Upgraded Apple Watch 1 Models Said to Launch Alongside Apple Watch 2 Later This Year

[PinkyMacGodess]

If you're going to take rumours as fact, at least include all rumours.

It looks like we'll have iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, iPhone SE.

Then: Apple Watch 1S and Apple Watch 2.

Don't assume the worst based on the worst interpretation of rumours.

Apple seems to be repeating the same mistake they did back before 'The Second Coming'. They got far too fragmented. Had too many things 'cooking', and had a huge inventory of stuff no one wanted.

Now that they have all but leaked that a New Watch is coming, the 'old' on isn't going to be selling as well. Whatever.

And the watch band issue they use is an elegant solution. Why not make it the 'Gold Standard' for all of their watches in the future.
[doublepost=1470686595][/doublepost]

What about the analysists and supply chain sources which say there won't be a separate Pro model?

When has common sense ever stopped an Apple rumour...

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

The well-connected analyst expects another Apple Watch price cut once the new models are launched, but he did not specify whether the reduction will apply to existing first-generation models, upgraded first-generation models, Apple Watch 2 models, or some combination of the three lineups. Apple lowered the starting price of the Apple Watch Sport to $299 in March 2016, a savings of $50 compared to the device's initial $349 launch price in April 2015.

I can't imagine Apple selling an Watch 1, Watch 1a, and Watch 2 all simultaneously. Therefore if this rumor is true ( or honestly even if there is no Watch 1a) I would see the following pricing

Watch 1a: $249/$299
Watch 2: $349/$399

If Apple wanted to go really crazy competitive they could maybe chop an additional $50 off across the board, but I don't see that as likely.

 

[Mac 128]

I can't imagine Apple selling an Watch 1, Watch 1a, and Watch 2 all simultaneously. Therefore if this rumor is true ( or honestly even if there is no Watch 1a) I would see the following pricing

Watch 1a: $249/$299
Watch 2: $349/$399

If Apple wanted to go really crazy competitive they could maybe chop an additional $50 off across the board, but I don't see that as likely.

Except watches are not Macs. They're fashion accessories, which are also functional accessories for the iPhone.

They don't necessarily need to have the same lineup of products the average Swiss watch maker does, but one size fits all doesn't really work in this area. There's no reason to discontinue older watch models, in the same way that the Swiss watch industry keeps many favorite designs around for decades while releasing new watch designs and features annually. Sometimes those new models get discontinued, others migrate new features into old standards.

If Apple is serious about getting into this world, they'll have to compete accordingly, regardless if the Watch currently does more than a Swiss timepiece.

 

[Johnny907]

Five bucks says this is going to be just like what they did with the iPad 2 when the iPad 3 launched: die shrink processor and a couple other tweaks to save cost per unit but otherwise functioned identically, for a discounted price.
If these start at $199 and Watch 2's start at $299, I'd be ok with that.

 

[thekeyring]

Apple seems to be repeating the same mistake they did back before 'The Second Coming'. They got far too fragmented. Had too many things 'cooking', and had a huge inventory of stuff no one wanted.

Now that they have all but leaked that a New Watch is coming, the 'old' on isn't going to be selling as well. Whatever.

And the watch band issue they use is an elegant solution. Why not make it the 'Gold Standard' for all of their watches in the future.
[doublepost=1470686595][/doublepost]

When has common sense ever stopped an Apple rumour...

Interesting point. However they are releasing new stuff - it's not all rumours and so substance. AI in iOS 10, the new TV UI/UX with the Apple TV 4 being two key examples.

 

[Johnny907]

I can't imagine Apple selling an Watch 1, Watch 1a, and Watch 2 all simultaneously. Therefore if this rumor is true ( or honestly even if there is no Watch 1a) I would see the following pricing

Watch 1a: $249/$299
Watch 2: $349/$399

If Apple wanted to go really crazy competitive they could maybe chop an additional $50 off across the board, but I don't see that as likely.

I paid $249 for my 38mm Space Black Sport last September. You can find it at Best Buy for that price every couple of weeks. Even if Apple is arrogant enough to keep the starting price at 249, they'll be on sale for 199 by Black Friday.

 

[FelixDraconis]

KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid.

If you're going to release a watch, we don't need a bunch of different models that are only slightly different, making the whole thing confusing. Release the best watch you can execute on. Period.

 

[magicschoolbus]

I really don't think Apple understands this segment. Apple should make a fitness tracker similar to FitBit that gets users in the game. I don't want a smart watch - honestly a fitness tracker is just fine. The watch just does to much. I think Apple should make a band competitive to the fitbit and then upsell from there on the watch.

 

[kaneda]

I guess Apple watch is selling like hotcake they are updating it every year, but not their computers.

 

[admob71]

I wish they'd release Apple Watch sales.

Can i ask why , does.your opinion of the watch change depending on how many units it sold. Can you just not enjoy it for what it is..

