Apple Watch ‘Series 3’ Will Keep Same Design and Introduce LTE Models: KGI

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, also known as a “three-eyed raven” when it comes to Apple’s product roadmap, has released a new research note regarding the next-generation Apple Watch.

The note, obtained by 9to5Mac, has Kuo saying Apple Watch will retain its original design in its third-generation, and not debut a new form factor, as claimed in earlier reports.

The next ‘Series 3’ Apple Watch will, however, introduce LTE networking to the smartwatch lineup, similar to how we have cellular LTE iPads. But Kuo predicts these Apple Watch models will not support slower 3G connections, which could impact the market availability of this smart watch.

New Apple Watch models are predicted to see 8 to 9 million units shipped in the latter half of 2017, with the cellular LTE model taking 35-40 per cent of orders. Apple Watch sales overall are forecasted to hit 17.5 to 18 million units shipped in 2017.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported LTE networking would be coming to Apple Watch, with a debut by the end of the year. John Gruber from Daring Fireball added the next Apple Watch would come in an “all-new form factor”, citing a detail ‘missed’ by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, but later updated his post to say his “tidbit came from an unconfirmed birdie, though, so I wouldn’t be the house on it.”

Earlier today, a report by Digitimes said the next Apple Watch was expected to ship in Q4 of 2017.

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