Kuo: No Apple Watch Ultra 3 Next Year?

[geogecko]

Echo the comments here on the Ultra, should be a multiple year span product like the higher end iPads. The watches don’t benefit much from processing power, so the Ultra can just be seen as the highest end watch, with all the latest features. Even if a regular Apple Watch was released the following year, it could follow in a slightly more upgraded SE version. Ultra should have something to differentiate it from the rest, besides battery life and screen size.

Regarding the luxury watch… have you owned a real one? Why would anyone pay $20-50k (other than you were filthy rich) to own a paperweight in 5 years? A Rolex or other high end mechanical watch is not something that usually becomes obsolete.

 

[kemal]

Seems to me if Apple put an upgraded processor in a Watch 10, they should do the same to the Ultra and call it a 3....with some new gimmick, of course.

If not, the product will get an extra year of support. Good. Love my Ultra 2.

 

[Antes]

im sure they will release something even if it’s the same Ultra but different color.
if they don’t then I’m happy to report that my Ultra 1 that I got day one still has 100% maximum capacity. I’m impressed.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

Ultra 2 was pretty much a pointless upgrade. Will be happy with my Ultra 1 for another couple years at least unless some major features come sooner.

Do large groups of people really upgrade their watch every year? If so...why? For a long time I could understand it with phones when the market was still forming itself and there was generally a good amount of innovation year over year. But even that has settled down to the point where phones should really last for most people 2-3 years before an upgrade is considered. For watches, tablets and computers the window would in theory be further.

In my eyes the Ultra 2 isn't for someone who bought a new watch last year. It's for the person who bought a watch 4-5 years ago.

 

[spartan1967]

Apple should try enter the high-end watch market instead.

You got crazy people who spend $50k on a Rolex which tells only the time, while it is less accurate than a digital watch and needs regular maintenance.

I don’t have the data, but I won’t be surprised Apple is the fastest growing watch maker in the world right now.

Would be interesting for Apple to make a $20k Watch of the highest end materials to compete against Rolex.

Apple is still a tech company & probably took a hit with those 1st gen. gold editions pretty quick considering obsolete technology.

 

[AVEGA]

i just don’t see the need to release another one in a year . Maybe it’s just me but all the recent watch updates have been boring and fairly minor. I have 4th gen and I haven’t been tempted by any of the new watches. I hope 10th generation next year is something special.

 

[bobcomer]

I know I wont be buying a new Ultra anytime in the next 3 or 4 years. I just got an Ultra 2 after all and I'm NOT happy at all. I can't read it in the dark and until that gets fixed, I wont be buying anything Apple. The watch has been my favorite apple product for a long time, until now anyway. I don't particularly like WatchOS 10 either.

 

[MrGimper]

Doesn't make sense considering it will be the 10 year anniversary of the watch......

 

[bibby]

I wish they implement it for all other products. iPhones need this the most.

 

[Fuzzball84]

If there is no Apple Watch Ultra refresh next year, then Apple is neglecting this device.

How can people maintain their workflows with one year or older Apple Watches.

DaVinci Resolve barely works on the first gen, the second gen is ok, but could be better.

Screen size and input device support are also other concerns amongst those using Apple Watch as their main device.

:/

 

[HiVolt]

As we’ve seen, launching a new watch every year is kind of pointless. Two years would be a better schedule.

I agree, the features introduced each year are tiny, and prior to this S9 chip, the last 3 watches had the same one.

 

[crazytrain]

Could see them going to a 2 year cycle on each version, alternating, so we get an AW upgrade next year, then AWU the year after, then back to the AW the following year etc. Like what seems to be most people on here, I don't upgrade anywhere like every year - got the first AW then 3 then 6 and not see a reason to upgrade from that yet. Every other year and alternating the two versions would make sense to me...

 

[Red Oak]

Why continue to quote and give attention to this clown?

 

[supremedesigner]

Worst rumor I've ever read.

 

[CordovaLark]

Perhaps Apple is more focused on the 10th Anniversary of the regular Apple watch. Has to be a "go big, or go home" moment.

 

[Marx55]

Apple Watch innovations to boost sales:

• No iPhone dependency. Ideally, standalone, although it could have Mac dependency.
• 12 MP camera to read QR-codes and more.
• Safari as standard visible application (not hidden as now is).

 

[Remy149]

As we’ve seen, launching a new watch every year is kind of pointless. Two years would be a better schedule.

It’s not pointless most people keep their watches for a few years. However when it’s time to upgrade most consumers don’t want to buy a product that’s steady a year old

 

[Remy149]

Ultra 2 was pretty much a pointless upgrade. Will be happy with my Ultra 1 for another couple years at least unless some major features come sooner.

They don’t expect you to upgrade annually. The uktra 2 is for someone like myself still on a model a few years old. I didn’t get the ultra 1 but most likely getting the new one around Christmas

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Doesn't make sense considering it will be the 10 year anniversary of the watch......

Aside from the 20th Anniversary Mac (26 years ago), Apple doesn't care about anniversaries.

 

[msackey]

As we’ve seen, launching a new watch every year is kind of pointless. Two years would be a better schedule.

It would be good not to have devices refreshed so often when the improvements are minuscule and not fulfilling a need.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Has to be a "go big, or go home" moment.

No it doesn't. They could do a minor spec update like they have for years, and it will be just fine.

 

[Remy149]

It would be good not to have devices refreshed so often when the improvements are minuscule and not fulfilling a need.

They refresh devices every year because most people are on 2-4 year upgrade cycles. When it’s time to upgrade most will want something that was recently released.

 

[spazzcat]

I know I wont be buying a new Ultra anytime in the next 3 or 4 years. I just got an Ultra 2 after all and I'm NOT happy at all. I can't read it in the dark and until that gets fixed, I wont be buying anything Apple. The watch has been my favorite apple product for a long time, until now anyway. I don't particularly like WatchOS 10 either.

While this is a minor inconvenience, I'm sure they will address it soon. They are basically showing off how low they can make the screen in the dark. Personally, I think my U2 is the best AW I have owned.

 

[whoami]

Apple Watch innovations to boost sales:

• No iPhone dependency. Ideally, standalone, although it could have Mac dependency.
• 12 MP camera to read QR-codes and more.
• Safari as standard visible application (not hidden as now is).

THIS. I just want a simple camera so I don't have to carry my phone at all when running, cycling, hiking, etc...

 

[spazzcat]

Apple Watch innovations to boost sales:

• No iPhone dependency. Ideally, standalone, although it could have Mac dependency.
• 12 MP camera to read QR-codes and more.
• Safari as standard visible application (not hidden as now is).

You forgot 30 days of battery life too... They will never to standalone as it locks you into owning an iPhone, a camera would make the thing even bigger.