 

[Chair-Sama]

From the company that brought you the iPhone 5s reboot: the iPhone SE... Comes the revolutionary Apple Watch 2: featuring the Apple Watch 1 with some improved stuff...

Tickets to the unveiling selling fast!

lol.
"we want a smaller phone but with all the same stuff in it"
"new iPhones so ugly, iPhone 4/5 were best"

Apple: "well despite just releasing 2 new phones and coming out with 2 new iPhones later, here is what you asked for! A smaller phone, same good internals, a pretty great camera, oh and we even made it look like the iPhone 5s you all say you loved so much, and hey look, more colors and you can use your old case too!"

Customer: "look at this, its a joke! its small, and has the same stuff as the 6s? nothing new? and it looks like the iPhone 5s? horrible. its not what we wanted!"


^^^ watching this happen these past 3 years has been fun haha.

funny watching people say one thing, and when they get something pretty close, its not even close to good enough.

people said they hate the new big phones and think their 5/5s were perfect if only it had a better processor and camera, they got just that, but oh wait, its all apples fault lol.
Apple literally found a way to get the internal hardware of a 4.7in/5.5inch phone, and cram it down into the 5s, without taking any more space then the OLS hardware did. created new colors for the casings, keep the same speakers and everything else and even added a slightly better battery. yep must have been easy lol.
[doublepost=1470692548][/doublepost]

This is the New Apple.... things can get a lot worse.. A lot if Tim isn't ousted ASAP!

why don't we just oust time and make you ceo then, I'm sure your extensive business knowledge will keep apple afloat right?

 

[Glideslope]

Introducing the Apple redux package: the iPhone 7 (which is an iPhone 6SS) and an upgraded Apple Watch 1.

Yup, starting to resemble McDonalds rolling out the Shamrock Shake every year. 16oz, 24oz+, 32oz Pro. Whip Cream on the +. Whip Cream and Cherry on the Pro.

 

[5105973]

lol.
"we want a smaller phone but with all the same stuff in it"
"new iPhones so ugly, iPhone 4/5 were best"

Apple: "well despite just releasing 2 new phones and coming out with 2 new iPhones later, here is what you asked for! A smaller phone, same good internals, a pretty great camera, oh and we even made it look like the iPhone 5s you all say you loved so much, and hey look, more colors and you can use your old case too!"

Customer: "look at this, its a joke! its small, and has the same stuff as the 6s? nothing new? and it looks like the iPhone 5s? horrible. its not what we wanted!"


^^^ watching this happen these past 3 years has been fun haha.

funny watching people say one thing, and when they get something pretty close, its not even close to good enough.

people said they hate the new big phones and think their 5/5s were perfect if only it had a better processor and camera, they got just that, but oh wait, its all apples fault lol.
Apple literally found a way to get the internal hardware of a 4.7in/5.5inch phone, and cram it down into the 5s, without taking any more space then the OLS hardware did. created new colors for the casings, keep the same speakers and everything else and even added a slightly better battery. yep must have been easy lol.
[doublepost=1470692548][/doublepost]
why don't we just oust time and make you ceo then, I'm sure your extensive business knowledge will keep apple afloat right?

Actually those of us who got the SEs love them for the most part and have been singing the SE's praises quite generously on this forum. Any customer dissatisfaction was well expressed by people who gave it a fair try and found it lacking for their needs or who ran into quality control issues. The majority of the snark and dismissive comments came mostly people who had no want or need for such a small form factor to begin with. The SE has been selling well and Tim Cook acknowledged that its popularity took Apple by surprise. It was hard to get for quite some time after its release.

We all complain about and go bonkers over rumors. Rumors are an easy target because so many of them turn out to be outlandish or sneak peeks at mockups done for various purposes. It's fun and cathartic to weep, wail and predict doom and gloom over rumors. Especially now, when Apple has been in something akin to a boring tedious depressing holding pattern as it builds out and makes investments that hopefully will pay off huge for all of us in the future with products that wow us again.

Just please don't make a drinking game out of finding posts that insist Tim Cook must go in each thread. You will get alcohol poisoning.

At each actual product release there has been a fair amount of enthusiasm and a lot of well written critiques and commentary and useful advice among the posts. These balance out the craziness we exhibit over the rumors. Laugh at us or laugh with us, but do laugh!

 

[PBRsg]

Actually those of us who got the SEs love them for the most part and have been singing the SE's praises quite generously on this forum.

I think it was a bit of a problem releasing the 5SE without the 3D Touch a few months before the release of iOS 10 which significantly expands the use of 3D Touch. I understand that they re-used the old screens without the 3D Touch feature and it may not have been cost effective to develop a new one just for the 5SE model, but it feels a bit disjointed in terms of overall strategy.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

I wonder if they will also release another $10k+ Apple Watch 2

 

[5105973]

I think it was a bit of a problem releasing the 5SE without the 3D Touch a few months before the release of iOS 10 which significantly expands the use of 3D Touch. I understand that they re-used the old screens without the 3D Touch feature and it may not have been cost effective to develop a new one just for the 5SE model, but it feels a bit disjointed in terms of overall strategy.

