HIGHLIGHTS
- The S3 chip powers the Apple Watch Series 3.
- Apple may introduce a new version of watchOS at the next WWDC.
- The Apple Watch Series 8 is expected to be released later this year.
The Apple Watch Series 3 is expected to be discontinued in the third quarter of 2022 because its processing power may not be sufficient to fulfil the needs of a new version of watchOS. The Apple Watch Series 3 debuted in September of 2017, making it nearly five years old. It is presently the oldest Apple Watch to support the most recent version of watchOS 8, which is watchOS 8. According to a recent source, Apple is expected to discontinue support for this wristwatch when it introduces watchOS 9 at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known Apple analyst, indicated in a tweet that the Apple Watch Series 3 may hit end-of-life in Q3 2022 due to its outdated hardware. This wristwatch is powered by an S3 chip, which trails much behind the S5 chip in the Apple Watch SE and the S7 chip in the Apple Watch Series 7. The Apple Watch Series 3 is distinguished by its bulky design, broad bezels, and sharp display corners.
Given the Apple Watch Series 3's restricted performance and the additional steps necessary to update the watchOS, it is expected that Apple will abandon this wristwatch when the new version of watchOS is released. When watchOS 9 is launched, the Apple Watch Series 4 will be the oldest Apple smartwatch to support it. The details of the future watchOS are unknown, although it is likely to accompany the release of the second generation Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 8. These smartwatches are expected to debut later this year, which corresponds to Kuo's timeframe.
