The Apple Watch might not be going on sale until next year, but one retailer is already predicting the iPhone 6 companion will force rival manufacturers to revaluate their wearable efforts.
Having been announced as a digital crown-utilising smartwatch last week, the Apple Watch has already grabbed the attentions of many consumers.
Looking set to be something of a step up on the current wave of existing Android Wear devices, retailer John Lewis has suggested the likes of Samsung, LG and Motorola will be forced to respond.
“I think ultimately, yes [rival manufacturers will have to revaluate their smartwatch efforts to better compete with the Apple Watch],” Will Jones, Tablets and Computing Buyer at John Lewis said speaking with TrustedReviews.
He added: “I think everyone was waiting to see what Apple was going to do.
“Wearables was a category already, but Apple has raised the awareness of it. When Apple brings out its Watch in 2015, it is going to accelerate the category even further.”
Although the competition will be forced to revaluate their plans, Jones does not believe the premium price of the Apple Watch will cause rivals to reduce the pricing of their alternatives.
“If you look at the price points, generally a lot of the Android Wear devices – the Samsung Gear Live for example – are sub-£199,” he said.
“People will be revaluating functionality and the price points at which they are launching. My sense though is that where they are positioning these products at the moment is probably the right level.”
He added: “I still think there will be a successful wearable market outside of Apple.”
Are you planning on snapping up an Apple Watch or are you happy with the existing array of Android Wear devices? Let us know via the comments section below.
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