Apple Watch Series 3 Rumored to Feature LTE Connectivity and More

Chronicling his escapades from a recent tour through Apple’s Far East supply chain, Susquehanna Financial Group analyst, Christopher Rolland, indicated that he was able to meet with several of Apple’s largest suppliers — including Broadcom and Qualcomm — and unearthed insider knowledge about the Silicon Valley tech-giant’s forthcoming products, including the Apple Watch Series 3.

Most notably, as we’ve heard several times before, the Cupertino-company’s 3rd generation wearable will more than likely boast a Cellular/LTE chip all its own, according to a report published by Barron’s. Specifically, Rolland indicated that he heard via multiple supply chain insiders how the Apple Watch Series 3 will not only boast a SIM card slot, but in order to offset the battery consumption demands of LTE, Apple is likely to outfit its 3rd generation Watch with a “low-power CAT-M1 LTE chip” in addition to Voice over IP (VoIP) functionality.

“We understand a model of the next Apple watch will include a SIM card, and therefore is likely to support LTE” Rolland indicated to Barron’s, while adding, however, that “Some issues remain.”  

Chiefly among them include battery life, as well as the wearable’s size in relation to its form factor. However, Rolland noted that significant progress has been made, and that there’s evidence suggesting Cupertino could employ combined VoIP functionality and LTE data access via an ultra power efficient CAT-M1 chip, such as was recently announced by Verizon Wireless to promote superior battery life.

More information from Rolland’s trip includes the revelation that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 7s, iPhone 7s Plus, and OLED-equipped iPhone 8 will all boast inductive wireless charging capabilities — with the entire array of compatible transmitter pads currently being manufactured by Pegatron and Foxconn. If true, this would echo an earlier report which suggested that the entire trifecta of 2017 iPhones would feature wireless charging — a sentiment initially spearheaded by KGI Securities analyst, Ming Chi Kuo.

Last but certainly not least, Rolland indicated that various Apple suppliers are currently investigating an iPhone-bound “hybrid charging” solution of some sort, which will reportedly embody a Lightning / USB-C combination. What remains unclear is how exactly this new solution would be implemented. However, Rolland noted that the technology is very young at this point, and therefore is unlikely to debut in 2017 although it could certainly launch at some point next year.

Interestingly, an earlier report from The Wall Street Journal had suggested that the upcoming ‘iPhone 8′ would feature USB-C charging in place of Apple’s proprietary Lightning port; however, that rumor was quickly debunked.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]