Perhaps, though with such a small screen, the appeal of the 3-D touch pop up windows may have limited appeal anyway. Time will tell. I intend to test iOS 10 out on both my SE and my 6S Plus and see what I'm missing in making the SE my daily driver.

 

[44267547]

KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid.

If you're going to release a watch, we don't need a bunch of different models that are only slightly different, making the whole thing confusing. Release the best watch you can execute on. Period.

As of now, the Watch only has two lucrative models in the Sport and Stainless. Even if they release a Gen 2 Watch, they will most likely have an updated Gen Sport and Stainless (Which I Own), discounting the originals.

Having the first Gen Watch discounted would allow others who may have been interested or unable to afford the Watch to purchase it, rather then buying the latest and greatest with features they may or may not need or appreciate.

But releasing the 'Best' Watch is yet to come and still evolving.

 

[TheMactrix]

This makes a lot of sense since they can reduce the price further on the original
I'm glad that they will be fixing it's biggest problem (speed) at the same time.

I know that I am probably in the minority... but after getting an excellent price on a 42 mm Apple watch sport and using it for 3 weeks... I don't see a lot of problems with it. I know it is not a CRAY sitting on your wrist. It does a lot of stuff pretty well... and it will only get better when WatchOS 3.0 comes out in September. Caching the x number of frequently used programs in memory will help the access. In spite of these 2 new models...the old ones are not relegated to the trash heap yet.

People are looking for the "Calling Dick Tracy" facetime watch... yet... I think my Apple watch rocks. I was in the elevator with hands full yesterday... I raised my wrist, told Siri to call my Dad. I walked out to my car talking to him on the watch... and used my Key FOB to start my car. When I opened the door, the Apple Watch had handed off the call to my car's Bluetooth. It was seamless... and something out of Science Fiction only a few years ago.

I think people get all fired up at the Vaporware aspect of things. All of that new Apple Watch goodness is great...if you want to pay a premium price... but then again... you folks bought the 20K gold version didn't you. I bought a generic Milanese loop band for $19.95...really nice.... not the Apple 200$ one...but very nice. Bought a normal black Stainless Steal band for my Space Gray Sport version... same price.

I grew up in a world where I earned my own money, spend my own money... and things did not get handed to me. I like my Apple Watch... and will like it more with WatchOS 3.0. Don't hate... when 95% of you will never, ever, buy one.

Just my thoughts...

 

[Keerock]

I can't imagine Apple selling an Watch 1, Watch 1a, and Watch 2 all simultaneously. Therefore if this rumor is true ( or honestly even if there is no Watch 1a) I would see the following pricing

Watch 1a: $249/$299
Watch 2: $349/$399

If Apple wanted to go really crazy competitive they could maybe chop an additional $50 off across the board, but I don't see that as likely.

Let's not forget about developing economies where Apple has been selling old models for years.
[doublepost=1470756915][/doublepost]

I really don't think Apple understands this segment. Apple should make a fitness tracker similar to FitBit that gets users in the game. I don't want a smart watch - honestly a fitness tracker is just fine. The watch just does to much. I think Apple should make a band competitive to the fitbit and then upsell from there on the watch.

I believe that Apple will be selling a fitness tracker only. Ultimately this will be the slap band that many folks envisioned in the "iWatch" many years ago. Slim, flexible, limited to telling temporal, location, weather and performance data.

Apple Track™/Apple Tracks™. (Keerock Trademark 8/9/16)

 

[FliccC]

Are there any rumors of an Apple Watch which is independent of the iPhone?

The only reason for me to buy a smartwatch would be if I can finally get rid of my smartphone!

 

[Abazigal]

I guess Apple watch is selling like hotcake they are updating it every year, but not their computers.

Not really.

The Apple Watch is a very new product, and so there is a ton of improvements which can be made to it. I am pretty sure Apple has a long laundry list of hardware and software features they want to see in the Apple Watch, and it's only a matter of time before these features get engineered in.

Compared to a product as mature as the Mac. We haven't really seen much progress with the new Intel processors, so there likely won't be much improvements to a Mac's performance even if Apple did update it with the latest chips anyways. That's probably why the Mac line hasn't seen an update in a while. There just isn't anything worth updating it with (yet).

 

[NavySEAL6]

Please don't change the band connector. Please.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Can i ask why , does.your opinion of the watch change depending on how many units it sold. Can you just not enjoy it for what it is..

yes it does.

 

[admob71]

yes it does.

Very interesting.. so if it sold 5 million, you like it maybe 5 out of 10,.but if it sold 10 million you have gone up to a 7 out of 10. Awesome..what's the sales figures that would give you ultimate satisfaction?

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Very interesting.. so if it sold 5 million, you like it maybe 5 out of 10,.but if it sold 10 million you have gone up to a 7 out of 10. Awesome..what's the sales figures that would give you ultimate satisfaction?

enough sales to be shown as a separate sales figure.