In a nutshell: Apple’s second-generation Watch Extremely may very well be noteworthy not due to what it provides, however due to what it takes away. A Weibo leaker with a confirmed monitor document claims the brand new Apple Watch Extremely will likely be lighter than its predecessor. The leaker did not go into specifics, however something weighing lower than the present model will doubtless be welcome.
The primary-gen Apple Watch Ultra arrived in September 2022 and ideas the scales at 61.3 grams, or 2.16 ounces. For comparability, the 41mm aluminum Apple Watch Sequence 8 weighs simply 32 grams whereas the bigger 45mm variant checks in at 38.8 grams (or 51.5 grams if you would like a stainless-steel physique).
Famend Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo just lately said he believes Apple is actively adopting 3D printing know-how and will put it to use to create titanium-based mechanical parts for the upcoming second-gen Apple Watch Extremely. 3D printed components would nonetheless should undergo CNC machining for back-end processes, Kuo added, however it might nonetheless reduce down on manufacturing time and cut back general manufacturing prices.
It is unclear if the 3D printed parts will assist contribute to creating the watch lighter.
Elaborating additional, Kuo stated IPG Photonics is the unique provider of laser parts for 3D printed watch components, with printers coming from Farsoon and BLT.
Apple is broadly anticipated to announce its new Watch Extremely alongside the Watch Sequence 9 within the coming months. Final 12 months, Apple unveiled its new Watch lineup in the course of the keynote for the iPhone 14 however we have additionally seen the corporate introduce new wearables individually. It is nonetheless too early to know if this 12 months’s Watch household will share the stage with the iPhone 15.
A rumor from earlier this 12 months steered the Apple Watch Sequence 9 will make the most of a processor primarily based on the A15 SoC from the iPhone 13. Not a lot else is thought concerning the wearable at this hour however that’ll doubtless change within the coming weeks as we inch nearer to the eventual reveal.
Picture credit score: Alek Olson, Nat Weerawong
