There may come a day when your Apple Watch doesn't need to be tethered to your iPhone to work, but that day won't be soon. According to a new report from Bloomberg, Apple's plans to put cellular modems in the next version of the Apple Watch have been put on hold because of concerns about battery life. While Apple is still reportedly "studying lower-power cellular data chips" for inclusion in future generations, the next watch will still rely on your iPhone for its data connection.
That said, the report indicates that Apple does plan to ship GPS functionality in the new Apple Watch. This will be of particular interest to people who use the watch for outdoor exercise like running and biking. Today's Apple Watch relies on your iPhone for GPS, and, when untethered from your phone, it can only provide you with rough estimates about distance and pace.
The next Apple Watch is expected at some point in the fall, possibly at the traditional September iPhone event that is rumored to be happening on September 7. WatchOS 3, a major revamp of the wearable operating system, will also be released this fall as an update for existing Apple Watch owners.
