Manufacturing of components for new Apple Watch models has begun: the announcement is approaching
Online edition DigiTimes reports that ASE Technology, one of Apple’s suppliers, has begun packaging SiP chips (system inbox) for at least two new Apple Watch models and third-generation AirPods wireless headphones. Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that the new Apple Watch family will include a successor to the Apple Watch Series 5 and a replacement for Series 3 that will compete with fitness trackers such as Fitbit.
While new Apple Watch models usually hit the market in September, their launch is expected to be pushed back to October this year, similar to iPhones, which are delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The new smartwatch is rumored to be based on the faster S6 processor and offers enhanced health monitoring capabilities as well as faster Wi-Fi and cellular data speeds. The fact that the supply chain of key components for the new watches is only now operational is an indirect confirmation of the fact that their sales will not be able to start in the near future.
DigiTimes also claims that the third-generation AirPods will be released in 2021, which is in line with the timeline previously quoted by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said they would be unveiled in the first half of next year. Also in the near future, the launch of the 10.8-inch iPad Air tablet, a smaller version of the HomePod smart speaker, AirPods on-ear headphones, the new Apple TV set-top box, and AirTag trackers is expected. Most of these products are expected to be shown before the end of this year.
