“According to the latest research from our WDE (Wearables) research service, the Apple Watch smartwatch will ship 15 million units worldwide in 2015,” Neil Mawston writes for Strategy Analytics. “Apple will quickly become the world’s number one smartwatch vendor with 55% global marketshare this year.”
“We forecast total global smartwatch shipments to grow 511 percent from 4.6 million units in 2014 to 28.1 million units in 2015,” Mawston writes. “Most of the smartwatch growth will come from the new Apple Watch, which we forecast to ship 15.4 million units worldwide in 2015. Apple will quickly become the world’s number one smartwatch vendor and capture 55% global marketshare this year.”
“The Apple Watch is the catalyst to ignite the global smartwatch market. Apple’s famous brand, loyal fan base, deep retail presence and extensive apps ecosystem will ensure healthy uptake for its Watch. However, Apple’s first-generation Watch is not yet perfect,” Mawston writes. “For example, Apple’s Watch hardware design is arguably less attractive than some rival models such as the Huawei Watch…”
MacDailyNews Take: Arguable by sightless Fragtard dog dish lovers paid off by Huawei, perhaps.
Mawston continues, “…battery life may not be as long as many traditional wristwatch owners are used to, and Apple’s premium pricing may be challenging for mass-market consumers. Apple will need to upgrade tangibly its second-generation Watch to stay ahead of competitors later this year.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Pfft. Battery life is what it is (sorry, Apple can’t change the laws of chemistry and physics) and it’ll be just fine for Apple Watch. As for “premium pricing,” Apple Watch Sport starts at $349. Any lower and you get into the type of low-value customers that Apple would rather leave to others. Apple makes aspirational products.
In short, this “research” from Strategy Analytics reeks of a setup.
See: Smashing Apple: Is Strategy Analytics in Samsung’s pocket? – August 3, 2013
Related articles:
Apple Watch wins gold in 2015 iF Design Awards: ‘An altogether extraordinary piece of design’ – March 5, 2015
Don’t stress about Apple Watch’s battery life – it’s a 500 year old issue – January 29, 2015