Apple Watch 2 Said to Enter Mass Production in Mid 2016

Quanta will be the sole manufacturer of the second-generation Apple Watch, according to a few sources out of the China supply chain (via DigiTimes). The same sources believe that the manufacturing company will ramp up mass production on the "Apple Watch 2" sometime in the second quarter of 2016, following reports that it began a trial production on the smartwatch this month.

apple-watch-trio-new
The reason for Quanta's status as the only Apple Watch 2 manufacturer stems from rumors surrounding Apple's predicted low-volume production output for the second-generation wearable device. Citing "weaker than expected shipments" of the first Apple Watch, the supply chain sources point to the company's tempered production forecast for its next version of the wrist-worn device.

Apple originally considered shifting some second-generation Apple Watch orders to Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), but decided to keep all the orders with Quanta as volumes will not be high, the sources noted. Because of Apple Watch's weaker than expected shipments, Apple recently reduced the device's shipment forecast for 2016 down further from its estimate in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Although Apple has remained quiet on specific sales numbers for the Apple Watch, estimates put the wearable as a consistent rival to similar products, including Fitbit, with numbers only growing in the lead-up to the holiday season last year. Recent rumors point to the possibility of an interim update for the Apple Watch in March, including only one or two new features (like a FaceTime camera), and with a proper full 2.0 model released later in the year.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Tag: Quanta
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...

Top Rated Comments

macduke Avatar
131 months ago
An interim update makes no sense. Either we'll see a new Apple Watch this spring or this autumn. Not both.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Trian Avatar
131 months ago
Because of Apple Watch's weaker than expected shipments, Apple recently reduced the device's shipment forecast for 2016 down further from its estimate in the fourth quarter of 2015.
It seems Apple's marketing and pricing genii are finally waking up to the fact that people still do possess common sense.

The watch itself is way overpriced. Especially the two higher editions. Then it's the bracelets: You can't release a $450 link bracelet. $450!!! You're not Cartier, mate, or another well-established fashion brand. It's electronics you sell. That's sheer theft, when a decent third-party equivalent (from a respected vendor) costs $50-60. Or you can't charge $150-250 for the other "premium" bracelets.

Hopefully this year Apple will:
- apply a more reasonable pricing model to the Watch and its bracelets
- give it a much needed battery boost. Other smartwear can last two days or more, which a) makes them practical for sleep tracking and most importantly, b) makes them forgiving in case you forget to charge them overnight. Not so the  Watch. You forgot to charge it overnight, it very likely stays at home for the day.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Keane16 Avatar
131 months ago
It seems Apple's marketing and pricing genii are finally waking up to the fact that people still do possess common sense.

The watch itself is way overpriced. Especially the two higher editions. Then it's the bracelets: You can't release a $450 link bracelet. $450!!! You're not Cartier, mate, or another well-established fashion brand. It's electronics you sell. That's sheer theft, when a decent third-party equivalent (from a respected vendor) costs $50-60. Or you can't charge $150-250 for the other "premium" bracelets.

Hopefully this year Apple will:
- apply a more reasonable pricing model to the Watch and its bracelets
- give it a much needed battery boost. Other smartwear can last two days or more, which a) makes them practical for sleep tracking and most importantly, b) makes them forgiving in case you forget to charge them overnight. Not so the  Watch. You forgot to charge it overnight, it very likely stays at home for the day.
I don't know. My previous daily watch was a Hugo Boss. Nothing special. Cost about £300.

The strap/bracelet broke, they wanted £150 for the replacement. I was pretty stunned.

So I bought the Apple Watch Sport instead of repairing it. The Apple Watch cost less than the Hugo Boss, uses better materials and does more

The Link Bracelet is in a different league to the Hugo Boss one that broke. If Boss can charge £150 for their average stainless steel bracelet. Apple can charge more - £379 still seems steep but in the watch market it's about par for what you're getting.

Macs, iPhones and iPods have never been cheap compared to the competition. Why do people think the Apple Watch would suddenly be priced low.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
orbital~debris Avatar
131 months ago

The watch itself is way overpriced. Especially the two higher editions. Then it's the bracelets: You can't release a $450 link bracelet. $450!!! You're not Cartier, mate, or another well-established fashion brand. It's electronics you sell. That's sheer theft, when a decent third-party equivalent costs $50-60. Or you can't charge $150-250 for the other "premium" bracelets.
Watch
Except they can, and do.

And when as much care and attention is put into the design, materials & production, as Apple have done with Apple Watch, there's no difference between them - in this respect - and an established "fashion brand".
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
131 months ago
Let's go!!! I'm ready to order my new Apple Watch.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StevenPG Avatar
131 months ago
Personally I enjoy my Apple Watch Sport. It is true there's not one thing that it does that makes it worth the $250 (US on sale) price I got mine for, but just like the iPhone it's the many small things it does that makes it worth it. It took me a long time to purchase one because I was also concerned about what it does that makes it worth it. Now it is the first thing I do in the morning. Put on my watch. Before this watch I hadn't worn a watch in maybe 5 years.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)