Apple Watch 2 release date, specs rumors: Next-gen smartwatch to launch in September; cellular connectivity not yet happening?

The next generation Apple Watch could launch soon, but it probably won't be equipped with the highly anticipated cellular connectivity just yet.

While there have been plenty of rumors about a possible cellular connectivity for the upcoming Apple Watch 2, the well-connected KGI securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believed that this feature may not be part of Apple's smartwatch upgrades until 2017. This could be a big blow to prospective Apple Watch consumers who have been hoping to use the Apple Watch 2 independent of their iPhone.

Another report sheds more light on the reason why a cellular connectivity may not yet be possible for the Apple Watch line. If Apple Watch 2 were to be equipped with cellular connectivity, this could potentially shorten the device's battery life since cellular chips consume significant amounts of power.

And while there have been reports about the Apple Watch 2 being equipped with a larger battery, along with more battery efficient processors and a battery-saving Micro-LED display, the additional power will probably just be used up by the new featured technologies like the GPS chip for the GPS-based location tracking and the GPS radio.

However, according to Bloomberg, Apple has already discussed their plans for a cellular smartwatch with premiere data and mobile phone operators in both the United States and Europe. If these plans push through in the upcoming years, future Apple wearables will finally be able to browse the internet, check emails, and access maps without having to connect to an iPhone.

Although a massive upgrade such as this may not be possible for the upcoming Apple Watch 2, the next generation smartwatch is expected to offer a handful of internal specs improvements to make it worth the wait. After the Cupertino tech giant unveiled its watchOS 3 software at the Worldwide Developer's Conference last June, Apple smartwatches can now be expected to offer faster performance, improved messaging features, and better health and fitness tracking apps.

Apple Watch 2 is also rumored to feature superior waterproofing technology and a barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure. This prompted speculations that the upcoming next generation smartwatch could be aiming for a more sports-oriented market.

If the Apple Watch 2 does get unveiled along with the iPhone 7 at Apple's keynote event on Sept. 7, it will be expected to hit the stores a week later, specifically on Sept. 16.

These are all just speculations, and Apple has yet to release an official statement regarding the existence and potential release of an Apple Watch 2.