Apple is preparing for the official launch of its second-generation wearable smartwatch and what better way to do it than to stash a huge price off its predecessor.
According to 9to5Mac, the Apple Watch is now being sold for $200 which is less $150 of its original price.
Stores are now selling Apple Watch Sports 38mm Space Gray Aluminum case with a $200 price point. Best Buy claims they are selling it for $199, which is the cheapest retail price for the wearable.
Price markdowns are usually a precursor to the arrival of a new version which is probably why retailers want to clear their stock before the next one arrives in store.
According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi-Kou, the Apple Watch 2 will not be undergoing a huge change in terms of design when it comes out soon.
But it will have significant changes when it comes to functionality and dependability.
He says that the next-generation smartwatch will get most of its progress on the inside. The wearable gear will reportedly come with a better waterproof design, a GPS, a barometer, and an overall improved design.
Reports initially stated that the latest offering from Apple will also sport a thinner chassis and a new appearance.
However, that might not be the case as the Cupertino-based company is preparing bigger plans for the Apple Watch 3.
Kou also said that the smartwatch will have a more powerful processor and an improved performance that its predecessor.
As per IT Pro UK, up to five Apple Watch 2 models will be available. Over 3,500 Apple Watch apps are already available for download now.
The Watch OS 3, the updated Apple Watch operating system is set for an Autumn rollout.
As per Mac Rumors, the latest smartwatch from Apple will come with a 334 mAh lithium-ion battery. This means that the new model will have almost 35.7% longer battery life than its predecessor.
Photos of the alleged battery have been surfacing online and some suggest that the Apple Watch 2 will also sport a larger battery than the original version.
Although, some reports claim that the photo surfacing on the internet has the battery of the upcoming gear enlarged.
The Apple Watch is currently rated for up to 18 hours of mixed usage and up to 72 hours in Power Reserve mode on a single charge.
The Apple Watch 2 is expected to be released late in 2016 with a faster TMSC-built processor but it still won’t be coming with cellular capabilities.
The device is reported to launch in September alongside the iPhone 7 and the spec-bumped Apple Watch models.
The tech giant is also rumored to release the new iPad and MacBook models. Apple has already released their invitations for their September 7 event and many are already excited.
The new MacBook model will reportedly sport a digital touchscreen keyboard row. CNBC reports that the Cupertino-based company will also unveil a new iMac desktop.
Meanwhile, the new iPad Pro features smoother zooming, panning, scrolling, and annotations across the operating system.
Reports say that the new iPad Pro will be introduced during the September 7 event, but will be available in the market by October.
The original Apple Watch was released last year and came in four variants – the Apple Watch Sport, the Apple Watch Edition, the Apple Watch Hermes, and the Apple Watch.
All versions of Apple Watch have 8GB of storage and its operating system allows the user to store up to 2GB of music and 75Mb of photos.
The device features the Force Touch technology, which makes it pressure-sensitive and capable of distinguishing between a tap and a press.
It uses the S1 system-on-chip and a linear actuator called the ‘Taptic Engine’ to provide haptic feedback.
The Apple Watch 2 is expected to carry the same features, but with ample improvements to differentiate one from the other.