When will the Apple Watch (2) Second Generation be released [MERGED]

[jafacake310596]

Although nobody has even got hold of their Apple Watch order yet, I was wondering when do fellow Apple Watch customers think Apple will announce/release the second generation Apple watch? Do you think it'll follow the following:

A) Announced AND released in Spetember 2015
B) Announced (only) in Spetember 2015 released in April 2016
C) Announced March/April 2016 AND released April 2016
D) Scrap the one year cycle for the Apple Watch and go for a two year cycle seeing changes begin in 2017 (unlikely)

Although this may sound like a simple one, there's a lot to think about and to take into consideration, so I'd love to hear others thoughts!

 

[El3ctronics]

18 month cycle. Can't tell you how I know that though.

 

[scwinsett]

Although nobody has even got hold of their Apple Watch order yet, I was wondering when do fellow Apple Watch customers think Apple will announce/release the second generation Apple watch? Do you think it'll follow the following:

A) Announced AND released in Spetember 2015
B) Announced (only) in Spetember 2015 released in April 2016
C) Announced March/April 2016 AND released April 2016
D) Scrap the one year cycle for the Apple Watch and go for a two year cycle seeing changes begin in 2017 (unlikely)

Although this may sound like a simple one, there's a lot to think about and to take into consideration, so I'd love to hear others thoughts!

numerous sources have indicated this won't see a refresh as often as the other categories

 

[TimUSCA]

18 month cycle. Can't tell you how I know that though.

We all know how you know that. You found it in your butt, where you pulled it out of.

 

[El3ctronics]

We all know how you know that. You found it in your butt, where you pulled it out of.

Maybe, maybe not

 

[TimUSCA]

numerous sources have indicated this won't see a refresh as often as the other categories

While I think that's probably true, keep in mind that those sources are 100% speculation.

 

[pragmatous]

Look at how often the Mac pros are updated?

 

[bumpylumpy]

Look at how often the Mac pros are updated?

I'm still waiting for the next Newton to come out!

 

[jafacake310596]

Interesting you all have similar opinions to myself, with this being a wearable it's not the same as a tablet or phone and maybe customers will be more reluctant to fork out for a new one every twelve months?

 

[scwinsett]

Interesting you all have similar opinions to myself, with this being a wearable it's not the same as a tablet or phone and maybe customers will be more reluctant to fork out for a new one every twelve months?

since its basically just an external display, seems like the watch could get new features just from an upgraded phone, so an updated watch wouldn't be as necessary

 

[foxkoneko]

It'll have a 12-18 month cycle
and for those commenting if they're expecting people to upgrade, unlike a smartphone this is something you can totally live without

 

[Mac 128]

Here's my prediction. It's a fashion item. There will be annual updates of the hardware and software in time for graduation season when more watches are likely bought than any other time. History has shown an immediate refresh the following year after a debut product launch incorporating late term ideas and correcting mistakes, as well as providing for an immediate price drop on last years model. In addition there will be seasonal case and band updates.

There's plenty left to incorporate from a tech standpoint. GPS, IPX8 water-resistance, FaceTime camera, lower power chips, more compact interior components for a slimmer profile, rethinking button functions, and placement, additional radios, etc. Every iPhone/iPad undergoes an annual hardware update, so it will be with a watch tied to the iPhone's abilities. But because it's a fashion item, there will be greater pressure to modify the case so it is distinguishable from last years model, and at least attempt to prevent everyone wearing an Apple smartwatch from looking like everybody else wearing one, while catering to the fickle whims of fashion.

 

[shox2k2]

I think you'll see it after they can get a lte model. The apple watch is an iPhone accessory. I think they will launch a model that can be independent of the phone. Maybe 12 - 18 months.

 

[cambookpro]

It's a very hard one to predict considering the long wait times from announcement to actually shipping. I'd think that the watch will be on a 12-18 month refresh cycle, but how major or minor those updates are are anyone's guess.

My best guess would be a new one perhaps middle of 2016. I can't see another one being announced this year, but don't think they'd wait until the beginning of 2017.

They could always move it to the Autumn, but then every Apple product would be updated then. They've got to give us a bit of time for our bank balances to recover!

 

[pragmatous]

You can live without a smart phone .Get a flip phone. Wow suddenly you're saved.

Just being real 100 here.

It'll have a 12-18 month cycle
and for those commenting if they're expecting people to upgrade, unlike a smartphone this is something you cant totally live without

 

[SixtyK]

I'm still waiting for the next Newton to come out!

