Apple Watch 2 release date, features, apps and specs

Apple Watch specs and features

Apple Watch 2 iPhone support

In the same way that the original Apple Watch was not self-sufficient, requiring an iPhone 5c, 5s, 6, 6 Plus, 6s, or 6s Plus running iOS 8.2 or later in order to work, the Apple Watch 2 will almost certainly depend the owner's iPhone too - probably the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7 and either the iPhone 5s and 5c again, or the rumoured iPhone 5se.

The reason Apple Watches are dependent on the smartphone is because much of the "heavy lifting" is done by the phone, which then pushes information to the device.

It is extremely unlikely the Apple Watch 2 will be completely self-sufficient, unless Apple has managed to achieve a major technological breakthrough and then keep it quiet. However, it has been rumoured that the second version of Apple Watch will be able to do a bit more by itself than the original, although how much remains to be seen.

Since the release of iOS 8.2, all iPhones have been primed and ready to pair with an Apple Watch through a pre-installed app. So, if you have a compatible phone and buy an Apple Watch, there is minimal set-up to get it up and running.

Jane McCallion
Deputy Editor

Jane McCallion is ITPro's deputy editor, specializing in cloud computing, cyber security, data centers and enterprise IT infrastructure. Before becoming Deputy Editor, she held the role of Features Editor, managing a pool of freelance and internal writers, while continuing to specialise in enterprise IT infrastructure, and business strategy.

Prior to joining ITPro, Jane was a freelance business journalist writing as both Jane McCallion and Jane Bordenave for titles such as European CEO, World Finance, and Business Excellence Magazine.