous iPhone. Apple Watch is sufficiently minimalistic for this to not be a major concern but I'm sure Apple will want to refine it.
Edition owners won't be pissed they'll buy the new one if they're that bothered.
Click to expand...

I'm beginning to think that iteration will occur around case materials and band styles as well as technology upgrades.

That is to say, perhaps they release more models with varied materials a year from now, and then do a technology release the year after. This sets up "S"-style updates as they do with the phone:

  • 2015 - Initial Release
  • 2016 - Platinum casing, new bands/straps
  • 2017 - Apple Watch 2
  • 2018 - Liquid Metal case, link bracelets
  • etc...
 
Last edited:
Menel said:
Apple has a whole lot more technology to cram into the Watch that didn't make the first round.

Then again, the sensors on bottom, may have a lot of software upgrade potential that they just need to work the tuning on and release an update down the line.

I can see it going either way.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. I am sure they have a lot of ideas for the watch that they were not able to include in the first gen product. That's not to mention all of the kinks that need to be ironed out after this gets released to the public. So, I would really be surprised if this is not updated annually, if not sooner.
 
I don't think these watches are going to have hardware updates that often. Some considerations..

Add sensors - Technology for measuring glucose, BP, etc., through the wrist has not been perfected and may require FDA approval.

Add GPS - too much of a battery hog and already available in the iPhone.

Make it lighter or thinner... maybe, but is that so important?

I think there is a lot of room for improvement with OS software upgrades and new and better watch Apps and that is why I am not too concerned with ending up with an outdated lump on my wrist any time soon.
 
urbancity said:
Do you think that the Apple Watch will be updated on an annual cycle like the iPhone, or will it be updated less frequently like the Mac Pro?

The fact that Apple has marketed it as a fashion piece makes me think they might not update it as often as an iPhone.

And the Edition owners would probably get pissed if their 12k watch is outdated a year later.

What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

This exact question has been posted daily since September.

Nobody knows.
 
Patriot24 said:
  • 2014 - Initial Release
  • 2015 - Platinum casing, new bands/straps
  • 2016 - Apple Watch 2
  • 2017 - Liquid Metal case, link bracelets
  • etc...
Click to expand...

Did you intend that list to start in 2015—or do you really consider last September's stage presentation (and/or the rumors, etc., that came out between then and New Year's) to be an "initial release"?

Typo? (Forget what year it currently is? ;))

Anyway, presuming that you meant that "Platinum casing..." would be in 2016, the one issue I could see with that schedule is that it involves Apple passing up a golden (so to speak) sales opportunity—that is, December holidays.

My own basically uneducated guess is that major hardware updates (internals, sensors, potentially the whole external look of the thing) will be introduced every one or two years, but that mid-to-late fall, quite possibly in every year beginning in 2015, would be a perfect time to bring out new bands, new case materials, and new colors.
 
I'm in the camp that believe the S1 chip in the Watch will be easily replaceable, so upgrading to the new chip will be like getting a new battery. I'm sure that upgrade will cost as much as a Sport, and won't be true forever, though.
 
Camusrieux said:
Did you intend that list to start in 2015—or do you really consider last September's stage presentation (and/or the rumors, etc., that came out between then and New Year's) to be an "initial release"?

Typo? (Forget what year it currently is? ;))

Anyway, presuming that you meant that "Platinum casing..." would be in 2016, the one issue I could see with that schedule is that it involves Apple passing up a golden (so to speak) sales opportunity—that is, December holidays.

My own basically uneducated guess is that major hardware updates (internals, sensors, potentially the whole external look of the thing) will be introduced every one or two years, but that mid-to-late fall, quite possibly in every year beginning in 2015, would be a perfect time to bring out new bands, new case materials, and new colors.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I totally whiffed on the years there. Fixed now.

It will be interesting to see if they re-align the watch with the holidays or leave it in Q1/2 each year.
 
8CoreWhore said:
The need for hardware improvements will just not seem as pressing as it did with the iPhone.
Click to expand...
It seems to me that the main "need for hardware improvements" will come from fashion imperatives, not technological ones.

Those forces don't mean much to a lot of people on this forum (including me!), but a whole lot of potential Watch buyers look at wearable products very differently. The ability to own "this year's Apple Watch" could well be very valuable—certainly to the folks who will buy the Edition (which is why the whole "how can you spend $10 grand on a gadget that will be obsolete in a year?!?" bit is so beside the point)—but also, I think, to plenty of people who opt for the more broadly affordable lines.
 
AdonisSMU said:
Does anyone know about this?
Click to expand...

Nobody knows. They (Apple) haven't said.

A few weeks back there was a *rumor* that Apple had a standalone watch that need not be tethered to the iPhone waiting in the wings to be announced late this year.

But as with all things, a rumor.

Personally, I hope that Apple doesn't upgrade every year. It's quite expensive buying a new watch yearly, though at least the bands should be compatible for upgrades to come (we hope)
 
I was apart of a survey of smart watch users months before the announcement of the  watch announcement and the independents of the watch was asked, I personally took a dislike to it because I already have a phone on me at all times. And seeing the things that made it from that, (like the Siri screen shot or maps) I think they already choose the direction for the watch. Which does use wifi independently if I remember correctly.
As for the upgrade cycle, lord know. I hope its not annually, but knowing apple they will skip a year, and jump into the yearly refresh.
 
This is definitely not something Apple is talking about.

I for one expect this kind of scenario:
  • Lots of refinements to the software over time
  • Much longer OS update support period for watches vs the two years for iPhones (Apple will recognize that consumers expect watches to last longer than phones)
  • Ability to swap out the S1 in-store for a reasonable fee (say $150) when the S2 is released, and so forth.
  • Slow and steady refinement of the hardware design, focusing on the watch body, with improvements like a thinner profile, bonded display, and eventually onboard cellular/GPS (starting about 2 years out).
  • Retain compatibility with existing watch bands for the foreseeable future, and occasionally release new bands.
 
I'm guessing it will be yearly but all iterations will be compatible with current bands. I don't think any of the changes will be drastic and the watch will maintain its "look". Most of the changes will probably be in the area of streamlining the case, battery friendly processors and displays and probably sensor upgrades. Gps is a big maybe that will probably appear when the watch can operate untethered. Just a guess though #
 
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