Apple Watch Series 3 models have entered the "final testing phase" in the manufacturing process, with mass production set to begin soon, according to a new Chinese-language Economic Daily News report [Google Translate].
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The report, citing unnamed supply chain sources, said Taiwan-based manufacturer Quanta Computer will begin shipping Apple Watch Series 3 models to Apple in the fourth quarter, lining up with the smartwatch's widely rumored September launch, alongside new iPhones and possibly a 4K-capable Apple TV.
Apple Watch Series 2 models and slightly upgraded Series 1 models launched last September alongside the iPhone 7, so it's reasonable to assume that Series 3 models could launch this September as well. The original Apple Watch, now unofficially dubbed Series 0, launched in April 2015.
The rest of the report cites KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who recently claimed Apple Watch Series 3 will be available in both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + LTE models in 38mm and 42mm sizes. Kuo said the cellular-enabled model will have an embedded SIM, but it might support VoIP calling only.
Apple Watch Series 3 models will also reportedly have improved performance and longer battery life, at least for the Wi-Fi-only version.
What's less certain is whether the Apple Watch will be significantly redesigned for the first time since being unveiled in September 2014.
Apple blogger John Gruber recently said he heard Apple Watch Series 3 models could have an all-new form factor, but he stressed that the tidbit came from an unconfirmed source who could be wrong. Kuo, meanwhile, said Apple Watch Series 3 models won't have any "obvious" form factor changes.
"It could also be that both my birdie and Kuo are correct," said Gruber, in a follow-up post yesterday. "The phrase 'will not feature an obvious new form factor' leaves a lot of wiggle room with the word 'obvious'," he added.
Few other details are known about the next Apple Watch at this point, and no components have leaked from the supply chain yet.
Apple has filed patents for a number of ideas that could eventually be included in an Apple Watch, such as a heart rate identification system, modular bands, haptic feedback band, and a band with a built-in charger. More significant health and fitness features could be added pending further FDA approvals.
Top Rated Comments
Soooo, does anyone have a Sharpie?
There are others, too. If Apple wanted to build a bigger watch, it could also increase battery life. Apple could also make the display not turn on with a wrist raise to increase battery. They could remove GPS from the Series 2, and never add cell service to the watch. Apple is not making these choices because they value the features over the battery life. By not buying competing smartwatches, people are also making that choice.
I expect for the foreseeable future, battery life isn't going to stretch much beyond a full day because there are so many cool features to add. For example, it would be awesome to stream music without a phone during a workout. I'd love to make and receive calls without my phone (via Airpods). Same with getting email and texts without a phone. I'd like apps to run faster and independently of the phone. I'd like to be able to use Siri to control my smarthome stuff without a phone. The Apple Watch has a big emphasis on fitness, too. There are a lot of sensors that could be added the watch, and the sensors could be used for longer periods. The watch itself could also be smaller in thickness, have a brighter display, and louder speaker.
I expect that Apple values all of these features more than 5 day battery life.
I would like to have a reason for a new one, but not expecting it to happen.