I think Apple missed an opportunity with the Watch

[OllyW]

Apple has never been interested in upgrades, they would rather just sell you a new one.

I would imagine the cost of disassembling the old watches and upgrading with the new components wouldn't be far off the cost of manufacturing a new one, especially on the cheapest aluminium models. It would have made more economic sense with the expensive gold edition models but they seem to have been quietly swept under the rug and quickly forgot about.

 

[dotnet]

The SE is more than just swapping out the CPU. From what Jeff Williams said it sounds like the Series 1 watch is exactly the same as 1st gen watch except for the S2 chip.

Series 1 does not get an S2 chip. It has an S1 chip with 2 cores, kind of like S1.5, or, as Apple calls it, S1P.

 

[NT1440]

It doesn't seem unreasonable to me that they aren't upgrading previous owners, but I do understand your concern. I also feel Series 2 is what the original should have been but either way I do like my watch and want the new one. I am going to hold off and see what reviews say.

If you can disable GPS (Something I don't care about) and get a better battery life I may fork over the money.

So for you (seeing as the GPS is irrelevant in your decision here) the differentiator between getting a Series 1 (new CPU) and 2 is mainly the waterproofing correct?

Nice Avatar.

 

[maflynn]

I think Apple missed an opportunity with the watch by not offering some sort of upgrade or trade in program.

That would have been nice, and I would have been more likely to upgrade to (probably the Nike edition), as it stands, I'm probably going to stand pat and not spend 400 dollars on the Series 2.

 

[AtheistP3ace]

So for you (seeing as the GPS is irrelevant in your decision here) the differentiator between getting a Series 1 (new CPU) and 2 is mainly the waterproofing correct?

Nice Avatar.

Thanks!! I see you have the same only zoomed in a bit more. Good stuff.

Well to be honest, no. The waterproof sounds nice but I can't imagine really jumping in shower with it on or my pool. I am mostly interested in the new processor and the possibility of better battery life when disabling GPS (although the more I think about it, I doubt the GPS is on all the time anyway so will disabling really improve battery that much, doubt it but who knows).

 

[Rogifan]

Apple has never been interested in upgrades, they would rather just sell you a new one.

I would imagine the cost of disassembling the old watches and upgrading with the new components wouldn't be far off the cost of manufacturing a new one, especially on the cheapest aluminium models. It would have made more economic sense with the expensive gold edition models but they seem to have been quietly swept under the rug and quickly forgot about.

OK but surely Apple could offer some recycle program where you could turn in your existing watch (sans band) for a new watch (sans band). Sure I could buy a new watch swap bands and try and sell it on my own but some kind of trade in/recycling program would be easier. And you'd think Apple being so concerned about the environment would be all over that.

 

[OllyW]

OK but surely Apple could offer some recycle program where you could turn in your existing watch (sans band) for a new watch (sans band). Sure I could buy a new watch swap bands and try and sell it on my own but some kind of trade in/recycling program would be easier. And you'd think Apple being so concerned about the environment would be all over that.

I'm sure they would still rather just sell you a new watch.

I don't think existing Apple Watch owners are the main target for this upgrade, I suspect they are more focused on the half a billion iPhone owners who still haven't jumped on board.

 

[fischersd]

OK but surely Apple could offer some recycle program where you could turn in your existing watch (sans band) for a new watch (sans band). Sure I could buy a new watch swap bands and try and sell it on my own but some kind of trade in/recycling program would be easier. And you'd think Apple being so concerned about the environment would be all over that.

So, you want $50 for your old watch? Look at their iPhone trade-in program. You get nothing close to market value for your trade-in.
Sell your watch on e-bay/craigslist, get a new watch.

 

[Rogifan]

I'm sure they would still rather just sell you a new watch.

I don't think existing Apple Watch owners are the main target for this upgrade, I suspect they are more focused on the half a billion iPhone owners who still haven't jumped on board.

That's what I said. Sell me the Watch with bands and give me a discount for trading in my old Watch.
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So, you want $50 for your old watch? Look at their iPhone trade-in program. You get nothing close to market value for your trade-in.
Sell your watch on e-bay/craigslist, get a new watch.

Are these things really selling on e-bay/craigslist? I can't see Watch being as popular for resale as an iPhone. I would totally take less for it to not have to deal with the hassle of re-selling it myself.

 

[fischersd]

Are these things really selling on e-bay/craigslist? I can't see Watch being as popular for resale as an iPhone. I would totally take less for it to not have to deal with the hassle of re-selling it myself.

Well, up here we have kijiji (much more popular than Craigslist in Canada).
We have the first generation AW - this is likely the first time you're going to see a lot of them for sale. (so, the sooner you sell yours, the more you'll get for it).
Once there's hundreds on there, a lot of people will be cutting their price to unload them quicker.

 

[OllyW]

Well, up here we have kijiji (much more popular than Craigslist in Canada).
We have the first generation AW - this is likely the first time you're going to see a lot of them for sale. (so, the sooner you sell yours, the more you'll get for it).
Once there's hundreds on there, a lot of people will be cutting their price to unload them quicker.

Especially as the old stock is being sold off cheap.

Best Buy selling Gen1s for cheap!

 

[jasie02]

Here is problem, if they really go from zero to 2nd place watch maker, in turn of revenue, why are they offering other way to cut their revenue?
Just like all iPhone US price now. There is no longer any discount deal through carrier, unless you are part of elite business account, but it does not and will not stop people buying iPhone at full price.
Apple will likely not offer any trade-in for AW, unless they could not hand on to 2nd most revenue watch maker position, and they have no intention to take on Rolex, as they are in different market and league.