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Todd Hamilton
Apple’s rumored iWatch could be as much of a high-end fashion accessory as a high-tech gadget.
AppleInsider got its hands on a research note from KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is known for successful predictions on Apple products, that says two sizes of the device could be on consumers’ wrists by this fall and certain models might cost upwards of several thousand dollars.
Kuo expects the reported iWatch casing and band to come in several different materials, which could mean some versions of the wearable would cost more than others. Kuo says the high-end version could be comparable to luxury watches and carry a very costly price tag.
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Along with the price and launch predictions, Kuo believes the rumored iWatch will come in two sizes — both a 1.3-inch and 1.5-inch display. The display is said to be flexible AMOLED with sapphire cover, which means the screen may be curved to mimic the shape of a user’s wrist. Additionally, Kuo forecasts the wearable to carry a 200 to 250mAh cell battery that should power it for at least one day, which is longer than average for many smartwatches.
Samsung, Sony , ZTE , and other tech players have already unveiled their own smartwatches, so Apple is already fashionably late to this party. But the iPhone-maker could shake up the smartwatch market with a device that is different in both performance and design from its rival products.
Rumors about the purported iWatch have been flying over the past few months. Beyond having the reported ability to sync with iPhones and iPads, the device is also said to be able to serve as a health and fitness tracker by tapping into an iOS 8 app called Healthbook.
On Tuesday, Taiwan’s Economic Daily News also reported that the wearable could be unveiled in the third quarter of this year with Apple aiming to produce a total of 65 million iWatches.
CNET contacted Apple for comment and will update the story with any further details.
(Via AppleInsider).
