The second-generation Apple Watch is set to adopt new “One Glass Solution” technology for its display, according to the latest rumor out of Asia.
Apple’s new wearable is expected to debut later this year and while previous rumors have claimed it won’t feature any major design changes, Apple supplier TPK Holding supposedly let it slip that Apple is using one of its new displays that could save Apple some space on the inside.
“The large loss for the second quarter was mainly because touch panel orders for iPhones continued to decrease, and Apple will change touch panel technology from G/G to OGS (one glass solution) in the new Apple Watch to be launched in the second half of 2016,” TPK said according to DigiTimes.
Producing the new touch panels was more difficult than the company anticipated and supposedly caused yield rates to be much lower. There’s no word if the production issues will cause the Apple Watch 2 to be in low supply during launch, which could come as soon as September.
Switching to One Glass Solution replaces one of the two layers of glass on traditional G/G display with a thinner material. The end result could give Apple a tiny bit of extra room for a bigger battery or another hardware component like GPS or LTE antenna.
The Apple Watch 2 is only expected to contain minor under the hood performance improvements, with a redesigned model launching in 2017 that will bring LTE data, better battery life and possibly new sensors.