05 August, 2017
The next generation Apple Watch might break free from your iPhone and connect directly to cellular networks, according to a report from reliable insider Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who cited "people familiar with the matter". Bringing cellular connectivity to the Apple Watch has been rumored before but didn't ship with the last revision which instead focused on Global Positioning System.
Likely called the Apple Watch Series 3, Gurman speculated that the variant of the device could still be "delayed beyond 2017", just as previous rumors of an LTE-enabled Watch have been "delayed".
According to the report, Apple intends on introducing the cellular capable watch alongside the three new iPhones this fall.
Apple Watch now requires the iPhone for sending and receiving messages, making phone calls, and syncing music for offline playback.
Apple refreshed its Apple Watch last September and we expect the new model will be out around that time this year. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile reportedly have plans to sell the gadget. One of Bloomberg's sources says Intel is supplying the LTE modem for the new Apple Watch. However, we've previously heard that Apple was working on a cellular version of the watch, but has had to delay the new model due to battery life concerns.
The new device could still be delayed beyond 2017 - indeed, the company had already postponed a cellular-capable smartwatch a year ago.
Apple didn't immediately reply to a request for comment.