Apple Watch Received Estimated 1 Million Pre-Orders in U.S. on April 10

[jimthing]

actually, there's nothing true about what you've said. you've made something up and are passing it off as fact, when in real life it's just something you came up with in your head.

Not true.

Countless podcasts discussing the AW over recent weeks, and countless colleagues and associates I've spoken to, have said they are buying to try for a couple if weeks, but are highly unlikely to keep as they don't like wearing watches full stop and/or don't want to spend money on such a gadget and/or other lifestyle considerations.

Hence the RETURN rate is much more important statistically, compared to the hype of sales, especially in so called "new categories" of mass consumable products. Economics 101.

 

[Carlanga]

I will wait for better estimates to be honest.

If they did sell a million then they found their new gross profit margin item.

 

[Keirasplace]

iPhone continues to grow because it's subsidized by the carriers. If people had to spend $800+ on a new iPhone they wouldn't be buying a new one every 2 years. People are still using the iPad 2 and they haven't really been given a reason to upgrade. If the watch gives people a reason to get a new one, it'll follow the path of the iPhone. After buying the 42mm Stainless Steel with link band, incremental improvements (thinner, lighter, better screen) aren't going to get me to buy a new one.

Only in weird world would people call a high interest loan a subsidy (that's not even the dictionary definition of subsidy btw). T-Mobile has now clearly indicated it as a loan, and I'm sure others will soon do it too. People know they're paying their phone on credit; but do they love charging it instead of paying it cash...

 

[wesk702]

It went available for pre order this past Friday. Its the weekend, buddy. I'm sure they will announce something during the week, this week or next.

I believe the announcement is tomorrow.

 

[Solarioc]

It may just be me, but a lot of doubters claim that early adopters purchased the watch simply because it has the Apple logo. I've tried them on twice watched all the reviews and I haven't seen the Apple logo...

 

[MikePLP]

I believe the announcement is tomorrow.

They don't announce pre-order numbers, only the first weekend sales. So, we MAY hear it on 4/27, which btw, happens to be the earnings report day. Hmm....coincidence?

 

[Theophil1971]

1) nobody is going to research your posts.

2) 450 for a high quality linked bracelet is not unusual, and by all measures it's a very high quality band. that it doesn't require a trip to the jeweler to remove links is particularly innovative.

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if that's what you thought, you're thinking wrong. a million preorders at launch is an amazing number. twice the iPad's.

try harder.

Indeed. And, why are we comparing Watch sales to any other Apple product? Can't we just be content to say that it has FAR outsold any other company's smart watch, including their total sales, and done it in a single day?

 

[firewood]

That's it?

Apple magic wearing off

Please name any professional magician with a net earnings of over half a billion.

 

[rmatthewware]

I wonder how this research firm extrapolated their data. They said they got their numbers from people who allowed them to automatically monitor e-receipts in their inbox. Are there really that many people who allow others to monitor their inbox, especially with all the privacy concerns lately?

The article also said Edition sales weren't counted, as the number was too small. Well, yeah, maybe. Or maybe people who spend $17k+ on a watch are smart enough not to allow a sales tracking firm access to their inbox.

 

[firewood]

No official Apple statement?

What are they waiting for.

The accountants, to check for compliance with Sarbannes-Oxberry (et.al.) reporting requirements.

 

[69Mustang]

I think its safe to assume that the vast majority of readers will understand that unofficial numbers are unofficial, and the word "estimated" means estimated.

Chris my friend, you over estimate that the estimates will be estimated to be based on a sample group instead of actual data. For some, the info could have come from the clerk at a 7-11 and it would be, not only received as fact, but expanded upon with abandon. Yay. We sold a million. We

Don't forget, this is just the United States. Considering China was part of the initial launch it could easily be 2-4 million sold.

To put it in perspective the number 1 Smartwatch manufacturer is Samsung with 1.2million sales in 2014. Second place is Pebble with 700 000 units...

Reality check: Apple sold in one day almost as many watches as Samsung sold in all of 2014, or, as many watches as Pebble(2nd place) sold in all of 2013 and 2014 combined. If that is not success, please tell me what is.

It's more impressive when you consider that 1M is ONLY for Friday AND United States. Let's say US made up 50% of the orders(conservative). That's 2M total for the 8 countries. iPhone launched in lot more countries. Let's also assume Friday was 80% of the weekend total(again, pretty conservative). That means 2.5M total for the launch weekend. Not bad for just 8 countries. For reference, iPhone 4 sold 1.7M in the launch weekend.

Also, one of the more bullish Apple analysts, Gene Munster, predicted only 300k in the first 24 hours.

2 MILLION SMARTWATCHES WERE SOLD LAST YEAR, AND GALAXY GEAR IS LEADING


http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/galaxy-gear-top-selling-smartwatch/

~800,000 Galaxy Gear smart watches sold.

