Two Versions of Apple Watch Expected for Release Later This Year, One Featuring GPS, Barometer, and Larger Battery

With the upcoming release of the iPhone 7, we’ve already seen leaked components, prototypes, cases, dummy units, and more – so we have a pretty good idea of how the next iteration of the iPhone will look and perform. Aside from a few sporadic rumors, however, we haven’t heard much about the Apple Watch 2. A research note sent out Sunday by well-connected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, however, details what to expect with the Apple Watch 2, and it may be coming sooner than many people originally thought.

Kuo’s research note, obtained by AppleInsider, states that Apple will likely release two new Apple Watches near the end of 2016 – likely alongside the iPhone 7 in early September. One model will be a slight upgrade to the current Apple Watch, sporting a better processor and improved waterproofing. The second model, which will likely be referred to as the Apple Watch 2, is expected to include a GPS, barometer, and a larger battery, as well aforementioned improved processor and waterproofing. According to Kuo, although the new Watches will see some performance and feature upgrades, the form factor will likely remain the same – even retaining the same thickness in order to accommodate the larger battery.

Looking a bit further into the future, Kuo’s note states that another Apple Watch model with the same form factor will release in 2017, this time bringing LTE support for cellular and data functionality. We will have to wait until 2018 to see major design changes, Kuo states, which will likely come alongside FDA approvals with more medical and health applications, and possibly 5G support.

Kuo has a stellar track record when it comes to predictions surrounding Apple products, recently predicting several specs on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus correctly, almost everything about the iPhone SE correctly, and he was one of the first to mention the dual-camera system that we will likely see on the iPhone 7 Plus this September. Unfortunately, Kuo’s note didn’t mention anything about a FaceTime camera or improved Wi-Fi capabilities that have been so heavily rumored for the Apple Watch 2 in the past. Hopefully those are two features that we will see integrated into the device when it launches.

The Apple Watch 2 (and perhaps a souped-up version of the original Apple Watch) will likely debut at the iPhone 7 release event early next month, with an expected date of September 6^th or 7^th. Pre-orders for the iPhone 7 are expected to become available on September 9^th, with a ship date for September 16^th. It isn’t unreasonable to expect that the new Apple Watch may follow the same timeline.

[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.]