by Luke Johnson 22 December 2014 |
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With the Apple Watch release date set for ‘early 2015’, leading analysts have warned investors to expect only ‘modest’ interest in the device.
Although Apple is widely expected to ignite widespread consumer interest in the wearables space, analyst firm Piper Jaffray has suggested potential customers are currently adopting a “wait-and-see” mentality towards the Moto 360 and Samsung Gear S rival.
With finalised details on the device still few and far between, analyst Gene Munster has found just 7 per cent of existing iPhone owners currently plan to splash out on the Apple Watch.
Interestingly, according to Apple Insider, this figure is down on the number keen on snapping up the device immediately after the techy timepiece was formally unveiled back in September.
“We continue to believe the Watch can be an important product for Apple, but expect first year sales to be modest,” Munster warned in his note to investors.
Although suggesting the Apple Watch won’t become an instant hit, Piper Jaffray’s figures have predicted the device will still shift around 10 million units during its first calendar year on sale.
With the Apple Watch release date not expected to be held until the latter part of Q2, Munster has suggested that only 8 million devices will have been shifted by the end of 2015.
Related: LG G Watch R review
The Apple Watch was officially unveiled alongside the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus earlier this year.
Featuring a customised iOS operating system and the innovative new ‘Digital Crown’ input method, the Apple Watch will land in two sizes and three varieties – the standard Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and the luxuriously high-end Apple Watch Edition.
Pricing details for Apple’s first wearable are still unclear.