Rumor: Apple's 'iWatch' will come in two sizes, three models when it launches this fall

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited July 2014
Apple is said to be planning to release a wrist-worn device this fall with touchscreen sizes of 1.6 and 1.8 inches, with the larger having an option for sapphire, according to the latest "iWatch" rumor out of the Far East.

"iWatch" concept by Martin Hajek.


The 1.8-inch variant of the so-called "iWatch" is rumored to come in two models: one with and one without a scratch-resistant sapphire screen cover, according to the Economic Daily News. The report was first spotted on Tuesday by G for Games.

The report claimed that the use of sapphire on Apple's anticipated "iWatch" is expected to pave the way for potentially using the hardened material on future iPhone models, such as an "iPhone 6S" or "iPhone 7." That would suggest that Apple isn't planning to use any sapphire covers on this year's anticipated "iPhone 6," as has been rumored.

Last week, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities revealed that mass production of Apple's "iWatch" is expected to be pushed back to November, due to alleged challenges in bringing the device to market. According to Kuo, availability of the rumored device may be extremely limited this fall.

The screen sizes reported on Tuesday of 1.6 and 1.8 inches are also a bit larger than earlier claims by Kuo, who first said in April that the device is expected to come in two smaller sizes of 1.3 and 1.5 inches. The display panels are rumored to be flexible AMOLED technology, and Kuo believes that all models will come with sapphire covers.

Still other reports have pegged the display size even larger, with one rumor from Reuters last month claiming the "iWatch" will sport a 2.5-inch touchscreen panel. That report claimed that the screen will be "slightly rectangular," and the face is expected to protrude slightly from the band to create an arch shape.

iWatchiWatch concept by Todd Hamilton


A key selling point for Apple's "iWatch" is believed to be a series of biometric sensors that would provide users with feedback on health and fitness. It's expected that the device will tap into the new HealthKit tools for developers that Apple will include in its forthcoming iOS 8 mobile operating system.

Tuesday's report from EDN also made claims about a larger 12.9-inch tablet from Apple, which has been colloquially dubbed the "iPad Pro." The publication believes that the jumbo-sized iPad will be formally introduced before the end of 2014.

However, back in February, Kuo characterized a 2014 launch for the "iPad Pro" as unlikely. Instead, he believes this year's iPad refresh will focus on bringing Touch ID and a faster A8 processor to the iPad Air and iPad mini.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 39
    andysolandysol Posts: 2,506member
    If it ends up being created, we'll just wait for the leaks and then all these analysts can revise their predictions. Clearly the expected sizes will have changed because of "constraint issues" on the supply line. :rolleyes:
  • Reply 2 of 39
    Clearly the 1.8 is being positioned as the more technologically advanced, "pro" model. /s
  • Reply 3 of 39
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member
    Can these rumors get any sillier?
  • Reply 4 of 39
    singularitysingularity Posts: 1,328member
    rogifan wrote: »
    Can these rumors get any sillier?
    Yup
  • Reply 5 of 39
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post



    Can these rumors get any sillier?

     

    They can claim Martin Hajek is the new official designer for Apple.

  • Reply 6 of 39
    boredumbboredumb Posts: 1,418member

    I wonder how long it will take for Samsung to reveal plans for one that covers the entire forearm,

    doubling, no doubt, as a shield to deflect any criticisms…?  

    They'll probably refer to it as a "Wablet".

     

    Perhaps Apple should simply forego the watch thing entirely and move straight on to 

    a fully functional "neural net",  à la those wonderful "Culture" novels?

  • Reply 7 of 39
    kent909kent909 Posts: 731member
    Who cares?
  • Reply 8 of 39
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    rogifan wrote: »
    Can these rumors get any sillier?

    All signs point to "yes".
  • Reply 9 of 39
    zoetmbzoetmb Posts: 2,654member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton View Post

     

     

    They can claim Martin Hajek is the new official designer for Apple.


    But Todd Hamilton should be because his design is actually quite impressive and goes a long way to solve the problem of limited screen real-estate on a watch surface.    My bet is that Apple's final design, which if the rumored sizes are correct will be a traditional almost square screen, will be nowhere near as cool or as effective as his.  

  • Reply 10 of 39
    ingelaingela Posts: 217member
    If ever there was a product category for Apple to completely dominate, this one is it. They would have to fumble pretty badly not to control this product category in its entirety.

