Apple may officially launch its much-rumored iWatch this year after all, but it will be available only in limited quantities, according to one analyst.
As the wearable device market is rapidly growing and increasingly gaining momentum, more heavyweight companies are expected to join the race, including Apple. The company's much-rumored iWatch is one of the most highly-anticipated devices of this year and is expected to mark a great step forward for the smartwatch market, but recent whispers have indicated that it may suffer some delays.
Well-connected and trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has now issued another research note in regards to Apple's iWatch, predicting that it may face supply constraints when it launches later this year.
As Apple Insider reports, Kuo believes that Apple will launch its iWatch in limited quantities this year, shipping only three million units by the end of 2014. Kuo based his assumptions on his supply chain checks.
The analyst further mentions in his research note that market expectations for Apple's iWatch are for between five and ten million units. Delayed production however, will lower that number to roughly three million units by the end of the year. Apple is apparently facing some issues with the iWatch, particularly with the sapphire display glass cover, and this expected delay in production will be the result of those hurdles.
Furthermore, Kuo believes that those issues with sapphire glass may force Apple to go with a normal glass cover instead. The same research note also mentioned TPK as the supplier of the sapphire glass to be used in the iWatch.
Apple has not confirmed its iWatch plans so far, but the rumor mill is nonetheless churning in anticipation of the big launch. While some rumors suggested that Apple may take the wraps off its smartwatch at a press event in October, other reports claimed that production issues will delay the launch until 2015.
With nothing official at this point, however, it is highly recommended to take all leaks, rumors, and reports with a grain of salt. This includes the latest research note from Ming-chi Kuo, as it's only a prediction based on what bits of information have surfaced so far. We'll keep you up to date as soon as more details become available, so stay tuned.
