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Report claims chip suppliers are preparing to ramp up Apple Watch production

Apple has yet to provide a specific launch date for the Apple Watch, leaving its early 2015 timeframe and internal memo revealing a spring launch after Chinese New Year as the only information to go by in terms of a release date. A new report by Taiwan-based DigiTimes, however, suggests that the Apple Watch could launch sooner rather than later next year.

According to DigiTimes, which has a hit-and-miss track record at reporting on Apple’s future product plans, chipmakers in Apple’s overseas supply chain are reportedly gearing up to begin production of the Apple Watch. The report, citing industry sources, claims that between 30 to 40 million units of the upcoming wearable device have been ordered.

A previous supply chain rumor claimed that Apple supplier Quanta Computer would begin Apple Watch production in January 2015, possibly just in time for a Valentine’s Day release. While it was originally considered to be unlikely that the smartwatch would be ready in time for Valentine’s Day, the supply chain ramping up production this month makes a February launch more realistic.

French website iGen.fr reported last week that the steel Apple Watch will start at $500 alongside a gold model that will retail for between $4,000 and $5,000. Apple previously claimed at its September event that the Apple Watch would start at $349, which likely applies to the entry-level Apple Watch Sport, but did not disclose further pricing information.

The report also backed up the Valentine’s Day launch date for the Apple Watch.

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Comments

  1. acslater017 - 9 years ago

    I am personally convinced but I don’t think they did a great job at explaining why it exists in the first place. They listed a ton of features and sort of breezed by the need that it addresses.

    Hopefully they will make a second pass and go a bit deeper into their goal with Apple Watch, who it’s for and its future potential.

    • taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

      From the keynote it’s made for people who want to track their fitness and doodle hearts.

      I’m hoping to see more true health orientated features. Bloods Glucose, oxygen levels, sleep tracking and more would be an easier sell. I’m hoping they are awaiting FDA approval to announce more health features.

    • 1. glanceable notifications
      2. health / fitness tracking
      3. identity / payments
      4. wrist-optimized apps

      • Dafty Punk - 9 years ago

        You forgot the Doodle Hearts….

      • taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

        Generous saying health tracking, from the demo it is a fitness tracker.

      • @daft ha ha, ha good point.

        @taoprophet fair enough, but you get my drift.

  2. Dương Thị Sinh - 9 years ago

    like

  3. Charles Stanley - 9 years ago

    if you need to get an iphone 6 asap check http://www.betastall.com they have few left in stock and it ships in time.

    iPhone 6 Plus

  4. Taste_of_Apple - 9 years ago

    Makes sense given the “early” 2015. Looking forward to trying this out.

  5. Stephen - 9 years ago

    Pretty sure apple watch sport is the middle series not the entry.

    It goes apple watch, Apple watch sport and Apple watch edition