Rumor: Apple Watch gets 16nm SOC, GPS and more battery capacity

Apple is reportedly coming with two Apple Watch variants in the second half of this year. In addition to an update of the current model with a 16nm soc, the Apple Watch 2 comes with GPS and a battery with a larger capacity. That claims a well-known analyst.

In addition to a processor that the company has produced at TSMC at 16nm, the current Apple Watch will be more resistant to water. KGI analyst Min-Chi Kuo speaks of an iterative update, according to Apple Insider, which received documents containing the analyst’s advice to investors. Min-Chi Kuo is an Apple watcher who regularly accurately incorporates information about upcoming Apple products into his investor recommendations, based on his contacts with suppliers.

Samsung makes the current S1 soc of the Apple Watch on a 28nm process. The move to 16nm production can make the processor, which Apple calls a system in package because of the integration of ram and flash, more economical and compact, while the clock speed may also be increased.

In addition to an update of the current Apple Watch, the company is rumored to release an Apple Watch 2. This watch will have the same appearance as the existing model: Apple would have opted for a larger battery capacity and the thicker battery would prevent the Watch 2 from becoming thinner. In addition, the Apple Watch 2 would get GPS support and a barometer. Earlier rumors already talked about LTE support for the Apple Watch 2, but Kuo thinks this will only be added in 2017. The introduction of the new Apple Watch models would take place in September, along with that of the iPhone 7.