Sport may charge slower than SS/Edition

[Julien]

On TWIT's Tech News today Mark Gurman was interviewed about his battery life article. In it he said Apple was having problems with the inductive charging time and that Apple had experimented with several types. He said Apple will probably have 2 types of charger 'pucks'. For the SS/Edition it will be the metal one shown on the Apple site. For the $350 Sport it will likely have a cheeper plastic back 'puck' that may not charge as fast.

Of course if this is the case you could just buy the metal puck and have the same charger. Also there will probably be 3ed party available soon.

 

[Rogifan]

May. Or may not.

 

[Julien]

May. Or may not.

Both

Sport may charge slower
Sport may not charge as fast

They both (more or less) mean the same thing.

 

[0007776]

It seems like production costs would be cheaper to standardize on one charger so I doubt this will happen.

 

[Tanegashima]

No, Sport will charge faster, because it's "sport"

Mark from 9to5mac is biggest BS, and you all give him credit and page clicks.

Any more baseless, stupid rumor...

I am yet to see if the MBA is coming like they said...

 

[cmChimera]

No, Sport will charge faster, because it's "sport"

Mark from 9to5mac is biggest BS, and you all give him credit and page clicks.

Any more baseless, stupid rumor...

I am yet to see if the MBA is coming like they said...

His sources are usually spot on actually...

 

[Vundu]

It doesn't seem very Apple like to bung one with a cheaper plastic charger but who knows.

 

[Gav2k]

There were three chargers shown not two

 

[PhiLLoW]

No, Sport will charge faster, because it's "sport"

Mark from 9to5mac is biggest BS, and you all give him credit and page clicks.

Any more baseless, stupid rumor...

I am yet to see if the MBA is coming like they said...

I agree. All his posts are just for attention and clickbait. That guy is a drama queen.

 

[Julien]

There were three chargers shown not two

What is the 3ed? Was it (they) shown at the event? I thought only the metal back puck has been shown so far. I know Walt Mossberg, David Pogue(??) and a few others (??) got an inside look at the Edition crater case. However I was under the impression it was more of a stand/holder with the metal back puck mounted to the back.

 

[Gav2k]

What is the 3ed? Was it (they) shown at the event? I thought only the metal back puck has been shown so far. I know Walt Mossberg, David Pogue(??) and a few others (??) got an inside look at the Edition crater case. However I was under the impression it was more of a stand/holder with the metal back puck mounted to the back.

There was a plastic one mentioned being seen at the keynote demo (tho this was never confirmed with photographic evidence)

The metal one and the metal one in the box for the edition.

 

[Julien]

There was a plastic one mentioned being seen at the keynote demo (tho this was never confirmed with photographic evidence)

The metal one and the metal one in the box for the edition.

So the plastic was shown at the event? Gurman only speculated that the plastic back MIGHT charge slower (or might charge the same). So it may be the same electronics but just have a cheeper plastic back for the Sport and nicer metal back for the SS & Edition.

 

[Vundu]

So the plastic was shown at the event? Gurman only speculated that the plastic back MIGHT charge slower (or might charge the same). So it may be the same electronics but just have a cheeper plastic back for the Sport and nicer metal back for the SS & Edition.

That makes more sense.

 

[Tanegashima]

His sources are usually spot on actually...

When?

I bet my left nut for MacBook air and apple watch.

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That makes more sense.

No, it doesn't, because the ss/gold has a zirconia back. The aluminum has a composite materials one, probably some kind of plastic.

Both are transparent to magnetic induction.

 

[cmChimera]

When?

Pretty much always. Can you point out some times where Mark Gurman was wrong? I don't mean something like, "the mockup had grey bezels, but the final version has glass. I mean just wrong.

 

[Mr. Buzzcut]

No, it doesn't, because the ss/gold has a zirconia back. The aluminum has a composite materials one, probably some kind of plastic.

Both are transparent to magnetic induction.

Not sure why this isn't obvious to people. What does the case have to do with charging? It would have to be differences in the coil or brick.

 

[valleian]

I cannot see why Apple would go through all the trouble of producing two different chargers because one is cheaper. Did they waste money doing so for the iPhone 5c? How about the iPod Mini or Nano?

 

[Vundu]

When?

I bet my left nut for MacBook air and apple watch.

