Apple Watch 3, the third-generation smartwatch from the company is expected to get introduced alongside the iPhone 7S, 7S Plus and iPhone 8 in September this year. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known analyst from KGI Securities, the Apple Watch 3 won’t be coming with an overhaul improvement to its design compared to the predecessor model.
In early August, Bloomberg had reported that the Apple Watch 3 would be carrying support for LTE connectivity. This means users of the Apple Watch 3 will be able to use it as a standalone without the need of pairing up with an iPhone. It is expected to come with an embedded SIM that will make it possible for the user to make phone calls and send messages through the Apple Watch 3. LTE connectivity on Apple Watch 3 can allow users to stream music directly to the Watch 3.
Kuo has added that the main attraction of the Apple Watch 3 will be its LTE connectivity feature. The major carriers of the United States are expected to provide add-on cellular service for the upcoming Watch 3. The plans provided by them are likely to be similar to the data plans for iPads. The Apple Watch 3 will be arriving in same two sizes like its predecessor, 38 mm and 42 mm. These models will be available in LTE and non-LTE editions.
The Bloomberg report had claimed that the third generation Apple Watch 3 will be coming with an all-new form factor, but Kuo is of the view that it will be arriving with minimal changes in design. He claims that Apple Watch shipments will reach 8 to 9 million mark in the second half of this year. He further stated that 35 to 40 percent shipments will be accounted by the upcoming LTE Apple Watch and the company is expected to ship 17.5 to 18 million Apple Watch units in the entire year.
According to Kuo, in order to meet significant sales growth, the Cupertino company should bring a major change in the design of the Apple Watch. Adding more medical and health-centric apps and 5G support would also help in improving its sales. Apart from the heavily rumored iPhone 8, the company is speculated to be working on iPhone SE 2 that is rumored to get announced in Q1 2018. Apple is slated to debut its HomePod smart speaker at the end of this year.
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