Apple Reportedly Weighing $400 Price Range for Upcoming Wearable Device

[Chupa Chupa]

I guess we'll have to see what this device is (& actual price) before passing judgment.

Here my thoughts:

$400 isn't a lot for a jewelry type watch
But it is the high end for a GPS running watch like the Garmin FR620.
I think Apple can make a better looking and functioning watch than Garmin, the current leader in such watches, so the $400 could be justified.

I say "could" b/c the use of word "accessory" is unknown. Part of the Garmin's usefulness relies on uploading data to an iOS app or computer to Garmin's network. It still functions w/o the app or uploading data after setup but it's not as useful. I would consider the watch to be an accessory because of that. Is this what Apple is hinting at? Or will the "I watch" absolutely useless w/o your iPhone by your side? $400 for the latter is too expensive.

Then there is longevity. I realize Apple will push out new models every year, but they can't be obsoleted as quickly as iPhones or iPads. I should be able to get 4-5 solid years out of it.

Those are things I'll be looking for at introduction. I have no problem paying $400 if it does everything we've heard it does, doesn't look nerdy, and is made more useful w/ an iPhone but still has some functionality w/o it by your side.

 

[osofast240sx]

For 400$, it better be loaded with gear monitoring me from top to bottom; for that price it better tell me even when my toenails need clipping!

If you think $400 is too expensive for that type of technology? Then you have zero respect for tech in general.

 

[apolloa]

I agree with your premise except that typical entry level luxury watches will cost a lot more than $400 just for the case.
A typical stainless steel case + strap/bracelet from Rolex or Panerai probably cost more than $2000 to replace.
Cases minus dial and movement from mid-market brands like Tag probably cost around $500.

So the quality of finish for this Apple watch is most likely going to be comparable to a Tissot or a Victorinox Swiss Army watch than a luxury watch.

Some of their high end models are luxury, but otherwise I would consider Tissot as premium.
But as for the case on my Tissot, it certainly is a very solid chunk of stainless steel, the strap is one of those rubber ones and they cost $60 or so, again what I would call premium I guess.
And that fits in with Apple surely? Premium as opposed to luxury as a brand and it's general target market.

 

[Kenn Marks]

No watch since iPhone

If true, this is a no buy for me.

So unless this thing sings and dances I'm not spending anything near $400. All my last watches were multifunction beyond time and date and cost less that $30 and typically lasted 18-24 months well before the battery died. As an ex watch chip designer the case better be out of pure gold or platinum to be worth $40@

 

[rmatthewware]

It cost $$$$ to put the same tech in a smaller package @ $1000 an iWatch would be justified.

But it's not the same tech. It would have a smaller screen, smaller battery. It wouldn't need the processing power of the full phone, or the RAM. It certainly wouldn't need the flash storage of an iPhone. Hopefully it doesn't have a camera, like that dumb Android watch did. If it's a companion device, it doesn't need proximity sensors, GPS, or a cell connection. If it connects to your phone via low-power bluetooth, it doesn't even need wifi. And I imagine motion processing is being handled by the M7 in your phone. With all that cut out, the only justification of $1000 is if you're buying a luxury model.

 

[ChrisA]

What if they were FREE? Would you USE it?

What if these were free? Literally. What if you could fill in some web form and get one free.

Of course you would GET one but would you actually USE it? Do you really want a hunk of plastic and glass strapped to your wrist? Even if it were free it would have to enable me to do lots of stuff I can't do without it.

No way would I pay even $100 for an IOS device with a 1 inch screen. It would have to do something that today can't be done at all.

 

[SHNXX]

Some of their high end models are luxury, but otherwise I would consider Tissot as premium.
But as for the case on my Tissot, it certainly is a very solid chunk of stainless steel, the strap is one of those rubber ones and they cost $60 or so, again what I would call premium I guess.
And that fits in with Apple surely? Premium as opposed to luxury as a brand and it's general target market.

Totally agree.
I think 60 dollar case would fit with what apple is trying to achieve.
Upscale but not luxury.

 

[Chocomonsters]

As long as it is NOT one iWatch for all.

Non-smart watches can be had for anywhere from $1 to over $100,000. Apple should make few different levels of watches based on material and finishes.

Would I pay $400 for one size fits all smart watch everyone will be wearing? No.

Would I pay more for a quality watch that can be served as accessory? Yes.

Unlike phones and tablets, watches serve more as fashion accessory. It's easier to start as luxury watch maker and introduce more affordable watch for mass later than try to move up from commodity mass market to luxury market later.

 

[cmanbrazil]

If it really is "revolutionary" in the way it monitors and records important health information than $400 would get push back from those arguing its use could save lives of people if only they could afford it. I know its farfetched but my brain is close to shutting down for the night.

 

[Col4bin]

$400 is a pretty cheap for a watch if you think about it. I could care less about a smart watch though. I'd rather spend my money on a quality designer watch and not come cheap and tacky smart watch.

Easy there Mr. Moneybags. Either that or you're still in Jr. High and live with mommy and daddy.

 

[subjonas]

Let's remember this is a fashion accessory. People pay over $400 for watches all the time. I just hope they're reserving that price for one of their high end models which I'm assuming will have fancy styling. If they have a simplistic low end model closer to $100, I would probably buy that. I would only consider paying more if they add some very useful functionality that I haven't heard of yet.

