“Apple Watch is a resounding success, and it’s time for Apple to make it official by providing quarterly sales data. The question of whether Apple should disclose Apple Watch sales has never had a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Instead, the positives and negatives found with disclosure have to be weighed against each other,” Neil Cybart writes for Above Avalon. “There is now more upside found in Apple disclosing quarterly Apple Watch sales than in keeping them private and just providing sales clues.”
“In late 2014, six months before Apple Watch went on sale, Apple announced that it would not be disclosing quarterly Apple Watch revenue and unit sales,” Cybart writes. ” The official reasoning according to Apple management was that given how Apple Watch was a new product with no revenue, it made sense to lump the product with other products. In addition, the lack of disclosure was said to make it difficult for competitors to assess Apple Watch demand and market trends. The much simpler explanation was that Apple just didn’t stand to benefit from disclosing Apple Watch sales out of the gate. ”
“In what came as a surprise, soon after Apple Watch launched, Apple management began to provide clues regarding Apple Watch sales. The sales clues have now become so helpful at reaching Apple Watch sales estimates, management appears to be systematically undermining its initial decision to withhold sales data,” Cybart writes. “Apple has sold 30M Apple Watches to date… Apple now stands to benefit more from disclosing Apple Watch sales than keeping them hidden. ”
Much more in the full article – recommended – here.
MacDailyNews Take: With Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) model alone handily outselling the distant #2 Samsung’s and #3 Huawei’s smartwatches combined (and that’s with AW demand outstripping supply, no less), there is no real competition, therefore withholding AW sales figures for “competitive reasons” is no longer logical.
If you do not yet have an Apple Watch, get one! You’re missing out.
SEE ALSO:
Canalys estimates Apple shipped 3.9 million Apple Watch units in Q317, despite strong demand outstripping supply – November 14, 2017
Two weeks with Apple Watch, leaving iPhone at home – November 10, 2017
When Apple Watch surpassed iPod – November 8, 2017
Ten days in with Apple Watch Series 3: I’m amazed by how quickly it integrated into daily life – October 19, 2017
Why Apple Watch Series 3 is a game changer – October 19, 2017
First week with Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular): Connectivity makes for a truly smart watch – October 9, 2017
Macworld reviews Apple Watch Series 3: The wearable leader runs out to an insurmountable lead – October 6, 2017
Ars Technica reviews Apple Watch Series 3: Despite some teething pains, it’s great to use – September 27, 2017
Some reviewers’ Apple Watch Series 3 ‘LTE issues’ due to easily-fixable Wi-Fi bug – September 20, 2017
Jim Dalrymple reviews Apple Watch Series 3: ‘Do yourself a favor and get one’ – September 20, 2017
Some reviewers’ Apple Watch Series 3 ‘LTE issues’ due to easily-fixable Wi-Fi bug – September 20, 2017
Wired reviews Apple Watch Series 3: ‘For the first time ever, I love the Apple Watch’ – September 20, 2017
9to5Mac reviews Apple Watch Series 3: Unlocks new potential with LTE, dramatically improved Siri – September 20, 2017
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple Watch Series 3 LTE models selling much faster than expected – September 18, 2017
Why the carriers must drop the Apple Watch LTE connectivity tax – September 15, 2017
How much Apple Watch Series 3 data plans will cost on Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint – September 14, 2017
Apple Watch, the world’s best-selling watch, can now work without an iPhone – September 12, 2017
New Apple Watch Series 3 delivers built-in cellular with powerful new health and fitness enhancements – September 12, 2017
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
What’s in it for Apple by releasing sales figures for Apple Watch?
The more detailed a picture offered by Apple, the more opportunities there are for mischief making by analysts.
100%
Everywhere I go, I see people wearing them. My family all have them. It’s a success, so leave it at that and let the rest suck it.
Nothing. Better Apple perpetuates the myth than confess the reality.
“What’s in it for Apple by releasing sales figures for Apple Watch?”
I would take the time to think this through. What’s not in it for Apple is the bigger question.
They just released RECORD quarterly sales figures for the Mac in exact numbers and routinely do so for years.
In addition, they routinely release quarterly unit sales figures for the cash cow iPhone, iPad and other products.
Last time I checked Apple is dwarfed by FAR more computer, smartphone, tablet maker competitors and releasing unit sales has not hurt Apple in any way. Not one atomic particle.
So, the special exemption carve out by Cook and his excuse making minions for not disclosing Watch sales figures does not hold water. Reason being, like all of Apple’s other products mentioned earlier, the same rule of thumb applies. There are far more Watch maker competitors, as well. Walk into any Best Buy, Walmart, et al.
Bottom line: What is the REAL REASON for this special exemption? Certainly, releasing sales numbers will not deter competitors from selling or innovating their own products.
Answer: First NEW product category released under Tim’s watch (no pun intended). Not sure what Cook is afraid of because, unless I missed it, we have only heard doublespeak excuses from surrogate spokespeople …
Shouldn’t disclose anything anymore. Just revenue and profits
I agree. Why should it matter? It all comes down to revenue and profits for Apple. Why give rivals a target to aim for. Keep them guessing. Amazon never discloses sales numbers for its products and it doesn’t seem to deter big investors. If Amazon can get away with non-disclosure then so should Apple get away with it.
Apple already discloses way more than anyone else. They should only disclose details occasionally in order to point out analyst manipulation.
How does the truth and transparency promote manipulation? Isn’t hiding the truth and promoting obscurity actual manipulation?
Wrong. They disclose significantly less than other publicly held companies in similar businesses. You are like a drooling groupie.
I believe there’s a financial requirement to report a line of business as a separate line item once it reaches a certain size. I don’t know if that’s 5% or 10%, but the Watch must be getting close to 5%.
F the analysts. They treat Apple like shit. Apple doesn’t need to tell them squat.
Apple, where lies and dissemination are the corporate philosophy. Apple expects others to be truthful and transparent, honest and forthright, open and fair – but Apple actually wants to hide the truth, perpetuate the myth of corporate good and beneavolence, shy from reality. Because Apple is only interested in its public persona. Of course, other corporations share similar ideas and policies, I’m not picking on Apple. But Apple is no different than the rest, Apple is exactly like the rest. Don’t let the fad ad fool you, Apple cares only about its public image and bottom line.