IF Apple Watch upgradeable how will Apple implement?

[Luba]

I'm thinking maybe the Edition will be be upgradeable as there won't be many of them and Apple be more hands on with Edition customers. I think there's no way the Sport will be upgradeable as there would be too many of them and can't imagine logistical how they will pull that off. But how about the stainless steel Apple Watch?

And if the stainless steel is upgradeable, I'm thinking you would trade-in gen 1 for gen 2, while for the Edition the Apple Store would actually switch the processors out. Or perhaps Edition customers would mail them in?

Just trying to imagine how Apple would implement an upgrade program and whether it would make sense for them.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Wishful thinking that it'll be upgradable won't make it more likely to happen. Apple would have announced this at the Watch event if it were a possibility.

The fact that the Editon models will become obsolete in a few short years is exactly what makes them desirable for showing off wealth and that's who they're targeting (the nouveau riche).

 

[bunnicula]

Wishful thinking that it'll be upgradable won't make it more likely to happen. Apple would have announced this at the Watch event if it were a possibility.

The fact that the Editon models will become obsolete in a few short years is exactly what makes them desirable for showing off wealth and that's who they're targeting (the nouveau riche).

I agree. What says "I have MONEY!" more than a smart watch that you'll need to replace within 2-3 years?

 

[MisterMe]

I'm thinking maybe the Edition will be be upgradeable as there won't be many of them and Apple be more hands on with Edition customers. I think there's no way the Sport will be upgradeable as there would be too many of them and can't imagine logistical how they will pull that off. But how about the stainless steel Apple Watch?

And if the stainless steel is upgradeable, I'm thinking you would trade-in gen 1 for gen 2, while for the Edition the Apple Store would actually switch the processors out. Or perhaps Edition customers would mail them in?

Just trying to imagine how Apple would implement an upgrade program and whether it would make sense for them.

The only thing that needs to be upgraded on any Watch--be it a Sport, a SS Watch, or Edition--are the internals. The internals are identical across the product line. I believe that the Edition will be upgradeable. As every other model's internals are identical to the Edition's internals, then it necessarily follows that all models of the Watch will be upgradeable.

 

[cmChimera]

Wishful thinking that it'll be upgradable won't make it more likely to happen. Apple would have announced this at the Watch event if it were a possibility.

The fact that the Editon models will become obsolete in a few short years is exactly what makes them desirable for showing off wealth and that's who they're targeting (the nouveau riche).

Or they wouldn't announce it at the event, so people could focus on the product itself, rather than a planned follow up.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Or they wouldn't announce it at the event, so people could focus on the product itself, rather than a planned follow up.

Not really any incentive to focus on a $10,000-17,000 product unless it's upgradable for many of us. Everybody other than the nouveau riche would just dismiss it entirely.

 

[Julien]

The only thing that needs to be upgraded on any Watch--be it a Sport, a SS Watch, or Edition--are the internals.....

What do you base this on? Apple is reported to be feverishly working on new sensors that they wanted to be included in the original Watch. One or more will almost certainly be implemented in the next gen. requiring new hardware too.

 

[dacreativeguy]

Apple would have announced this at the Watch event if it were a possibility.

Why would they announce it now? Upgrades are irrelevant at this time as nobody has one to upgrade. If it is upgradeable, they'll make that info available when the next version comes out.

I'm betting on a 2 year case cycle like iPhone with possibly a 1 year electronics cycle. Editions will certainly be upgradable.. they HAVE to be! Sports and probably SS will not. You have to expect Apple to charge at least $350 for an upgrade, so it doesn't make sense for the cheaper housings.

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What do you base this on? Apple is reported to be feverishly working on new sensors that they wanted to be included in the original Watch. One or more will almost certainly be implemented in the next gen. requiring new hardware too.

The sensor circle on the back looks to be a pressure fitting, giving access to the electronics from the back. New sensors can be incorporated into the existing openings.

 

[Julien]

....The sensor circle on the back looks to be a pressure fitting, giving access to the electronics from the back. New sensors can be incorporated into the existing openings.

I understand that and have said in the past it might be an option (though more doubtful now). I was responding to a post that stated that only the internals needed to be upgraded. A new sensor pack would be external hardware required as per my post.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Why would they announce it now? Upgrades are irrelevant at this time as nobody has one to upgrade. If it is upgradeable, they'll make that info available when the next version comes out.

I'm betting on a 2 year case cycle like iPhone with possibly a 1 year electronics cycle. Editions will certainly be upgradable.. they HAVE to be! Sports and probably SS will not. You have to expect Apple to charge at least $350 for an upgrade, so it doesn't make sense for the cheaper housings.

Whether or not something is upgradable at a given price point is a huge incentive (or disincentive) for the initial purchase.

 

[MisterMe]

What do you base this on? Apple is reported to be feverishly working on new sensors that they wanted to be included in the original Watch. One or more will almost certainly be implemented in the next gen. requiring new hardware too.

Sensors are part of the internals. New sensors would be the reason that the internals would need to be replaced.

 

[cmChimera]

Not really any incentive to focus on a $10,000-17,000 product unless it's upgradable for many of us. Everybody other than the nouveau riche would just dismiss it entirely.

The Apple watch starts at $349.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

The Apple watch starts at $349.

Yes, but many people were hoping that the Edition models are upgradable given the price tag, whereas they don't necessarily believe the lower models would be upgradable.

 

[cmChimera]

Yes, but many people were hoping that the Edition models are upgradable given the price tag, whereas they don't necessarily believe the lower models would be upgradable.

I think the steel and edition would be more likely to be upgradeable than the sport.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I think the steel and edition would be more likely to be upgradeable than the sport.