I think if Apple wants teenagers to have their watches too, they're going to have to have a low end model not too much more than $100.

 

[BullovaAuto]

$400 is pretty average for a decent watch, especially one with advanced technologies and one that will likely double as a regular fashion watch when not being used as a tech accessory. My current watch was around $385 and it's nothing spectacular but it's a good looking stainless steel watch with automatic charging based on movement. I'm sure Apple will employ similar mechanisms in their watch.

 

[iSayuSay]

That's too expensive, there is no way.

Yeah well it's Apple so that's a way

 

[Col4bin]

Hilarious that people say "not worth it" when we don't know A) what components it will have, B) what it will look like, and C) what it's functionality will be. I get that some people will not pay $400 for a watch no matter what, but c'mon people, how can you say what it should be priced at when you know basically nothing about it?

for the record, I like the fact that we don't know much about it. It'll be one of the bigger unveilings in recent apple history.

Components? Probably still less than 1 GB or RAM. What an accessory it'll be...

 

[newdeal]

to all you cheapskates out there you will pay $800 for a new iPhone every year but won't pay $400 for a watch. Keep in mind that people pay thousands of dollars for watches that only tell the time. There will be a big market for this however if only the rich buy it that would actually really strengthen Apples brand compared to if everyone could afford it.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

As long as it is NOT one iWatch for all.

Non-smart watches can be had for anywhere from $1 to over $100,000. Apple should make few different levels of watches based on material and finishes.

Would I pay $400 for one size fits all smart watch everyone will be wearing? No.

Would I pay more for a quality watch that can be served as accessory? Yes.

Unlike phones and tablets, watches serve more as fashion accessory. It's easier to start as luxury watch maker and introduce more affordable watch for mass later than try to move up from commodity mass market to luxury market later.

It's not cost effective to offer BTO options and a variety of watch faces for the consumer. They aren't in the business of being a luxury watch provider. They are in the business of extending their embedded iOS platform to other devices that complement and extend the digital life.

 

[Sonmi451]

Components? Probably still less than 1 GB or RAM. What an accessory it'll be...

haters gonna hate son

----------

to all you cheapskates out there you will pay $800 for a new iPhone every year but won't pay $400 for a watch. Keep in mind that people pay thousands of dollars for watches that only tell the time. There will be a big market for this however if only the rich buy it that would actually really strengthen Apples brand compared to if everyone could afford it.

I'm not sure I'd call everyone cheapskates, but I agree with your sentiment.

 

[topmounter]

Google Glasses: $1500...

Apple's iWatch: $400...

Becoming the High-Dork of Tech Fashion: Priceless.

 

[Col4bin]

The Verge just reported that there will be multiple smart watches from Apple and that $400 will be at the high end of their various wearable devices.

The only way Apple is getting those prices is if they partner with fashion brands for the design/build. Like Burberry, Tag Heuer, Omega, Movado, or heck, even Diesel. Otherwise there's no way I'm spending $400 on a smart watch that is only used for NFC or to just help track my health. If true, what a weak-ass product. Epic fail in the making.

 

[beetlejuice44]

to all you cheapskates out there you will pay $800 for a new iPhone every year but won't pay $400 for a watch. Keep in mind that people pay thousands of dollars for watches that only tell the time. There will be a big market for this however if only the rich buy it that would actually really strengthen Apples brand compared to if everyone could afford it.

Apple isn't in the Watch making business. Believe me, the rich will keep buying their fancy Rolodex's without being in the 95 percentile who own iWatch's. Kids will buy the bulk of iWatch's because it's one of those totally unnecessary things to have!
And what's all the hoopla about this new heart rate APP? America is the most obese nation under the sun! So, all of a sudden we're going to start monitoring our rate rates?

 

[PFKMan23]

If that's true, I'm gonig to pass, I think. But who knows?

 

[SHNXX]

As long as it is NOT one iWatch for all.



Non-smart watches can be had for anywhere from $1 to over $100,000. Apple should make few different levels of watches based on material and finishes.



Would I pay $400 for one size fits all smart watch everyone will be wearing? No.



Would I pay more for a quality watch that can be served as accessory? Yes.



Unlike phones and tablets, watches serve more as fashion accessory. It's easier to start as luxury watch maker and introduce more affordable watch for mass later than try to move up from commodity mass market to luxury market later.

Personally I wouldn't want to wear any watch from apple for more than gym and around the house.

A wrist band from apple I wouldn't mind wearing but a watch, I will stick with my Patek and rolexes.

 

[saberahul]

If it fits my needs and works as promised, I'll buy it for that price point… but it is higher than I expected. Rumors… let's hope this one is wrong.

 

[msavwah]

iWear
Sunglasses with speakers, sensors, HUD for iOS devices. No camera.
Frame of choice.

 

[SHNXX]

Apple isn't in the Watch making business. Believe me, the rich will keep buying their fancy Rolodex's without being in the 95 percentile who own iWatch's. Kids will buy the bulk of iWatch's because it's one of those totally unnecessary things to have!

And what's all the hoopla about this new heart rate APP? America is the most obese nation under the sun! So, all of a sudden we're going to start monitoring our rate rates?

Agreed.
I hope that apple watch will be more of a band than a watch though so that it can also appeal to rolex owners etc.