Rumor: Apple ramping up procurement for second-gen Apple Watch, could release units this fall

In the midst of a news-filled week at WWDC, sources within the supply chain have been cited as saying that Apple may be gearing up to launch the second-generation Apple Watch alongside the iPhone 7, in September.

Shipments of chips and components for the second-generation Apple Watch are set to begin in the third quarter, the sources indicated.

While the time frame is understandably vague, the component production range of July to September would be compatible with Apple launching the Watch with the iPhone 7. If the next iPhone is an iterative model, as widely expected, then a new Watch could give the launch event more punch.

The report also suggests that Apple may be looking for an appreciable bump in sales. While Apple has never officially released the sales numbers of its Apple Watch units, an expected production rate of two million units per month indicates that Apple is expecting a substantial boost in popularity from the next-generation model.

Part of that optimism may stem from the fact that watchOS 3 appears to have significantly boosted the usability of the platform, sluggish app opening and Glances replaced with a new dock of frequently-used apps opening almost instantly. Couple that to new hardware and the Watch could become a significantly more compelling device.

Still, this is all hearsay for the time being.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Via DigiTimes