My Performa is ripe for an update...

 

[puckhead193]

My Performa is ripe for an update...

at least you have a Performa... i'm still waiting to update my LC!

i'm guessing 12-18. It will be interesting to see if apple will just sell the watch so you can use your old bands (if they will work) or you have to buy a new watch w/ band.

I think gen. 2 will fix the battery, and thickness and add a some performance updates. Gen 3 will be the home run

 

[Honey Badger]

It seems to me that the sole deciding factor in determining when Apple comes out with the 2nd generation is at what point the Apple Watch Edition owners will be okay with their $10,000+ watches becoming obsolete.

 

[Knightcastle]

I dislike premature "next gen" hype as much as the next guy. Not 3 days after receiving my new iPhone 6 (on launch day) there were already articles predicting when the iPhone 7 would be out, and what would be featured on it.

But for those of us who've lived with the watch for just over a week now, what would you like to see in the next generation model? What do you find yourself wishing that the watch could do better?

What do you think it will have? What do you think they'll name it? Will we see a Watch S before the Watch 2? Will it be 2016? 2017? Do you think bands will be backwards compatible?

When the first iPhone came out, there were loads of features it didn't have which were quickly addressed in later models (no photo messaging!) but I wouldn't say there were feature omissions as obvious in the first gen watch.

No doubt it'll come with the obligatory memory/processor boost, and sure they could probably integrate a camera into it, or built in GPS - but that's not going to make me forget about my Watch 1 any time soon.

Discuss

 

[Julien]

I dislike premature "next gen" hype as much as the next guy....
Discuss

Then don't start a premature thread about it.

 

[Knightcastle]

Then don't start a premature thread about it.

Haha fair point. All I'm saying if someone asked me to put together a wishlist for Watch 2, I'd probably struggle.

 

[Eric9610]

After having the watch and wearing it daily for almost a week i don't know what they will come with in gen 2 and i think there will be a longer product life cycle, longer than yearly like the phone and the iPad. The UI is excellent and very snappy. the only thing i could see being updated is the battery life and the current battery life is very impressive! Honestly they may add a camera for FT and more sensors but i feel that the biggest change may come in gen 3 or 4.

 

[dontwalkhand]

I would like to see better battery life and definitely more band options. I don't think they need to change the design for this.

 

[Knightcastle]

I would like to see better battery life and definitely more band options. I don't think they need to change the design for this.

Battery life for me is fairly spot on. Tends to still be around 30/40% after an 18 hour day. Can't ask for much more than that - wish my iPhone was as good!

 

[xPad]

I dislike premature "next gen" hype as much as the next guy.

Lol, obviously not.

But for those of us who've lived with the watch for just over a week now, what would you like to see in the next generation model? What do you find yourself wishing that the watch could do better?

Almost nothing that is realistic. The S1 is fast enough for any app you'd run on a watch, the battery is as capable as is reasonably possible in that volume. The screen is as efficient as is possible for an active color display.

There will be new bands without a new watch.

The only things I can think that would add value would be a FaceTime camera and native GPS. Neither of which are even remotely deal-breakers.

Possibly additional health sensors, but honestly, anything more than already contained would be fairly niche.

I'm sure there will be new features over time, and there will be new designs, but I wouldn't expect them anytime soon.

What do you think it will have? What do you think they'll name it? Will we see a Watch S before the Watch 2? Will it be 2016? 2017? Do you think bands will be backwards compatible?

Yes, bands will be backwards compatible indefinitely. No, there won't be entirely new watches beyond possibly style changes every few years. At least, not for a while.

The main exception might be with v2 only because that's how Apple rolls. The first one is new, then they second one is a refinement based on a year's worth of experience. They may find a stylistic change to the Watch that is worth doing. But in this particular case, I'm not expecting too drastic of a change, and I'd expect they'll keep the bands compatible.

When the first iPhone came out, there were loads of features it didn't have which were quickly addressed in later models (no photo messaging!) but I wouldn't say there were feature omissions as obvious in the first gen watch.

Exactly.

No doubt it'll come with the obligatory memory/processor boost, and sure they could probably integrate a camera into it, or built in GPS - but that's not going to make me forget about my Watch 1 any time soon.

Discuss

Again, exactly. And I don't know about memory (RAM). 512MB is more than enough for something that can't really run heavy apps. Storage is far more than enough for loading tons of apps, but might be useful for music. I doubt it'll be upgraded, or even noted beyond a detail in the tech specs page, unless people really start complaining about the amount of music they can sync.