They would have announced it then. Paying $359 for a disposable watch vs. $549 for an upgradable steel one plays a huge factor into making one's purchase decision.

 

[MisterMe]

They would have announced it then. Paying $359 for a disposable watch vs. $549 for an upgradable steel one plays a huge factor into making one's purchase decision.

Two flaws in your logic:

1. No Watch is available for sale yet.
2. Save additional bands and bracelets, there are no upgrades or updates available for the Watch.

Apple has ample time yet to announce how it will handle updates.

 

[whtrbt7]

I don't think the Watch will be upgrade able at all. This includes the Edition models out there. The watch is already on the "cheaper" side of things when you consider the build quality. I don't think anyone except techies would want an upgrade able watch either. Think about how long you need to wear such a watch and you'll quickly wish that they release a new model every 1-2 years. Even those that wear a Rolex or other mechanical watch as a daily driver would need a replacement in 5-10 years due to how many scratches and daily wear and tear it experiences.

If there was a way to upgrade the watch, the board could probably slide into the case decently easily through the bottom hole in the case where the sensors are currently situated. The sensor array and induction loop could also be replaced this way along with the battery. I'm hoping for automatic movement/kinetic charging in the future but I would still probably buy a new Watch when it does happen.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Two flaws in your logic:

1. No Watch is available for sale yet.
2. Save additional bands and bracelets, there are no upgrades or updates available for the Watch.

Apple has ample time yet to announce how it will handle updates.

It makes no sense not to announce that at least the Editon models are upgradable and stir up unnecessary biggest s***-fit in the history of Apple versus the standard tech industry s***-fits.

 

[camtechman56]

I'm thinking maybe the Edition will be be upgradeable as there won't be many of them and Apple be more hands on with Edition customers. I think there's no way the Sport will be upgradeable as there would be too many of them and can't imagine logistical how they will pull that off. But how about the stainless steel Apple Watch?

And if the stainless steel is upgradeable, I'm thinking you would trade-in gen 1 for gen 2, while for the Edition the Apple Store would actually switch the processors out. Or perhaps Edition customers would mail them in?

Just trying to imagine how Apple would implement an upgrade program and whether it would make sense for them.

I disagree, Apple has already said that the battery could be replaced, I forget where I read this because I have viewed so many sites. But as the battery can be replaced and it will take up most of the room in the watch, then there should be a way to upgrade the processor also on all models. Just my thoughts

 

[Sun Baked]

Don't know about upgrades, for some reason i see them advertising the new watch that is "thinner, longer battery life, or has more sensors" as the evolution beyond mere "more memory, GPU/CPU" watch upgrades.

 

[MisterMe]

I disagree, Apple has already said that the battery could be replaced, I forget where I read this because I have viewed so many sites. But as the battery can be replaced and it will take up most of the room in the watch, then there should be a way to upgrade the processor also on all models. Just my thoughts

You are absolutely correct. You can upgrade your $500 Mac mini for years via free software upgrades. You can upgrade your $200 iPhone 6 for years via free software upgrades. Those who assert that the Watch will not be upgradeable believe that Apple plans to force the owners of $17,000 Editions to buy new watches to avoid obsolescence while they receive free software upgrades for their $200 iPhone 6 that is paired with the Edition.

Apple has not announced its plans for updating the Watch, but the prospect of no upgrades makes no sense.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

You are absolutely correct. You can upgrade your $500 Mac mini for years via free software upgrades. You can upgrade your $200 iPhone 6 for years via free software upgrades. Those who assert that the Watch will not be upgradeable believe that Apple plans to force the owners of $17,000 Editions to buy new watches to avoid obsolescence while they receive free software upgrades for their $200 iPhone 6 that is paired with the Edition.

Apple has not announced its plans for updating the Watch, but the prospect of no upgrades makes no sense.

Nobody is saying Apple won't provide free software upgrades for the Watch. We're talking about hardware upgrade to the next generation.

 

[Luba]

Perhaps it wasn't announced because even Apple hasn't decided what to do. But if they do decide to have AW be upgradeable, what's your guess on how they would go about it?

Wishful thinking that it'll be upgradable won't make it more likely to happen. Apple would have announced this at the Watch event if it were a possibility.

The fact that the Editon models will become obsolete in a few short years is exactly what makes them desirable for showing off wealth and that's who they're targeting (the nouveau riche).

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If it's as easy as a battery replacement, then you predict upgrading would mean simply bringing your AW to the Apple Store?

I disagree, Apple has already said that the battery could be replaced, I forget where I read this because I have viewed so many sites. But as the battery can be replaced and it will take up most of the room in the watch, then there should be a way to upgrade the processor also on all models. Just my thoughts

 

[camtechman56]

Perhaps it wasn't announced because even Apple hasn't decided what to do. But if they do decide to have AW be upgradeable, what's your guess on how they would go about it?





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If it's as easy as a battery replacement, then you predict upgrading would mean simply bringing your AW to the Apple Store?

Well I think the first upgrades will be battery, processor, and maybe they will offer watches made of other materials. Then in 2 years maybe 3 they will make bigger changes. this way they will have a chance for R&D to come up with ideas, and also see how the watch works out in sales. While this is going on they will work on improvements to their other known money makers

 

[cmChimera]

They would have announced it then. Paying $359 for a disposable watch vs. $549 for an upgradable steel one plays a huge factor into making one's purchase decision.

It's generally a bad strategy to promote a product by talking about the next version. Additionally Apple may not be ready to announce it, since they haven't worked out every detail yet. Also, ultimately one would save money buying the second generation rather than buying the first and then upgrading it. It doesn't do Apple any favors to tell the consumer that.