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.
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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.
Top Rated Comments
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.
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.
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".