“A purported photo of a larger 334 mAh lithium-ion battery destined for the Apple Watch 2 has surfaced on Chinese microblogging service Weibo, foreshadowing expected battery life improvements coming to the wrist-worn device,” Joe Rossignol reports for MacRumors.
“The battery is allegedly for the 42mm model, which currently has a 246 mAh battery, suggesting the next-generation 42mm model could have a 35.7% larger battery,” Rossignol reports. “KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said an Apple Watch 2 with a higher capacity battery will launch later this year.”
Rossignol reports, “The much-rumored Apple Watch 2 is expected to be released in late 2016 with a faster TSMC-built processor, GPS, barometer, superior waterproofing, and a higher capacity battery.”
Read more and check out the photos in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: It’s going to be tough to put our original Apple Watches in a drawer with our original Apple iPhones, but we’ll manage to bear it for Apple Watch 2 with GPS and even more water-resistance!
It would be REALLY nice if Apple would offer a way for Apple Watch 1 owners to upgrade their hardware. My 42mm cost me $450 and I am NOT going to shell out that kind of money every year for a new watch…
Come to think about it, I paid very little compared to others who could easily have paid well over $1000. Seems to me that some kind of upgrade should be offered when one spends that kind of money…
I don’t see a problem with that as long as the new components fit inside the old case. I think that’s a good idea.
That sounds like a nice idea, macman1984, if the form factors are identical. But is it practical?
If you have a Sport model AW, I suspect that much of the cost of the Apple Watch is in the guts that you would like to upgrade. The cost to disassemble and reassemble Apple Watches piecemeal is likely a lot more than it is to assemble them in bulk at the factory. Even if the guts fit perfectly and you were able to acquire all of the new AW2 functionality, I suspect that you would still be better off selling your current AW Sport and buying a new one.
If you have a SS version, then there might be some merit in an upgrade of the internals. If you have a gold Edition, then you are likely not too worried about money and will just buy a new AW2.
It is actually kind of interesting how the AW is perceived. Many people pay roughly as much for a new iPhone every year or two, but I don’t see a big outcry about being able to upgrade the internals. But the AW? People want to be able to upgrade it.
Uh oh…the early whiners are starting up. As predicted.
Just don’t buy W2. There is no need for it. AW is accessory to an iPhone and other than email and messages he can’t do much with it. I wear mine only on weekends now and do not miss it
The solutions is simple. I plan to use my Apple Watch 1 as my bedtime watch while my Apple Watch 2 is charging for the next day and also as a beater watch when I’m doing nasty outdoor jobs. As I upgrade to each model I will rotate the oldest model out of rotation and give it to a family member, sell it or donate it.
Sounds logical, so be prepared to be lambasted by the aginners.
Gazelle, anyone?
I’ve never known Apple to increase battery size just for fun. It develops its specifications for specific user criteria. I’m sure, if a new Apple Watch has a larger battery, it’s to support newer power requirements, supporting the GPS and barometer rumors. Since barometers need access to atmospheric air to determine air pressure, I wonder how that squares with sealing up the Watch to make it more waterproof?