The Apple Watch 2 is rumored to have a thinner body and a boosted performance. Rumors also suggest that the device will be entirely independent from the iPhone and will be released on mid- to late 2016.

With the Apple Watch's recent launch, speculations have come up about what the next-generation Apple Watch will be like. According to a report by Alphr, the second-gen Apple Watch will be thinner and faster than its predecessor. It will also likely be a standalone watch that does not ultimately rely on an iPhone to function properly.

The report said that the Apple Watch 2 will sport the same design as the original Apple Watch, but a bit thinner. Rumors suggest that the Apple Watch 2 will be designed to suit more outdoor activities with an increased IPX7 waterproof capability. The existing Apple watch can only be immersed in water that is less than one meter deep for a short period of time.

Another rumor says that the Apple Watch 2 will be able to function independently even without an iPhone. One of the most common complaints about the Apple Watch is its inability to do tasks by itself. The current Apple Watch has to connect with an iPhone to perform essential activities like sending messages, weather updating, and Apple Pay. The Apple Watch 2 is expected to autonomously perform these operations through Wi-Fi.

International Business Times reported that aside from a functionality boost, the Apple Watch 2 will supposedly have a longer battery life as well. Apple usually sacrifices battery power to create thinner devices, but this might change with the Apple Watch 2. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said in the WSJD Live Global Technology Conference that the current Apple Watch needs to be charged daily.

As per a report by Apple Insider, the Apple Watch 2 will likely launch in mid- to late 2016. Apple might throw in mid-range variations of the watch to cover different market segments.

A Cowen and Company memo predicted 18 million sales of Apple Watches by the end of 2015 and about 45 million in 2016. However, Mizuho analysts believe that customers will only start buying Apple's wearables once the Apple Watch 2 is released.