The next version of the Apple Watch may use 3D-printed components.
Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with TF International Securities, said in a blog post that his latest survey indicates Apple is looking to 3D printing for some of the titanium mechanical parts in the next-gen Apple Watch Ultra.
“Although currently the mechanical parts made by 3D printing still have to go through the CNC process for back-end processes, it can still improve the production time and reduce the production cost,” he says.
Kuo says that IPG Photonics is the exclusive supplier of the laser components in the 3D printers used by Apple, and the printer suppliers are Farsoon and BLT.
If the shipments go well, we can potentially expect Apple to use 3D-printed parts for other devices as well, ultimately cutting down on production costs and improving supply chain issues.
Kuo’s post refers to a 2H23 launch for the wearable, or second half of 2023. We don’t know a ton about the second generation of the watch, but the rumor mill suggests it will have a larger screen, from its current 1.92 inches to 2.1 inches, which would allow the wearable to house a larger battery. The watch’s display might also be Micro LED, which would allow it to be brighter than the current model’s OLED screen.
If Apple sticks with its traditional release schedule, the company will likely release the iPhone 15 and new Apple Watches in September. The original Apple Watch Ultra was announced on Sept. 7, 2022, and launched on Sept. 23.
Along with a new Apple Watch Ultra, we will likely also see an Apple Watch Series 9. Of course, everything is still just a rumor, and we won’t know for sure until Apple sends out those event invites and Tim Cook takes the stage.