Expect an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, upgrade to Apple's best-selling wearable when it makes its comeback this coming spring.
The Apple Watch 2 - if that's what it's going to be called - may just follow the path of Apple's iPhone lineup with 2016 being the "S" version of the device.
As a curious public is apt to do, we've speculated that the next Apple Watch would have a circular face, a FaceTime camera, a wireless radio (freeing it from the iPhone) and other numerous features.
Setting aside our wildest and most wanting of fantasies, however, we should probably expect the least from Apple in this cycle of the Apple Watch's run in the market. Like the iPhone 6S, the next Apple Watch will be carrying over the same design and dimensions as the first Apple Watch from last year.
"Apple Watch: expect more of an 'S' version with similar design, upgraded components including processor[,] battery, new band styles. Unlikely to have a wireless radio, which would allow standalone (i.e. decoupled from iPhone)," says analyst Gene Munster.
Beyond that, most of the changes in this year's Apple Watch will be internal. That means the usual spec bumps in processor speed and battery life. There will probably be a few new band styles coming, too.
Ultimately, all these predictions are still based on the fact that Apple will indeed relaunch a wearable this coming March. Other rumors, on the other hand, suggest that while Apple will be holding an event, the Apple Watch will not be a part of it.
Though the Apple Watch might be a no-show, Apple's next iPhone and iPad are expected to make their debut at Apple's first major event of the year. As a result, it may make more sense to hold off on a third product to launch with the Apple Watch and just give it a fall release instead.
As with all things Apple, we'll never really know for sure until the day of the event when Tim Cook holds, or rather wears, an Apple product on his wrist. With about one more month left until the big day, we should be getting closer to finding out what Apple does indeed have in store for the Apple Watch.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns | Flickr
