How often do you think apple will be refreshing the apple watch? I'm thinking about getting the first generation but was wondering how often apple was thinking about updating the watch. I doubt apple will be updating to often, considering it is a new product and I doubt people will be forking out $300 or more ever year for watch. Thoughts?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Watch, how often will it get refreshed?
- Thread starter sap12690
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I think they'll do yearly updates like the iPhone and iPad. Actually, wouldn't be surprised to see a gen2 late 2015.
I hope they treat the watch a bit like the mac - invest quite a bit once and keep it for a long time with built to last materials and good support going far back. iOS is typically 2-3 years between devices (customers are either on the odd cycles or the even cycles) - which I don't think will work for a smart watch.
Yearly.
However, after the first year I believe you'll be able to purchase the Watch sans strap for cheaper. So, if you've built a nice collection of straps, your investment will carry over to the new device... I see myself iterating every two years, probably the aluminum one at first.. the steel 2nd... perhaps save up so on year four, my 3rd can be gold!! =)
However, after the first year I believe you'll be able to purchase the Watch sans strap for cheaper. So, if you've built a nice collection of straps, your investment will carry over to the new device... I see myself iterating every two years, probably the aluminum one at first.. the steel 2nd... perhaps save up so on year four, my 3rd can be gold!! =)
This is something I've been wondering about just how they think the industry here will work. The iPads for example get updated every year but users more and more wait longer to update their iPads on average; 2-3 years vs 1-2 years with the iPhones. On top of that, I can't see $350 for a starting price being a permanent thing, rather once the cost of producing certain elements goes down, either see a more unified use of the costlier material or create different cheaper models (perhaps some at $100, 200).
The watch doesn't really lend to expanding to many different industries either within the app ecosystem other than fitness and some social apps. I dunno, I just see it being a market that wouldn't even touch the numbers that iPhone and iPad have done and the iPad market is already leveling out after only 4 years.
The watch doesn't really lend to expanding to many different industries either within the app ecosystem other than fitness and some social apps. I dunno, I just see it being a market that wouldn't even touch the numbers that iPhone and iPad have done and the iPad market is already leveling out after only 4 years.
The Apple watch will be a very different kind of product, and does not seem to me to be a product that owners will replace at each minor (or even major) update to the electronics. It's very different, because the watch (with exactly the same electronics) will start at $350, and go up to 4 or 5 thousand dollars, maybe higher with different straps. Replacing one for $350 each year may make some sense, but replacing by spending several thousand dollars at each upgrade makes almost no sense at all. I predict that Apple will upgrade the electronics in YOUR watch for some nominal fee, say $200 - not much with a gold case, but you would perhaps replace completely if you have an aluminum case - which may not be sold as upgradeable anyway. You would ship, or take in to Apple for that upgrade.
Something puzzles me about people who think Apple are going to sit on one model for 2 or 3 years +
What do you think Apple will do?
Sell the watches to those people who want them, and then think to themselves, ok, well that was nice, they all have them now, so no more profits for us for the next 2 to 3 years from any more models.
Would not Apple, who make their money from hardware, WANT to offer you a new model next year, so that people who want to, can buy the new model?
Why would Apple sell one watch to one person and think that's it?
Amazingly enough, there is no law I'm aware of that states you have to buy any new model.
But do we think Apple will not offer those who do want a new model, a new model to buy next year?
What do you think Apple will do?
Sell the watches to those people who want them, and then think to themselves, ok, well that was nice, they all have them now, so no more profits for us for the next 2 to 3 years from any more models.
Would not Apple, who make their money from hardware, WANT to offer you a new model next year, so that people who want to, can buy the new model?
Why would Apple sell one watch to one person and think that's it?
Amazingly enough, there is no law I'm aware of that states you have to buy any new model.
But do we think Apple will not offer those who do want a new model, a new model to buy next year?
This, if it's like any other product they have released in the past, it will be yearly and cost the exact same. There is no reduce pricing with Apple. It'll be interesting how Apple decides to upgrade the users. It might only be available to those with the gold watches that get the send it in and we'll upgrade it.
Me too. Within a few years a 1st gen watch will get about as much use as my 1st gen ipod nano, having been replaced several times with newer products. If you want a watch that will hold its value, buy a Rolex (looking at some of the specs of some of the apple watches I bet they'll cost as much as a Rolex).
I think it depends on how well it does it certain markets. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't do nearly as well in the NA market as many believe. Asia is the wild card.
If it's popular, they may hold off on a refresh and just refresh it when sales slow. They may do the opposite and refresh it regardless.
My guess is anywhere between 1-2yrs.
If it's popular, they may hold off on a refresh and just refresh it when sales slow. They may do the opposite and refresh it regardless.
My guess is anywhere between 1-2yrs.
Last edited:
And? I'm sure some at Apple are working on iPhone 7 right now. Does that mean nobody should buy an iPhone 6?
To me Watch is as much a watch as iPhone is a phone. Maybe that's an argument against the Edition version. But I still think Apple might have something up its sleeve with respect to upgrading. I don't believe for one second Apple is going to charge thousands of dollars for Watch Edition and then expect you to buy a new one every year or two. If nothing else I think the battery will be replaceable. And the software/apps might be light enough that the SOC won't need to be upgraded that frequently.
They will likely refresh them yearly. Rogifan is right (and we don't always see eye to eye) the thing people are missing/forgetting here is that each year there will be advances in tech, etc - so Apple will capitalize on it. For those that already own the watch, the upgrades may not be worthy of handing over more cash. However, YOU won't necc be the target market. New customers would be - and most people, when they go shopping are looking for the latest model (for tech) - and I gather would rather see a 2015, 2016, 2017 model # next to it vs a new customer buying something with a backdate.
That won't stop the moaning and groaning if there is a new "killer" feature one year after someone just bought their (older) device.
That won't stop the moaning and groaning if there is a new "killer" feature one year after someone just bought their (older) device.
Of course none of this is unique to Watch. And I'm still not convinced there's going to be blow away tech every year that will make an existing Watch obsolete after one year. Hence why I think the battery (and maybe soc) will be replaceable.
No - it's not unique to any industry - esp tech.
I don't think battery and SOC will be replaceable - but you never know.
It would be great if they were upgreadable, but apart from macs, most apple stuff is sealed, usually upgraded with a totally new model every two or so years (maybe macs get spec upgrades whilst still retaining the same case for a bit longer). In anycase, I think i'll get one of the cheaper ones if they look ok worn on my right wrist. The one thing i would really like to have seen is it being waterproof.
Just to add my take. The aWatch is unlike any product Apple has ever made and is a small pivot shift for them. I think the aWatch will be upgradable, but not user upgradable. I believe Apple will probably offer a couple of options. The price will be high enough to make it N/A for the Sport. Here is an example of what could be offered. Just wild speculation.
1. Battery $125
2. Battery and S chip $250
3. Battery, S chip and sensor back $350
4. crystal/OLED $150
I'm iffy on SOC but I think battery will be. I still have a hard time believing Apple will charge thousands of dollars for the gold watch and expect you to buy a new one in two years.