10% of Consumers 'Very Likely' to Buy a Smartwatch in 2015, Suggesting 24M Apple Watches

[Lepton]

I predict an enormous market in third party watchbands, like the phone case market. The only reason you don't see rumors about this now is no one has a unit yet to be able to make a compatible band.

So one might consider getting the cheapest watchband, in anticipation of getting nicer, more unique, or cheaper replacement bands later.

 

[frankandmary]

apple watch purchase

Too bad Canada was not surveyed.

We, my wife and I, intended to each purchase an Apple Watch.
Regards

 

[teslo]

i buy a lot of 1st gen apple stuff. ipad, iphone, tv, and the like.

I am not getting this. I just don't see the application for it. Hopefully i'm wrong.

If i ever wear a watch, it is during functions and i feel sporting a classy watch (retro now? lol) is the way to go. The apple watch, IMO, is really ugly.

i used to think like this until i really thought about what a smart-home would be like. sure, pulling a phone you have to unlock and open does the trick (assuming there's no toddler or grocery bag in your other arm), but the convenience of a watch for all the (inevitable) 'things' in your house..? makes more than good sense to me.

and yeah, i think it's pretty aesthetically 'off' imo too. waiting to see how it evolves.

 

[TallManNY]

So in other words even with all the hype and wall to wall press, only 27% are somewhat or very likely to buy one, and 73% are still not interested. Shave the interested percentage significantly when the unit arrives with half of the rumored functions (as history with other Apple products getting enhanced in the rumor mill would suggest) and you have what I suspected: a niche product that only sells in small quantities.

Yep, look who was interested in the iPod or the iPhone and were going to buy those. Folks often predict their interest in new technology devices accurately.

I have no idea if the smartwatch is going to sell, but if it sells in its first year in the 10s of millions that will be a stunning success.

 

[Zxxv]

Wrong. I always buy first generation Apple products—when I see their value and usefulness—and I've been doing it for three decades.

The Watch will be no exception. I want the SS model with SS link or mesh band.

Theres a German version? Mein Fhurer will be most pleased.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

I think this will be the most disappointing product launch for Apple in decades. I don't think the watch will sell in any serious volumes.

You couldn't pay me to wear one in place of one of my other watches. I don't like the entire concept.

Worse than the Pippin?

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-10-most-rotten-apple-products-2014-7?op=1

 

[KdParker]

I might just have to wait and see for myself. But I will be interested in the type of apps that can be created for use with the iWatch

 

[businezguy]

Why, can't people use their phone for that? Or will they get that lazy?

He doesn't mean he's going to use an app to find love. He's going to buy a watch for his wife/girlfriend, and expects to get laid. Seems like a good plan to me.

 

[LordQ]

"People wont buy an iPad, it's just a bigger iPod Touch with half of netbook's features at twice the price!".

Guess I'm with that 10%.

 

[bbeagle]

I'd rather have 70% of 10% of 2 billion people (or 140 million units, using the China numbers as well) than 100% of zero people.

So would anyone. What do you actually mean?

This survey was done in the general population, so this is 27% of 8 billion people (the WORLD) = about 2 billion people.

What you said doesn't make sense.

 

[nouveau-apple]

way too expensive

 

[bushido]

I wouldnt wear one either but i hate stuff on my wrist in general. One time i went to a all inclusive hotel and had to wear a plastic band for a week it drove me insane

 

[amirite]

Yahoo News: Survey Says 6 Percent Will Buy Apple's iPhone

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

So would anyone. What do you actually mean?

This survey was done in the general population, so this is 27% of 8 billion people (the WORLD) = about 2 billion people.

What you said doesn't make sense.

I just used the values shown and estimated that it was a survey of a population of 2 billion people, not the entire world:

China: 1.4B *edited
US: 0.3B
Europe (IT/UK): 0.3B *edit

I did not extrapolate that to the whole world, as India (1B), Japan, Africa, South America, and Aus were left off. (edit added)

 

[flottenheimer]

Oh.
The stupidity of forecasting.

 

[jayducharme]

a niche product that only sells in small quantities.

Yes -- but a niche product with high profit margins. I'll bet that Apple will make more off of fewer watches than any other competing company.

 

[amirite]

Yes -- but a niche product with high profit margins. I'll bet that Apple will make more off of fewer watches than any other competing company.

I imagine they'll make the most money from the edition line. At least with the first generation. There are many more people willing to casually spend several thousand dollars on a watch than most of you think. Hell, a lot of them might buy more than one.

 

[Rogifan]

Glad no one here is planning to buy one. Will make more room in the stores for those of us who are interested.

 

[nazaar]

I'm one of the 10%... guess I like throwing $ at Apple.

$4000 so far this year

 

[CmdrLaForge]

I am still interested myself but on the fence if I jump right in with the first rev. $350 doesn't break the bank but it is still quite some money.

 

[AirThis]

The problem with the Apple watch is that it's redundant, rather expensive, and has extremely poor battery life. Furthermore, it's thick, and a 1st gen product. So, essentially, it's not very attractive to me. In contrast, when I saw a demo of the first iPhone, I was thinking "wow, this is the device I've wanted all my life. I want one... Now!". The Apple watch is just meh in my book... I'm not sure if 10% of buyers will adopt Apple's vision of the smart watch. Other companies might nail this market segment before Apple. Time will tell...

 

[filmantopia]

Looks like about 9/10's of the people here are part of that 90%... Not good for the Apple Watch.

I kid, I kid.

Actually I'm sure as heck getting one and think interest in smartwatches will uptick after the first round of buyers get to show off their watches to friends and family. I say at least 30m first year.

 

[darkslide29]

So many people claiming to be part of that 90%..
Well, I am part of that 10%

 

[BvizioN]

First rule of Apple products: never buy the first generation of any new product. Let someone else be the guinea pig and sort out the inevitable quality problems and issues. Buy the next model a year later

I know some people believe that crap. Both original iPhone and original iPad were great at the time. If you keep waiting, you may as well just keep waiting your entire life since there is always something new and better one on the horizont.

The rule is to enjoy the present and not just wait for the future

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

The problem with the Apple watch is that it's redundant, rather expensive, and has extremely poor battery life. Furthermore, it's thick, and a 1st gen product. So, essentially, it's not very attractive to me. In contrast, when I saw a demo of the first iPhone, I was thinking "wow, this is the device I've wanted all my life. I want one... Now!". The Apple watch is just meh in my book... I'm not sure if 10% of buyers will adopt Apple's vision of the smart watch. Other companies might nail this market segment before Apple. Time will tell...

Well... 10% are very likely, and a good 50% are in the unlikely camp. I'm not sure if I'm a fanboy, but I think this is a good first attempt at the smartwatch. I've looked at others, and this one looks pretty good to me.

I went from "meh" to "pretty interested" to "looking forward to it".