Apple to sell two sizes of iWatch with flexible AMOLED displays this fall, prices to reach 'thousand

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited April 2014
With Apple expected to be fielding a smartwatch later this year, one analyst reveals new details about the long-awaited device, including biometrics, flexible AMOLED display with sapphire cover lens and NFC, among other features.

Android Wear conceptMotorola's Moto 360 Android Wear-powered smart watch | Source: Google


In the midst of rumors and speculation, a research note from KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo obtained by AppleInsider offers the most comprehensive look at Apple's supposed "iWatch" yet. Kuo has a proven track record of predicting Apple's next hardware moves.

According to the analyst, iWatch will be able to operate independently of an iPhone or iPad, but is also expected to feature functions that are iOS-exclusive like health monitoring apps. Hardware backing up iOS device compatibility are near-field communication with a "secure element," biometric recognition and adoption of a system-in-package (SiP) design for slimness.

Other components include a 1.3- to 1.5-inch flexible AMOLED display with sapphire cover, suggesting the device's screen will be curved to fit a user's wrist. In addition, Apple is thought to be incorporating liquid metal for mechanical parts.

One of the major differences between Apple's smartwatch and those from rivals will be looks. Unlike current designs from the likes of Samsung and LG, Kuo predicts the iWatch casing and band will come in a variety of materials. As such, the most expensive model in the lineup will carry a price tag of several thousand dollars, as much as a luxury brand mechanical watch.

With a fashionable style and models reaching into high price echelons, Kuo believes Apple may be competing against other fashion vendors instead of tech companies.

A big challenge for any smartwatch design is battery life. Kuo is forecasting iWatch to use 200 to 250mAh cell that should give the device increased operation time. Adding to power savings is Apple's vertically integrated operating system, which will allow fine-tuning of specific components. Battery life is expected to hit at least one day.

Kuo sees shipments of iWatch starting at the end of the third quarter, with an estimated 5.5 million units in 2014 alone. That number is forecast to jump to 30 to 50 million units through 2015, in line with prior reports guessing at shipment volume.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 103
    mechanicmechanic Posts: 805member
    Lol a gold and Diamond studded iWatch.
  • Reply 2 of 103
    snovasnova Posts: 1,281member

    you would have to try really hard to make all this stuff up.

  • Reply 3 of 103
    kpomkpom Posts: 660member
    If this is true, then Angela Ahrendts' hire makes even more sense.
  • Reply 4 of 103
    hentaiboyhentaiboy Posts: 1,252member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post



    As such, the most expensive model in the lineup will carry a price tag of several thousand dollars, as much as a luxury brand mechanical watch.

    FAIL

     

    THIS is why people spend thousands of dollars on watches:

     

  • Reply 5 of 103
    freerangefreerange Posts: 1,597member
    "Thousands of dollars"???? That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Low volume at best. Next, NFC, really? A pretty much failed tech, at least in the US? IMHO, not.
  • Reply 6 of 103
    mechanicmechanic Posts: 805member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by snova View Post

     

    you would have to try really hard to make all this stuff up.


    I don't think any of these analysts let that pesky thing call facts get in the way:).  When you make stuff up from your dreams who can dispute you lol:D.

  • Reply 7 of 103
    snovasnova Posts: 1,281member

    AMOLED screen over the top of a mechanical clock face would be cool.

  • Reply 8 of 103
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    Ha you can't make this stuff up. :lol:

    But it is the complete opposite to guys like Ben Bajarin, Benedict Evans, Ben Thompson and Rene Ritchie who are predicting the "iWatch" to be a cheap iPhone accessory.
  • Reply 9 of 103
    Pfffft. iDon't want one
  • Reply 10 of 103
    tjwolftjwolf Posts: 424member
    The NFC part of the rumor makes no sense whatsoever! Apple would presumably want their iWatch to work with as many iPhones as possible. As far as I know not a single one currently on the market supports NFC. If this Kuo character is so off on his NFC prediction, it calls the rest of his predictions into question too.
  • Reply 11 of 103
    snovasnova Posts: 1,281member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by tjwolf View Post



    The NFC part of the rumor makes no sense whatsoever! Apple would presumably want their iWatch to work with as many iPhones as possible. As far as I know not a single one currently on the market supports NFC. If this Kuo character is so off on his NFC prediction, it calls the rest of his predictions into question too.

    What you can't see people hitting thousand dollar follow watches together?  Maybe this is why they want sapphire screens. I would personally buy an iRing before an iWatch.

  • Reply 12 of 103
    It's coming from Kuo which makes me want to believe but the absurd-ness of some of the predictions makes me question if something was "lost in translation."
  • Reply 13 of 103
    asdasdasdasd Posts: 5,686member
    With great and limited design they could get away with thousand dollar watches.
  • Reply 14 of 103
    wurm5150wurm5150 Posts: 763member
    Kuo just ruined his reputation on this..
  • Reply 15 of 103
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member

    I think Ming-Chi Kuo is off his rocker.

  • Reply 16 of 103
    jungmarkjungmark Posts: 6,926member
    Make it stop!
  • Reply 17 of 103
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wurm5150 View Post



    Kuo just ruined his reputation on this..

     

    Could be that Apple found his sources and severed them for good. Which would, of course, be good.

  • Reply 18 of 103
    If this device includes the functionality of very expensive medical testing machinery, and non invasive blood glucose testing, it could easily have a retail price of $1000-$2000, and will probably cost no more than $200-$500 after being heavily subsidized by insurance companies. Diabetes testing supplies can cost a person $500-1000 annually. Furthermore, rumor has it the iWatch can detect a heart attack before it happens. If this is true, $2000 is very cheap!

    http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/glucose-meters/test-strips/in-pursuit-of-the-best-deals-for-test-strips.htm

    http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iwatch-to-predict-heart-attacks-2014-2
  • Reply 19 of 103
    snovasnova Posts: 1,281member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by masterkona View Post



    If this device includes the functionality of very expensive medical testing machinery, and non invasive blood glucose testing, it could easily have a retail price of $1000-$2000, and will probably cost no more than $200-$500 after being heavily subsidized by insurance companies. Diabetes testing supplies can cost a person $500-1000 annually. http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/glucose-meters/test-strips/in-pursuit-of-the-best-deals-for-test-strips.htm

    federal tax credit against your Affordable Care Act contribution.  How about that for big can of worms?

  • Reply 20 of 103
    512ke512ke Posts: 782member

    A diamond-studded watch that measures your glucose?

     

    What about a platinum thermometer?

     

    A ruby-encrusted heartrate monitor?

     

    A solid Unobtanium watch that changes your TV channels?

     

    And all covered by glowing sapphire!

     

    The Apple iWatch.  If you have to ask how much it costs, you probably can't afford it.©

     

    Or just call it, the iBling!

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