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Gen 1 > Gen 2 timeframe?

BMox81

BMox81

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 14, 2014
1,117
1,051
United Kingdom
I've seen lots of comments about the potential Gen 2 watches coming out next year.

Just wondering where people have seen information to suggest that this is the route that Apple are going to take with the Watch....?

I know people are probably going from the iPhone/iPad cycles but figured I'd ask in the event that I've missed something.
 
Cycles are going to be based on two factors:

1) Available technology

2) Sales

I don't think we can assume the same Major/Minor upgrade cycle pattern we see in the iPad and iPhone. In fact its likely to resemble the recent iPod cycle and new color or band options will be available with maybe a faster processor and longer life battery but the feature set and case design remain the same for a couple years.

Being that the "Smart Watch is an all new category that 99% of the world is unfamiliar with sales will probably start off huge then drop dramatically and then ramp back up as the Apple Watch permeates pop-culture and more apps (use cases" become available. So there is no reason to revamp a product that is still growing. You revamp a model when sales decrease because of saturation or low consumer interest in current model.

Then there is the tech. We've heard about all the sensors Apple would love to put in the Watch. But who knows when/if any of that will be ready for prime time. Maybe two years. Maybe three. It's not next year.

If you look at the electronic sport watch makers like Garmin, Polar, Suunto, they typically upgrade their watches every +/-24 months. I think it takes that long for different tech to emerge to justify and upgrade plus it takes them that long to get the firmware right on the previous model.

I'd say if you are wondering about buying now or waiting for gen 2, buy now and enjoy. Worry about gen 2 when it comes. This is a tech toy we are talking about not a "once in a lifetime" purchase. No point in waiting to be satisfied because as with all tech we always want more no matter how happy we are with the current model.
 
I going to go out on a limb and say Apple will release upgraded iPhones, MacBooks, iMacs, and iPads next year. Heck maybe even a Apple TV, MP and Time Capsule.

That will not stop the ones I currently own from functioning.
 
12 months. Mark your calendar.

Expecting to have the latest and greatest Apple Watch for more than 12 months is a recipe for disappointment.

That said, I agree that we are unlikely to see a complete redesign in 12 months. Most likely, in 12 months, we'll see a watch that looks very similar to the current model, except with 2-3 days of battery life and an "always on" display like some other OLED smart watches.
 
Probably in a years time like most of Apple's other offerings.
 
I was going to post about this yesterday, the one thing that is worrying me about getting the Apple Watch is not so much the cost but the life cycle of the Watch itself.

I don't mind spending a few hundred on the Apple Watch if it is likely to last at least a couple of years, i've been thinking of investing in the :apple: Watch with a Leather Loop, Sport Band and a Milanese Loop but if this Watch is going to stop functioning or unable to have the OS updates (like with the phones) in about 2 years then it may not be the investment i want it to be.

What do you think about this?
 
KenAFSPC said:
12 months. Mark your calendar.

Expecting to have the latest and greatest Apple Watch for more than 12 months is a recipe for disappointment.

That said, I agree that we are unlikely to see a complete redesign in 12 months. Most likely, in 12 months, we'll see a watch that looks very similar to the current model, except with 2-3 days of battery life and an "always on" display like some other OLED smart watches.
Click to expand...


Because of the world wide rollout probably taking until the end of the summer, I would say the next update will be Fall of 2016 during the iPhone event, considering the iPhone and Apple Watch go hand in hand. After that I think cycles will be every year at the iPhone event.

----------
Dave245 said:
I was going to post about this yesterday, the one thing that is worrying me about getting the Apple Watch is not so much the cost but the life cycle of the Watch itself.

I don't mind spending a few hundred on the Apple Watch if it is likely to last at least a couple of years, i've been thinking of investing in the :apple: Watch with a Leather Loop, Sport Band and a Milanese Loop but if this Watch is going to stop functioning or unable to have the OS updates (like with the phones) in about 2 years then it may not be the investment i want it to be.

What do you think about this?
Click to expand...

I don't think its gonna stop functioning, the iPhone 4 still works and its 5 years old.
 
Dave245 said:
I was going to post about this yesterday, the one thing that is worrying me about getting the Apple Watch is not so much the cost but the life cycle of the Watch itself.

I don't mind spending a few hundred on the Apple Watch if it is likely to last at least a couple of years, i've been thinking of investing in the :apple: Watch with a Leather Loop, Sport Band and a Milanese Loop but if this Watch is going to stop functioning or unable to have the OS updates (like with the phones) in about 2 years then it may not be the investment i want it to be.

What do you think about this?
Click to expand...

Despite what a lot of haters say Apple does not, in most cases, abandon past products. There support cycle is excellent. Heck Gen 2 iPads are still very much in use and supported, iPhone 4's are as well. I think that the fact that a lot of work for the watch is done on the iPhone will make the watch last even longer! Will it be the latest and greatest in even 2 years, No. But i will still be supported and function.
 
FrankySavvy said:
Because of the world wide rollout probably taking until the end of the summer, I would say the next update will be Fall of 2016 during the iPhone event, considering the iPhone and Apple Watch go hand in hand. After that I think cycles will be every year at the iPhone event.

----------



I don't think its gonna stop functioning, the iPhone 4 still works and its 5 years old.
Click to expand...

But does not work with the Watch :)

Even if it's working, Apple can, as now, still Engineer it to be out of date long before that.
 
Ben Bajarin said he asked Apple reps about upgradeability of the watch and they didn't say "no" they said they had "nothing to say about that at this time". He also said that Apple designers spent a lot of time explaining the Watch's modular design. I don't think we have the whole story here yet. My guess is we'll get v2 when it can support GPS and wifi without a huge hit to battery life.
 
Sodner said:
Despite what a lot of haters say Apple does not, in most cases, abandon past products. There support cycle is excellent. Heck Gen 2 iPads are still very much in use and supported, iPhone 4's are as well. I think that the fact that a lot of work for the watch is done on the iPhone will make the watch last even longer! Will it be the latest and greatest in even 2 years, No. But i will still be supported and function.
Click to expand...
No, Apple just degrades the performance of your older devices with each successive OS update to the point where you feel compelled to upgrade to the newest device just so that you can return to the levels of performance you had with your older device. Evidence, my iPad3 and IOS8.
 
Sodner said:
Despite what a lot of haters say Apple does not, in most cases, abandon past products. There support cycle is excellent. Heck Gen 2 iPads are still very much in use and supported, iPhone 4's are as well. I think that the fact that a lot of work for the watch is done on the iPhone will make the watch last even longer! Will it be the latest and greatest in even 2 years, No. But i will still be supported and function.
Click to expand...

I expect Apple to release a new version that's business, however i do like to keep hold of my devices i had a iPad 3 since it was released until i got my Air 2 and i've still got a 2011 Macbook Pro. My mum still has my old iPhone 4S because i upgraded to the 5S and then the 6 Plus and it works fine for her, so if the Apple Watch lasts as long as those devices i would be very happy. I'm just not willing to spend a lot of money on a watch to have to buy another one in a years time.
 
So if it doesn't run iOS 8 its useless? My wife and daughter still use an iPad 2 daily on iOS 7 and it meets their needs for e-mail, FaceTime, surfing and Netflix viewing fine.
 
It's not an idevice, I think the product cycles will be longer than a year. It also has a replaceable battery, leading one to believe the product cycles will be longer than the norm.
 
I think it will really come down to battery technology more than anything. Of course Apple wants to go thinner and lighter, but surely they want to at least maintain, or better, improve existing battery life first.
 
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