Apple Watch 2 coming in 2016 – reports

Barely had the excitement over the first Apple Watch died down when a second is reportedly in the works and may launch as early as 2016, according to tech site reports.

 

Korea-based MK News cited an official knowledgable with Apple saying Korea-based LG may again be the supplier of the new Apple Watch's display.

 

"LG Display (LGD) will be the exclusive supplier for the panels used by second-generation Apple Watch due out for next year, in addition to first-generation Apple Watch launched in April, said sources," it said.

 

It said the panel LG Display will supply involves plastic-organic light emitting diodes (P-OLED), which "offers higher resolution than liquid crystal display (LCD) and is a display plastic substrate which uses plastic, instead of glasses, to make it flexible."

 

The MK News report added Apple’s choice of LGD boiled down to three factors - high quality, fast supply, and close partnership. 

 

A separate report on G for Games said LG, already a supplier for the first-gen Watch, might continue to be Apple’s sole display supplier for the second Watch.

 

It added its sources in Korea indicated Apple did not make this decision lightly.

 

"(T)he Cupertino-based giant considered multiple suppliers for the next gen Watch’s display, but eventually settled with LG as an exclusive partner. This strategy goes against Apple’s usual M.O. of using multiple suppliers for a specific component, but sources add that Apple settled on this decision because LG’ performance on the P-OLED smartwatch display market is unmatched, offering high quality products and good yield," it said.

 

Meanwhile, T3.com said it is not clear at this time if Apple Watch 2 will follow a 12-month cycle and launch in April, or if it will launch alongside a new iPhone in September. — Joel Locsin/RSJ, GMA News