'Apple Watch 2' release date, specs rumors 2016: Major upgrades not expected; coming in September or October?

When the Apple Watch was first introduced in April 2015, the wearable device was quite the sensation.

However, consumer interest soon died down. And with the Apple Watch being hounded by battery life issues, the device is in bad need of a major refresh, one that would attract consumers and be worth the Watch's hefty price.

The tech giant appears to have at least given the device's software a second thought. Apple Watch's overhauled software, watchOS, which was unveiled at the company's WWDC 2016, is a vast improvement over the Watch's previous OS. Now Apple just needs to improve its Watch's hardware and perhaps consumers will want to buy the wearable again.

According to Mac Rumors, Apple fans shouldn't expect big changes in the new Apple Watch. The website suggests that instead of a design overhaul or a major hardware upgrade, the second-generation Apple Watch will receive minor spec improvements and tweaks to its form. These improvements could include giving the wearable better battery life, a more powerful processor, and cellular capabilities.

According to Apple Insider, all changes made to the next generation of the Apple Watch will be under the hood. The website also says that the Apple Watch 2 will be an Apple Watch S.

The Apple Watch S will reportedly have the same features and design as the Apple Watch, but will offer better performance and improved features.

Meanwhile, DigiTimes suggests that the new Apple Watch could be unveiled in September or October. The Taiwan-based website indicated the new Apple Watch's estimated release date in a report about how the "weak orders" for tablets and wearables are affecting Apple's component suppliers.

DigiTimes also notes that the smartwatch's short battery life and lack of apps are preventing the device from becoming a mainstream product. According to the report, the market for smartwatches is expected to remain small and will probably not boost profits for component suppliers as was originally expected.