Apple could incorporate cellular connectivity in the third-generation Apple Watch putting an end to a long-run speculation, supply chain analyst believes.
Susquehanna Financial Group semiconductor analyst Christopher Rolland, who covers chip makers such as Broadcom and Qualcom, which supplies parts said that the Cupertino-based firm could include cellular modem chip in the next Apple Watch.
After taking a trip through Asia, Rolland claimed to Barrons: “We understand a model of the next Apple watch will include a SIM card, and therefore is likely to support LTE. We understand some issues remain, including battery life and form factor size, but significant progress has been made.
“Apple may be employing VOIP and data across a CAT-M1 connection for superior battery life. Apple will tout interoperability with the company’s AirPods (now on back order till May) to make and receive phone calls (perhaps a small win for Maxim with amps in each ear bud).”
Earlier rumours also highlighted Apple’s plans to bring cellular chip into the Watch to download sports score alerts, e-mail and mapping information while out of an iPhone's reach.
However, Apple executives pushed back the feature for later generation. It was said that the Apple is researching on low-power cellular chips, as the current cellular-chips consumes too much battery life.
Apple will be holding its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 5 in San Jose, California and is likely to unveil the new feature “Cellular network” for Apple Watch at the event.