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No, it doesn't, because the ss/gold has a zirconia back. The aluminum has a composite materials one, probably some kind of plastic.

Both are transparent to magnetic induction.

A plastic back on the puck will effect this how? It won't. The connection side that faces the watch will be the same.

 

[Julien]

I cannot see why Apple would go through all the trouble of producing two different chargers because one is cheaper. Did they waste money doing so for the iPhone 5c? How about the iPod Mini or Nano?

They make a cheeper charger for the iPhone than the iPad when they could just make one.

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A plastic back on the puck will effect this how? It won't. The connection side that faces the watch will be the same.

Just to add, I don't think Gurman was implying that the plastic back made any difference. I'm sure he meant the wattage, electronics or coil might be higher quality in the metal back puck for faster charging.

 

[Mr. Buzzcut]

It's interesting watching all the threads on how the non-sport models will be superior in various aspects other than case materials. It's as if people are pre-justifying the added expense for Apple and themselves by creating a need versus a want. I will be VERY surprised if any of these differences materialize.

 

[Piggie]

It's interesting watching all the threads on how the non-sport models will be superior in various aspects other than case materials. It's as if people are pre-justifying the added expense for Apple and themselves by creating a need versus a want. I will be VERY surprised if any of these differences materialize.

Indeed yes.

I think this is mainly due to some media idiot who people are listening to, who has plucked some fantasy price points out of the air.

Due to these wild price points, some are trying to add more value to these versions, as you say, to try and justify the price.

In reality, the Stainless version should probably be no more than $50 more than the Aluminium version.

The raw material cost difference is probably something like $2
A little longer machining time, with a little more tool life wear.

And a small piece of sapphire which Is itself only a few dollars as we know from when this was speculated for use on phones and the costs there.

If you went for the same rubber strap, then the price difference between the aluminium sports and the stainless should really be quite small.

Some are speculating here, it could be up to 3x the cost.

 

[Julien]

It's interesting watching all the threads on how the non-sport models will be superior in various aspects other than case materials. It's as if people are pre-justifying the added expense for Apple and themselves by creating a need versus a want. I will be VERY surprised if any of these differences materialize.

I started the thread because it is an interesting tidbit of info. I'm not trying to self-justify spending more $ for the SS. In fact I'm buying the $350 Sport no matter what charger, packaging, accessories or any other differences may or may not be.

 

[Tanegashima]

A plastic back on the puck will effect this how? It won't. The connection side that faces the watch will be the same.

Affects by not affecting.

They just have to chose a plastic which is low magnetic permeability.

Which is easy, as long as they don't iron. Just any normal polymer will do.

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It's interesting watching all the threads on how the non-sport models will be superior in various aspects other than case materials. It's as if people are pre-justifying the added expense for Apple and themselves by creating a need versus a want. I will be VERY surprised if any of these differences materialize.

Better or not, some people like to feel the weight of a watch. So, let them have what they want.

Also, stainless steel will scratch easily, but it's eternal, you just have to visit someone that polishes watches to have your Apple Watch look as brand new.

It's a shame tough they won't put sapphire on the sport...

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Pretty much always. Can you point out some times where Mark Gurman was wrong? I don't mean something like, "the mockup had grey bezels, but the final version has glass. I mean just wrong.

All he posted about Apple Watch and MacBook Air.

 

[Rogifan]

Just to add, I don't think Gurman was implying that the plastic back made any difference. I'm sure he meant the wattage, electronics or coil might be higher quality in the metal back puck for faster charging.

So is this purely a cost thing i.e. pay a premium for the SS or Edition watch and it will charge faster? Considering all three products are the same size and most likely contain the same battery it would be unfortunate if one model charged faster than another.

 

[Julien]

So is this purely a cost thing i.e. pay a premium for the SS or Edition watch and it will charge faster? Considering all three products are the same size and most likely contain the same battery it would be unfortunate if one model charged faster than another.

If true then that is what it appears to be. Also if true (and remember part of it is my conjecture added on to Gurman prediction) we still don't know the recharge times. It could be (from 0% to 100%) 2 hours for the metal and 4 hours for the plastic (or throw in your own mix/theory). So it may not be that big of a deal. Also you could just buy the metal puck if you need the faster charge times.