I guess Apple just doubled the market segment overnight.

APPLE IS DOOMED!!!! /s

 

[AppleScruff1]

Only in weird world would people call a high interest loan a subsidy (that's not even the dictionary definition of subsidy btw). T-Mobile has now clearly indicated it as a loan, and I'm sure others will soon do it too. People know they're paying their phone on credit; but do they love charging it instead of paying it cash...

That's exactly what it's called when you buy a phone for a reduced price in exchange for agreeing to a set time of service.

And here's a dictionary definition.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsidize

 

[greytmom]

I fail to see how this is meaningful data. Only Apple has meaningful sales data. Anything else is just BS.

Thank you. I was wondering if anyone noticed that these numbers are just a wild guess.

 

[fallenjt]

But but what's wrong with this picture?

 

[Appl3FTW]

1 million ONLY IN THE U.S. On day one. Gotta remember there's 9 countries released on Day1. The watch is a hit!

 

[filmantopia]

classic moving the goalposts. previously the anti-Apple narrative was "it's a dopey product and will flop!" now it's "sales may not be as good as the iPhone!" which is absurd because the iPhone is the single best selling device in the history of the human race. and this is an accessory for it. so of course it's not going to rival that.

First is predicting a flop. Then early success is always attributed to the fanbois, continued success is attributed to the stupidity of consumers. Then they buy one for themselves to find out what all the fuss is about, but complain about minor details somewhere on a forum. Finally they use the previously scorned product as an example of how Apple used to be innovative but has now lost its edge.

And the Apple hater cycle continues on.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

It's an Apple product so a great opening weekend is expected. What remains to be seen is long term sales. Is this an iPhone which continues to gain in sales each revision or is this an iPad which already peaked and is in decline at this point?

I'm not trying to be negative, but it's hard to say if a product is a long term success by the opening weekend.

As with my iPad I cannot see myself upgrading very often

 

[hauntvictim]

I'd think how many RETURNS is the more poignant statistic. ;-|

Many have bought one just to try it out like a new toy, but who already know it's a gimmicky device for their lifestyle, so plan on returning it a week or two after getting it. Pity, but true nonetheless.

We'll see...

I was wondering the same thing as well. It's common though I'm not sure how common.

 

[shyam09]

But but what's wrong with this picture?

Apple has decided that if it can fool 1 million people, it can fool all the rich people into coughing up $7k for no other reason than a watch band.

 

[AdonisSMU]

First is predicting a flop. Then early success is always attributed to the fanbois, continued success is attributed to the stupidity of consumers. Then they buy one for themselves to find out what all the fuss is about, but complain about minor details somewhere on a forum. Finally they use the previously scorned product as an example of how Apple used to be innovative but has not lost its edge.

And the Apple hater cycle continues on.

LMAO! This is very accurate as to what has been happening as of late. Samsung started copying the AppleWatch on the rumor of a possible AppleWatch some years back. So you forgot the part about how Samsung was responsible for widespread adoption or how their watch is better because Apple doesn't allow physical storage or a user replaceable battery....despite the slower performance and it being full of viruses and malware.

 

[nfl46]

I'm guessing close to 3 million sold worldwide over the weekend. If so, WOW. That's pretty damn good for a new product category! Sales will pick up even more once we get them and show friends, family, co-workers, etc.

 

[MacVista]

I can envision this more like iPad sales...

Strong at first, gen 2 even stronger, and, by gen 5, it will decrease (from the previous year's numbers).

The mindset on watches of this price range is more of a keep for 5 years or more type of thing, not a "get every two years" like the phones are. Plus, the phones always have a feature that people are willing to drop their previous/current phones for.

You will start seeing the Apple WATCH grow in size up to the iPod Nano.
The WATCH is cool, but you really can live without it (unless you are a teen).

 

[AdonisSMU]

As with my iPad I cannot see myself upgrading very often

I think Apple could get away with keeping the iPad/Apple Watches around for a few cycles before releasing a new version. However they don't have to. It's up to the users to do the every few years cycle not Apple themselves.

 

[bevsb2]

But but what's wrong with this picture?

Good question. I guess it's the extra gold on the modern buckle.

 

[Gameboy70]

I am feeling really stupid now. I should have orders both the sizes. Unfortunate that no one from macrumours gave the idea of ordering two sizes earlier. I wanted to try them out before ordering. I believed what many were saying that there won't be so much demand. Now, I don't expect to get it until June.

If it makes you feel any better, I won't get my 42mm SS Black until June, and I ordered it eight minutes after the starting bell. Another poster who says he ordered the same model at 12:01 still got a mid-late May delivery window.

Having seen both watches IRL, the 42mm looks much smaller than in pictures, and will be the right choice for the average male.