Apple Watch 2 Said to Include Thinner 'One Glass Solution' Display

Friday July 29, 2016 12:50 pm PDT by Juli Clover
The second-generation Apple Watch will feature "One Glass Solution" (OGS) display technology instead of Glass on Glass (G/G) technology, reports DigiTimes citing information obtained from Apple supplier TPK Holding.

One Glass Solution technology eliminates one of the layers of glass from a traditional G/G display that features two pieces of glass, replacing one layer with a thinner material. Making the switch from G/G, used in the current Apple Watch, to OGS could potentially allow Apple to save a small amount of internal space in the Apple Watch 2 and make slight reductions in the weight of the device.

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According to TPK Holding, production of the OGS panels for the second-generation Apple Watch has seen some unexpected technical issues, resulting in low yield rates. It is not clear if this will affect overall production of the second-generation Apple Watch.
The large loss for the second quarter was mainly because touch panel orders for iPhones continued to decrease, and Apple will change touch panel technology from G/G to OGS (one glass solution) in the new Apple Watch to be launched in the second half of 2016, TPK said. The change in touch panel technology involved unexpected technological difficulties and therefore yield rates for OGS touch panels were much lower than expected, TPK explained.
The Apple Watch 2 is rumored to feature only minor design changes with primarily under-the-hood spec improvements. Cellular connectivity, a faster processor, and an improved battery are possibilities for the device.

As for a launch date, rumors suggest we can expect to see the Apple Watch 2 in the fall of 2016. A release alongside the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is a possibility, and if Apple plans to launch the Apple Watch 2 at that time, it could debut on September 16, 2016, with pre-orders to start on September 9.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 6
Tag: digitimes.com
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
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Drumjim85
43 months ago

I dunno. I own three apple watches and it's just failed to provide the sort of utility you'd hope for.

I bet if you had 4 you'd notice a big improvement.
Rating: 94 Votes
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Fall Under Cerulean Kites
43 months ago
The lack of built-in GPS is still a non-starter for me. GPS chips are so small now, it amazes me the Apple Watch lacks one.

The GPS fucntionality is important to me, as I’m a runner. I would love to have a device I could use during my runs to record my tracks and give me accurate speed and mileage information, without having to lug around my phone.
Rating: 33 Votes
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Westside guy
43 months ago


I dunno. I own three apple watches and it's just failed to provide the sort of utility you'd hope for.


I bet if you had 4 you'd notice a big improvement.


Problem is, he keeps looking at the ankle that's not wearing a watch...
Rating: 23 Votes
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SMIDG3T
43 months ago
Gonna be an expensive September. All I want from AW2 is speed, more independence and better battery life.
Rating: 19 Votes
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smacrumon
43 months ago
Apple Watch 2, only $2 when you buy a Happy Meal using :apple: Pay at participating McDonald's.
Rating: 12 Votes
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Datalinks
43 months ago
Apple Watch 2 basically has to be Waterproof
Rating: 11 Votes
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Zirel
43 months ago

My Garmin 310xt will last 20 hours, while recording a GPS track. The chip doesn’t have to be enabled 100% of the time. Phone in proximity? Disable it. Cellular available and not during a workout? Disable it. It’s too bad that with the thinner glass, Apple will make the watch thinner instead of filling that space with useful stuff like …. a bigger battery and a GPS receiver.


Are you seriously comparing a watch like this:


That doesn't have an OLED screen (not even a color LCD), or a reasonable body to not look "off" in everyday attire (seriously, it looks like a potato!), doesn't have an optical HRM, doesn't have space for a speaker, or a NFC, a Digital Crown, a Taptic Engine, etc. With the Apple Watch?

I prefer an Apple Watch with less battery life than to have to charge it with that "clamp" thing that doesn't even look to be moisture proof!

People looking for a product like the Apple Watch won't even consider such a thing, doesn't matter if it has GPS and lasts 20 hours with everything turned off. It's like shopping for a sports car like a Porsche Caymann, and you coming up with a 1980s Jeep Wrangler, because it has 4 wheel drive a differential lock and a body made of steel that you can bend back!
Rating: 10 Votes
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John Mcgregor
43 months ago
Rating: 9 Votes
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jonnysods
43 months ago

I dunno. I own three apple watches and it's just failed to provide the sort of utility you'd hope for.


Is it because you only have two arms?
Rating: 9 Votes
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0098386
43 months ago
I owned an Apple Watch before OS2 came out, and again much more recently. Battery life has never been a problem. I now use a sleep tracking app so I wear it overnight too and charge it whilst I'm in the shower or watching TV, and even after a full day+ of wearing it's only down to 30% after quite a lot of use.

I think I'd rather see that battery put to use powering an additional GPS or cellular chip, than putting in a smaller battery.

The lack of built-in GPS is still a non-starter for me. GPS chips are so small now, it amazes me the Apple Watch lacks one.

The GPS fucntionality is important to me, as I’m a runner. I would love to have a device I could use during my runs to record my tracks and give me accurate speed and mileage information, without having to lug around my phone.


From reading various Apple Watch forums it sounds like there's some kind of wifi GPS feature being included in WatchOS 3. So whilst not mega accurate for speed and exact locations, it can map out your route at least.
Rating: 8 Votes

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