The Apple Watch 3 might not even need an iPhone. Here’s what we know so far.
Update: Apple has sent out invites to its annual fall event, taking place on September 12 at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California. While the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7S pair will be the main attractions, reports indicate the Apple Watch 3 will be unveiled as well. We’ll be on the ground to bring you all the latest – stay tuned!
The Apple Watch 3 is surely coming, as we’ve seen that the brand is testing new ideas for the third generation of the wearable.
Sure, the smartwatch market isn’t exactly on fire, but Apple is still a leader in the space and a new effort to make the Watch more health focused will surely pay dividends in terms of being more than just another phone screen to become obsessed with.
The rumors are trickling out for the Apple Watch 3, but we’re still not seeing anything concrete that the device will appear alongside the iPhone 8… however, there’s a really good chance that an all-new Watch would gain a huge halo alongside this massive phone reboot Apple is planning.
This guide will keep you up to date with all the latest news and rumors, along with our own analysis.
And if that’s not enough we’ve put our heads together and worked out the features we think you want to see – let us know if you want to see something else too.
Cut to the chase
What is it? The next wearable from Apple
The next wearable from Apple When is it out? Late 2017 or early 2018 probably
Late 2017 or early 2018 probably What will it cost? More than most smartwatches
We can be fairly confident there will be at least a year between the Apple Watch 2 and the Apple Watch 3, and with Apple hosting an event on September 12, we likely have the date we’ll meet the third-generation Apple Watch.
WatchOS 4 will launch at some point in the fall/autumn this year, so that also backs up the time frame for the Apple Watch reveal.
If it arrives in September, it will likely launch alongside the iPhone 8. But the original Apple Watch launched in April, so perhaps we’ll be waiting until April 2018, or maybe Apple will choose another date altogether.
All we can say for sure is that you’ve got a long time to save, as we don’t really expect this to be a yearly-refreshed device from Apple, as it would create too many variants with not a lot to actually put in as an upgrade.
One of the most recent rumors does suggest Quanta Computer will no longer be the sole manufacturer of the Apple Watch 3 and it will now share production with rival Compal. The rumor also suggests it will launch in the second half of 2017, so alongside the iPhone 8 may be a possibility.
On the other hand, another source has claimed the Apple Watch 3 will be made by Quanta and the firm is set to see its profits raise at the end of 2017 because of the release.
Tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also claimed the Apple Watch 3 will launch before the end of the year, adding fuel to the flames that we’ll see it released alongside the iPhone 8.
TechRadar’s take: Apple doesn’t seem to see the Apple Watch as a device which needs refreshing every year, but we may see one before the end of 2017.
Apple Watch 3 screen
Hottest leaks:
A Micro-LED display
We wouldn’t expect the size or shape of the screen to change for the Apple Watch Series 3, so expect a square 1.65-inch display.
It’s likely to still be OLED too, especially now that Apple is rumored to be moving towards that tech for the iPhone 8, and it offers such great technological benefits.
On the other hand, it’s also been rumored Apple is considering Micro-LED panels for its next generation wearable. These are brighter and more power-efficient than OLED, but they also tend to be more expensive.
That would solve one key issue (or at least help) : improving the battery life of these devices.
Whatever the technology, there’s a good chance that the resolution will remain at 390 x 312, as Apple rarely seems in any hurry to up the resolution of its devices.
Saying that, this is one area which could stand to be improved, as while the Apple Watch 2 has a fairly crisp display it’s not quite pin-sharp, which isn’t ideal given that analog watches don’t have to worry about this issue, and Apple would love to be the equal (or better) of anything in that market.
TechRadar’s take: Apple is sure to improve the screen in some ways, be it a jump in resolution or changing the display technology, but don’t expect big changes.
Apple Watch 3 design
Hottest leaks:
A platinum or Liquidmetal case
A smart band
A modular design
While the general shape and style of the Apple Watch 3 probably won’t be much different to the Apple Watch 2, certain aspects of the design could change substantially.
For one thing, there’s an Apple patent detailing a smart fabric wristband that could act as an extra display, showing the time or simple notifications. We’re wary of patents as they often don’t turn into anything, but this would be a clever way to extend the otherwise small screen of the Apple Watch.
We could also see new materials used in the case. Apple added a ceramic option for the Apple Watch Series 2, but there have been whispers of a titanium or platinum case, as reported by Apple Insider, and there have long been rumors of Apple working with Liquidmetal, which would be excellent for a timepiece.
It’s also possible that the Apple Watch 3 will be smaller and slimmer than current models. One rumor suggests the Apple Watch 3 may achieve this thinner design through Apple moving the haptic sensor to the strap of the watch.
Another patent even details a plan to include modular functionality on the strap of the watch. You could potentially add extra battery, biometric sensors, speakers, cameras or even solar cells to charge the device when out and about.
It would also let you swap out features to make sure your device doesn’t age so quickly.
On the other hand, the Apple Watch 2 is actually marginally thicker than the first generation, so Apple might choose to pack more tech in instead of slimming it down.
One thing that probably won’t change is the fact it’s water-resistant. This was a major new feature for the Apple Watch 2 and we’d be very surprised if Apple removed it for the Apple Watch 3.
While the Apple smartwatch design might not change all that much, on the flip side, blogger John Gruber of Daring Fireball says he’s heard this year’s Apple Watch will have an « all-new form factor ». What that means exactly he doesn’t say, but we could be in for a significant redesign after all.
TechRadar’s take: One or more new case materials are likely to be added, but most of the current ones will probably remain. The overall look of the Watch is unlikely to change much. We also don’t expect a modular design, as no-one seems to have cracked this yet.
Apple Watch 3 camera and battery
Hottest leaks:
A FaceTime camera
An improved wireless charger
The Apple Watch Series 2 doesn’t have a camera, but the Apple Watch Series 3 might. It’s a feature which was at one point rumored for the Apple Watch 2, allowing you to make and receive FaceTime calls, so it’s possible that the idea will be resurrected for the Apple Watch 3.
Battery life on the Apple Watch 2 is close to two days – much improved from the daily charge of the original Apple Watch, and while there’s no news on the Apple Watch 3’s battery life it seems unlikely that it would be any worse.
With multiple firms getting involved with e-ink or monochrome LCD displays for smartwatches, we can only hope that Apple might do the same by fusing a low-power screen with a high-resolution display, getting the best of both worlds.
And when it does come time to charge there might be a more convenient solution this time, as an Apple patent has been unearthed, showing a wireless charging stand that would charge the Watch no matter how it’s placed on the base.
This would not only make it easy to connect to the charger, but also mean you could charge the Watch while it’s lying at an angle, so you could for example use it as a bedside clock.