    We are almost certain the iwatch will instantly create a collectible market for them.
    Android on the other hand will face an uphill battle
    in this category as they already
    have a reputation as a disposable
    brand. They may may be able to
    fill the utility aspect but as we
    have seen, they leave a lot to be
    desired in terms of quality and
    design. The brand is tainted in
    that regard. Unless Apple fumbles
    badly, It may be a product
    category Android will be forever
    unable to profitably compete in
    anything but the low margin low
    end.
  • Reply 11 of 39
    zoetmbzoetmb Posts: 2,654member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ingela View Post



    If ever there was a product category for Apple to completely dominate, this one is it. They would have to fumble pretty badly not to control this product category in its entirety.



    We are almost certain the iwatch will instantly create a collectible market for them.

     

    A collectible market?   You can only have a collectible market when supply is heavily limited.   Apple produces mass-market items that sell in the tens of millions of units.   There's no such thing as a collectible market in that case.   What collectible items from Apple are there today (aside possibly from a working Apple ][ )?

     

    And how can Apple fumble?    If the product isn't that great and then Samsung or someone else copies it and puts it out at half the price. 

     

    Besides, with the possible exception of exercise monitoring, what purpose will an iWatch serve that an iPhone doesn't already serve?    How many devices do people want to own before they've said "enough"?    Are people really going to carry an iWatch, an iPhone, an iPad and possibly a computer as well?    Even with iCloud, the sync issues can drive one nuts. 

  • Reply 12 of 39
    mstonemstone Posts: 11,510member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by zoetmb View Post

     
    A collectible market?   You can only have a collectible market when supply is heavily limited.   Apple produces mass-market items that sell in the tens of millions of units.  


    I think in this case 'collectable' means that if it comes in multiple styles and colors, people might buy several. It is sort of like the wife's collection of shoes. It is fashion not just utility. Personally I think it is a ridiculous product for Apple to get into, but that is just me, I don't like wristwatches. 

  • Reply 13 of 39
    ingela wrote: »
    If ever there was a product category for Apple to completely dominate, this one is it. They would have to fumble pretty badly not to control this product category in its entirety.

    We are almost certain the iwatch will instantly create a collectible market for them.
    Android on the other hand will face an uphill battle
    in this category as they already
    have a reputation as a disposable
    brand. They may may be able to
    fill the utility aspect but as we
    have seen, they leave a lot to be
    desired in terms of quality and
    design. The brand is tainted in
    that regard. Unless Apple fumbles
    badly, It may be a product
    category Android will be forever
    unable to profitably compete in
    anything but the low margin low
    end.

    A lot desired in Quality and design? You are aware that the Moto 360 is the best looking smartwatch on the market. Their is also no conceivable way apple can take over this segment. The iwatch will only work with iphones.
  • Reply 14 of 39
    macbook promacbook pro Posts: 1,605member
    Clearly the 1.8 is being positioned as the more technologically advanced, "pro" model. /s

    If so I will definitely purchase the iWatch Pro with the Intel CPU and the ability to do real work with Microsoft Office although I may need a kickstand for the iWatch Pro.
  • Reply 15 of 39
    damn_its_hotdamn_its_hot Posts: 1,209member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post



    Apple is said to be planning to release a wrist-worn device this fall with touchscreen sizes of 1.6 and 1.8 inches, with the larger having an option for sapphire, according to the latest "iWatch" rumor out of the Far East.

     

    Another reliable analyst, Kim Jong-un, says that Apple already tested the iWatch. He reports the sizes as being 4.7" and 5.5" but declined to comment further citing his NDA with Apple.¡

  • Reply 16 of 39
    Who is this Kuo character anyway? This watch thingy changes shape and size with startling rapidity. How much money are theses pundits making out of guessing????
  • Reply 17 of 39
    notscottnotscott Posts: 247member

    This watch.

  • Reply 18 of 39
    ingelaingela Posts: 217member
    A lot desired in Quality and design? You are aware that the Moto 360 is the best looking smartwatch on the market. Their is also no conceivable way apple can take over this segment. The iwatch will only work with iphones.

    The 360 and the rest are tragedies only Casio loving tech nerds could love. The 360 is a complete fail beforem it is ever released. The Android Gear products so far are testaments in fail.
  • Reply 19 of 39
    slurpyslurpy Posts: 5,382member
    "Rumor: Apple's 'iWatch' will come in two sizes, three models when it launches this fall"

    What a shitty headline, including the launching in the fall as a fact, when it's anything but.
  • Reply 20 of 39
    Introducing the iWatchAir and the iWatchMini. ;-)

    Or would it be the iBandAir and the iBandMini?

    LOL
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