With each product release and unveiling, especially from a top-tier tech company like Apple, you can expect no less than these usual suspects: scratch tests, stress tests, and best of all, the inevitable teardown video.
Barely a week ago, iFixit's teardown of the iPhone 7 Plus made its rounds on the internet. Now, it's the Apple Watch Series 2's turn to unravel. It was only a matter of time before the folks over at iFixit could get their hands on the new Apple Watch and tear it down for the whole internet to see.
"Our iPhone 7 Plus is still on the chopping block, but we just can't help ourselves—it's time to look at Apple Watch Series 2," said iFixit.
Apple unveiled its Apple Watch Series 2 on Sept. 7, replete with new features including a new built-in GPS chip, a 50 percent faster dual-core chip, an all-new water-resistant body and a second generation OLED Retina Display with Force Touch, among other numerous improvements.
iFixit drilled down every nook and cranny of the Series 2, a meticulous silicon autopsy that revealed, per usual, Apple's design and engineering prowess. iFixit pried the Series 2 open and found a much stronger adhesive than in the 2015 model, likely for the purpose of water resistance, as iFixit speculated.
Tearing inside also revealed an improved 273 mAh battery, 32 percent larger than the original 205 mAh inside the first-gen watch. This, however, doesn't mean an extended battery life. The beefier battery accounts for powering up the device's built-in GPS and the brighter screen. Meaning, both generations of the Apple Watch will still offer 18 hours of battery life.
The teardown also revealed the new dual-core S2 chip and a second microphone located at the back of the processor. The additional microphone is likely for improved voice recognition, useful for Siri commands.
The device is loaded with a redesigned speaker, acting as a hydrophobic pump. It is equipped to perform vibrations in order to dispel water the moment it gets in. Apple says the watch can resist water intrusion up to 50 meters, allowing users to enjoy innocuous water activities like swimming, with their wrist-strapped Series 2 watches unscathed.
It's important to note that first-gen Apple Watches are different from the new Apple Watch Series 1. The former refers to the original 2015 release, while the latter refers to a new and slightly refreshed watch with a new dual-core processor, but no GPS and other features Series 2 has.
The Apple Watch Series 2 comes in 2 sizes: 38mm (272 by 340 pixels) and a slightly larger 42mm (312 by 390 pixels) configuration. Both Series 1 and Series 2 watches come with watchOS 3 onboard. They are available now, with Series 1 set at $269 and Series 2 at $369.
