Apple Watch 2 Said to Enter Mass Production in Mid 2016

Tuesday January 26, 2016 5:15 AM PST by Mitchel Broussard
Quanta will be the sole manufacturer of the second-generation Apple Watch, according to a few sources out of the China supply chain (via DigiTimes). The same sources believe that the manufacturing company will ramp up mass production on the "Apple Watch 2" sometime in the second quarter of 2016, following reports that it began a trial production on the smartwatch this month.

apple-watch-trio-new
The reason for Quanta's status as the only Apple Watch 2 manufacturer stems from rumors surrounding Apple's predicted low-volume production output for the second-generation wearable device. Citing "weaker than expected shipments" of the first Apple Watch, the supply chain sources point to the company's tempered production forecast for its next version of the wrist-worn device.
Apple originally considered shifting some second-generation Apple Watch orders to Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), but decided to keep all the orders with Quanta as volumes will not be high, the sources noted. Because of Apple Watch's weaker than expected shipments, Apple recently reduced the device's shipment forecast for 2016 down further from its estimate in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Although Apple has remained quiet on specific sales numbers for the Apple Watch, estimates put the wearable as a consistent rival to similar products, including Fitbit, with numbers only growing in the lead-up to the holiday season last year. Recent rumors point to the possibility of an interim update for the Apple Watch in March, including only one or two new features (like a FaceTime camera), and with a proper full 2.0 model released later in the year.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5
Tag: Quanta
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
98 comments


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macduke
39 months ago
An interim update makes no sense. Either we'll see a new Apple Watch this spring or this autumn. Not both.
Rating: 15 Votes
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Trian
39 months ago

Because of Apple Watch's weaker than expected shipments, Apple recently reduced the device's shipment forecast for 2016 down further from its estimate in the fourth quarter of 2015.


It seems Apple's marketing and pricing genii are finally waking up to the fact that people still do possess common sense.

The watch itself is way overpriced. Especially the two higher editions. Then it's the bracelets: You can't release a $450 link bracelet. $450!!! You're not Cartier, mate, or another well-established fashion brand. It's electronics you sell. That's sheer theft, when a decent third-party equivalent (from a respected vendor) costs $50-60. Or you can't charge $150-250 for the other "premium" bracelets.

Hopefully this year Apple will:
- apply a more reasonable pricing model to the Watch and its bracelets
- give it a much needed battery boost. Other smartwear can last two days or more, which a) makes them practical for sleep tracking and most importantly, b) makes them forgiving in case you forget to charge them overnight. Not so the  Watch. You forgot to charge it overnight, it very likely stays at home for the day.
Rating: 14 Votes
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Keane16
39 months ago

It seems Apple's marketing and pricing genii are finally waking up to the fact that people still do possess common sense.

The watch itself is way overpriced. Especially the two higher editions. Then it's the bracelets: You can't release a $450 link bracelet. $450!!! You're not Cartier, mate, or another well-established fashion brand. It's electronics you sell. That's sheer theft, when a decent third-party equivalent (from a respected vendor) costs $50-60. Or you can't charge $150-250 for the other "premium" bracelets.

Hopefully this year Apple will:
- apply a more reasonable pricing model to the Watch and its bracelets
- give it a much needed battery boost. Other smartwear can last two days or more, which a) makes them practical for sleep tracking and most importantly, b) makes them forgiving in case you forget to charge them overnight. Not so the  Watch. You forgot to charge it overnight, it very likely stays at home for the day.


I don't know. My previous daily watch was a Hugo Boss. Nothing special. Cost about £300.

The strap/bracelet broke, they wanted £150 for the replacement. I was pretty stunned.

So I bought the Apple Watch Sport instead of repairing it. The Apple Watch cost less than the Hugo Boss, uses better materials and does more

The Link Bracelet is in a different league to the Hugo Boss one that broke. If Boss can charge £150 for their average stainless steel bracelet. Apple can charge more - £379 still seems steep but in the watch market it's about par for what you're getting.

Macs, iPhones and iPods have never been cheap compared to the competition. Why do people think the Apple Watch would suddenly be priced low.
Rating: 8 Votes
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dumastudetto
39 months ago
Let's go!!! I'm ready to order my new Apple Watch.
Rating: 7 Votes
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orbital~debris
39 months ago


The watch itself is way overpriced. Especially the two higher editions. Then it's the bracelets: You can't release a $450 link bracelet. $450!!! You're not Cartier, mate, or another well-established fashion brand. It's electronics you sell. That's sheer theft, when a decent third-party equivalent costs $50-60. Or you can't charge $150-250 for the other "premium" bracelets.
Watch


Except they can, and do.

And when as much care and attention is put into the design, materials & production, as Apple have done with Apple Watch, there's no difference between them - in this respect - and an established "fashion brand".
Rating: 7 Votes
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OllyW
39 months ago

They're (just speculating here) trying to create a product in the second iteration to entice even more people to buy it, those that turned their noses up at the first version.

That's me then. ;)

The iPhone and iPad both only really took off once their second generation models were released so I'm hoping the 2nd gen Watch brings big improvements.
Rating: 5 Votes
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maflynn
39 months ago

A lot of big retailers were selling them with good discounts in the USA and UK over the Xmas shopping period which suggests they haven't exactly been flying off the shelves.

I know apple has been quiet with the numbers which some people are concluding that the numbers are not as stellar as Apple had hoped for. Yet with that said, they have eaten up a large portion of the marketshare.

I suspect (my totally uneducated and unscientific opinion) that apple might have misjudged the market for smart watches, and partly caused expectations to be out of line to what was actually delivered.

I'm happy with my apple watch, but I can't see buying another one for a while. Its a nice luxury item, but unlike a phone or a computer, it cannot be construed as a must have device.
Rating: 5 Votes
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StevenPG
39 months ago
Personally I enjoy my Apple Watch Sport. It is true there's not one thing that it does that makes it worth the $250 (US on sale) price I got mine for, but just like the iPhone it's the many small things it does that makes it worth it. It took me a long time to purchase one because I was also concerned about what it does that makes it worth it. Now it is the first thing I do in the morning. Put on my watch. Before this watch I hadn't worn a watch in maybe 5 years.
Rating: 5 Votes
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Kestrel452
39 months ago
Will we finally see a decent smart watch that has a round case without the "flat tire" nonsense?

The most disappointing smart watch thus far has to be the Moto 360. Such a gorgeous looking smart watch, only to be ruined by limited features and its horrible looking flat tire screen.

The Apple Watch is so ugly that I can't even bring myself to care about it yet.

In all honesty, I don't understand why people are buying these things already. Smart watches just aren't worth their $300+ price tag yet.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Wiesenlooser
39 months ago
I hope apple knows that the Apple Watch 2 has to be a rather significant update then. They will have basically skipped a generation, since the Apple Watch hardware was already late.

The Apple Watch 2 can't come quick enough. The first generation really is limited when it comes to speed and other features.
Rating: 4 Votes
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