Most of the new Apple product rumors that we’ve heard lately have been focused on the iPhone 7. Today we’re switching things up, though, with some news on the next Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch 2 will have the same screen sizes, thickness, and form factor as the original Apple Watch, says KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Despite having a similar design as the original Apple Watch, Kuo expects the Apple Watch 2 to include several upgrades over its predecessor, including a faster processor, a barometer, better waterproofing, and a larger battery. Also expected to be included is a GPS.
The Apple Watch 2 is expected to launch in the second half of 2016.
While nothing is official until Apple says that it is, the Apple Watch 2 upgrades named by Kuo sound reasonable. Features like a GPS, barometer, and better waterproofing should help to make the Apple Watch 2 much better for fitness, which is likely one of the most popular use cases for the device. And everyone can appreciate a faster processor and better battery life, which should help the AW2 to run faster and last longer.
In addition to the Apple Watch 2, Kuo says that Apple is be prepping an improved version of the original Apple Watch. This upgraded Apple Watch 1 will reportedly get a faster processor and better waterproofing, though the waterproofing will not be as good as the Apple Watch 2. Kuo expects the Apple Watch to get a price cut, too, but he didn’t specify if that’ll apply to the original Apple Watch 1 or the upgraded Apple Watch 1.