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Apple Watch lifespan.

Armen

Armen

macrumors 604
Original poster
Apr 30, 2013
7,408
2,274
Los Angeles
People expect a new Desktop/Laptop computer to last them 5-8 years before they need to upgrade (assuming hardware doesn't fail).

The expectation from a Tablet is 3-5 years or longer depending what you use it for. (I still have an iPad 2)

Most consumers (at least in the US) get a new smartphone every 2 years as their contracts expire.

Is anyone else curious what direction Apple will take with the Apple Watch? Are they expecting consumers to spend $400+ every year or 2 years for the "new" Apple watch or will they hold back "new" features and make the upgrade cycle longer.

I can understand buying an Omega watch for $3250.00 and handing it down to your children in 30 years but is the Gold edition Apple watch just going to be a $5000.00 paper weight in a few years?

If Apple is going to push an aggressive upgrade cycle for the Apple watch I'll be buying nothing but the sport edition every 2-3 years.

thoughts?
 
Apple expects people to replace their computers every 5-8 years, but they still update them about once a year, year and a half.

So it doesn't matter how often people replace their smartwatches, I expect Apple to update them every year.
 
cmChimera said:
Really?
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My current PC is the first in a line of 7 or so computers that is lasting a LONG time. Acer Predator, got it for $999 and here, 6 years later its running great. I did have to replace a hard drive a few years back, but other than that it does everything I need quickly. Prior to that it was every 2 or 3 years.
 
Armen said:
People expect a new Desktop/Laptop computer to last them 5-8 years before they need to upgrade

The expectation from a Tablet is 3-5 years or longer

Most consumers (at least in the US) get a new smartphone every 2 years
Click to expand...

From where did you get all these figures?
 
cmChimera said:
Really?
Click to expand...

The people (in my opinion) who upgrade their PC's most often are gamers. I used to spend $600 every 6 months back in the day just to be able to play the latest games.

Here at work I'm using a HP laptop with a Centrino 2 processor and 4GB of RAM to do my job.
 
If the battery life is near the estimates, 2 years seems like about the time the battery would have little chance of making it through the day. 3 years max. So, at minimum, you would have to have a battery replacement done in that timeframe.
 
The Doctor11 said:
I think it will probably be updated yearly along side the iPhone's, but most people will upgrade every other year.
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Man, forking out $500.00 every other year is a lot of money if you have your heart set on the Stainless Steel version assuming Apple doesn't change the watch's formfactor and make all the bands you bought useless.
 
Night Spring said:
Apple expects people to replace their computers every 5-8 years, but they still update them about once a year, year and a half.

So it doesn't matter how often people replace their smartwatches, I expect Apple to update them every year.
Click to expand...

Hmm...I'm not convinced we're going to get a completely new watch every year. I'd be more inclined to think it will be updated when new tech/sensors are ready and accurate enough to be added. Will that be every year? I have my doubts. But I won't be surprised if we get new bands on a yearly basis. Either adding to the current collection or replacing ones that aren't selling well.
 
Lol.

If I will honestly think, Apple will definitely priced it for only $999, I would not bother or create this hysterics & such even if it will end up inevitably within a few months as paperweight. :p
 
Rogifan said:
Hmm...I'm not convinced we're going to get a completely new watch every year. I'd be more inclined to think it will be updated when new tech/sensors are ready and accurate enough to be added. Will that be every year? I have my doubts. But I won't be surprised if we get new bands on a yearly basis. Either adding to the current collection or replacing ones that aren't selling well.
Click to expand...

Based on the information we saw in another post about the data port under the band I would definitely expect to see newer bands every year (maybe even smart bands with new sensors/functions).

I'd be totally ok with Apple Selling me an Apple watch and then leaving me options to get new bands or other accessories for it down the line rather than changing the watch so drastically with every reiteration that I'm forced to upgrade or miss out on important new features.

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JayLenochiniMac said:
For the Edition model with the predicted $1,200 worth of gold in the case alone? Don't think so.
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The Math I did in my head was to take the Stainless Steel version at $500.00 and bump it up to 2X that price because of the gold casing. I'm not sure where these $2k-$5k figures are coming from.
 
Most of us here are guessing the Edition, and maybe the SS model, will either be modular (same casing, new guts) or trade in service.
 
Armen said:
The Math I did in my head was to take the Stainless Steel version at $500.00 and bump it up to 2X that price because of the gold casing. I'm not sure where these $2k-$5k figures are coming from.
Click to expand...

Piggie can help you do better math
2v8obwi.jpg
 
Rogifan said:
Hmm...I'm not convinced we're going to get a completely new watch every year. I'd be more inclined to think it will be updated when new tech/sensors are ready and accurate enough to be added. Will that be every year? I have my doubts. But I won't be surprised if we get new bands on a yearly basis. Either adding to the current collection or replacing ones that aren't selling well.
Click to expand...

Sensors aren't the only things that can get upgraded. There's battery, wifi/bluetooth, nfc, maybe gps will be added at some point, onboard storage, accelerometer, gyroscope, maybe a barometer could be added -- there's plenty of tech in there that something or other can be updated each year.

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Mildredop said:
Could you post links? The figures seem quite inaccurate.
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The accuracy of those figures isn't realy relevant to this discussion. Just roll with the premise that not everyone is going to buy a new watch every year, so given that, how frequently will Apple update the watch?
 
Night Spring said:
Sensors aren't the only things that can get upgraded. There's battery, wifi/bluetooth, nfc, maybe gps will be added at some point, onboard storage, accelerometer, gyroscope, maybe a barometer could be added -- there's plenty of tech in there that something or other can be updated each year.
Click to expand...

Exactly, and don't forget about FaceTime as well. For some reason people think this won't happen or will be too awkward but I bet Apple will get the orientation correct so it won't be so un-ergonomic. :)
 
Armen said:
Just Google it. Some sites for example say laptops 2 years tops, others say it varies depending on use etc.
Click to expand...

Next time I tell someone something at work and they ask me how I know, I'll be sure to simply say "Just Google it", shrug my shoulders and walk away.
 
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