Though there is no solid release date for the second generation Apple Watch 2, we expect it to be announced in March 2016 with an April 2016 launch, as Apple follows a yearly cycle with many of its devices – for the past few years iPhones have always been announced in September, etc. 

It's looking like this prediction might come true; according to reports, Apple will hold its next event in March 2016, at which it will unveil the Apple Watch 2, alongside the rumoured iPhone 6c and the iPad Air 3. A 9to5Mac report suggests that the Apple Watch will appear at that event but that it won’t ship until April, a year after the first Apple Watch went on sale.

However, one analyst claimed prior to the March event rumours that we may be seeing an Apple Watch a bit later on in the year – possibly not until May, June or even later in 2016.

Another rumour regarding the release date of the Apple Watch 2 comes from China - more specifically, the chairman of Quanta, Barry Lam. Quanta manufactured the first-generation Apple Watch, and we expect it’ll also be the manufacturer of the second-generation device, so when the chairman announced a general release date window at an investors meeting, people paid attention.

According to reports, Lam claims that we'll be seeing limited stock of the Apple Watch 2 near the end of Q2 2016, with more stock becoming available in Q3 2016. Based on this, it looks like the Apple Watch 2 will have a possible June 2016 release date, which falls in line with the analyst claims above.

Following that, GforGames reported that Quanta, the company widely believed to be the manufacturer of the unannounced second generation smartwatch, is set to enter trial production at some point in January. If all goes well with the trial production, it gives both Apple and Quanta enough time to prepare the gadget for its unveiling, which GforGames reports will be “sometime in April”.

Although it seemed almost certain that the second-generation Apple Watch was to be announced alongside the iPhone 6c/iPhone 5se in March, we may have a bit longer to wait. Six months longer, apparently. According to reports, the event in March will instead focus on new bands for the Apple Watch (possibly new colours/materials, but may also include Hermes-esque bands), along with yet-unannounced OS tweaks coming in the watchOS 2.2 update. It's also said that Apple is looking at a September 2016 release for the second generation Apple Watch, although this has yet to be confirmed. 

According to the latest reports, the Apple Watch 2 may not be revealed at the event Apple is said to be hosting in March. Instead, the event will focus on the launch of the iPhone 6c and possibly the iPad Air 3. However that doesn't mean that the Apple Watch won't get a mention - in leue of launching the second generation Apple Watch, Apple is said to be preparing a host of new straps for its smartwatch. A source has spoken to 9to5Mac claiming that the update will include a handful of new colours for the Sports Bands (although it isn't specified which colours) along with additional colours of Apple's latest collection, the Hemes bands, but again, with no mention of colours.

The source did mention that a black version of the Milanese Loop will make an appearance at the event, which is a personal favourite of ours (we've got a third-party black band similar to the Milanese Loop) and should bring a bit of class to the Apple Watch Sport. However, possibly most exciting of all, the source claimed that Apple is planning to launch an additional band line, made out of a completely new material. Could it be the smart bands we discuss below? It seems we may not have too long to find out!

Apple is said to be exploring more variations of the Apple Watch, beyond the Sports, Steel and Edition tiers available with the first-gen Apple Watch. It's said that the company is planning to introduce new models that should sit between the most expensive steel Apple Watch (£949) and the cheapest Apple Watch Edition (£8,000).

It's looking to attract customers willing to pay between £1,000 and £8,000 for an Apple Watch, however it's unsure as to how the new tiers will differ from current models. It's been suggested that the new tier could feature more advanced bands or new materials including tungsten, palladium, titanium or even platinum.

Along with updating the body of the Apple Watch in its second-generation device, it looks like Apple may be introducing a new multi-function band alongside it. As first spotted by AppleInsider, Apple recently filed an interesting patent by the name of “Magnetic Wristband”, and details a magnetic wristband for the Apple Watch that offers additional functionality.

According to the patent, the magnetic wristband will, obviously, feature a set of magnets embedded into it, allowing the two sides to join together. For consumers, this means that when worn, the magnets would hold the Apple Watch in place (much like Apple’s Milanese Loop) – but it’s when the watch is taken off that the new band comes into its own.

The strap could be wrapped around the watch, which would suspend the screen in the middle of the straps, ideal for protection when being stored or transported. As well as offering additional protection, the strap could also double up as a stand (ideal for Apple’s nightstand mode) as its been designed to roll up behind the Watch, propping it up.

According to sources, Apple is planning to add a FaceTime video camera to the second-generation Apple Watch, which will enable users to make and receive FaceTime calls via their wrists. The new FaceTime camera is said to be integrated into the top bezel of the Apple Watch 2, though we're not too sure how many people would actively FaceTime via a Watch.

Apple is already working on using the Apple Watch for FaceTime, as the recently released watchOS 2 brings support for FaceTime audio calls. Does that indicate that it'll soon move onto video calls?

9To5Mac does note, though, that Apple trials many prototypes of its products before settling on the final one, so the FaceTime camera might not make it into the final model that makes its way into stores.

Most recently, in January 2016, reports have surfaced claiming that the upcoming Apple Watch 2 may feature the much-rumoured front-facing FaceTime camera, but not much else. As first noted by Tech Crunch, citing several sources, it appears that the Apple Watch 2 may not be a complete redesign with major changes to its design and features, and may be more of an ‘S’ update similar to the iPhone refresh cycle. It’s also claimed that Apple is still unsure of the Apple Watch refresh cycle, as its more of a companion for your smartphone rather than a standalone device (for now, anyway).

According to a rumour picked up by gforgames, Apple is working with LG and Samsung to produce thinner OLED displays for the second generation Apple Watch to accommodate a larger battery. The larger battery should provide the Apple Watch 2 with a longer battery life, though the report doesn’t specify just how long it might last. The report also claims that the Apple Watch 2 will bring no real changes to the screen size, resolution or overall design of the watch, with Apple not jumping onto the round smartwatch display bandwagon any time soon.