Most Apple Watch owners are planning to upgrade to the next-gen model
It seems most Apple Watch owners are enjoying the device enough to stick with it, at least through another model. Because according to a recent poll, around two-thirds of Apple Watch owners interviewed are indeed planning on upgrading to the next-generation “Apple Watch 2” later this year.
You might not have long to wait, either
Even with watchOS 2 and its native app support, the first-generation Apple Watch is often sluggish and stutters when displaying apps.
The news comes from AppleInsider, and cites data collected from “customer acquisition” firm Fluent. Indeed, out of the Apple Watch owners interviewed, some two-thirds noted that they are firmly planning on upgrading to the second-generation model, when it launches in either June or September. This is a surprisingly high figure, considering the features set to launch with the Apple Watch 2 are so far unknown. I'd expect, though, that these customers are hoping the next-generation model will carry enough power to turn the smart watch into a more capable, functional device. Because even with watchOS 2 and its native app support, the first-generation Apple Watch is often sluggish and stutters when displaying apps.
The same article also shared some interesting insights on Apple Watch adoption more generally, too. Out of the 2,578 people interviewed as part of Fluent's survey, a mere eight percent said that they already own one of Cupertino's smart watches. The reason for the other 92 percent avoiding the product? Simple: the price. “Both owners and non-owners cited the cost of the device as the main disincentive for buying one,” and even the recent price decrease for the Apple Watch Sport (to $299, rather than $349) adds up to a sizeable investment when you consider the cost of the device's companion iPhone handset.
I don't think the pricing structure of the Apple Watch is something Apple is going to change any time soon, although I do think the $299 entry-level price point will remain the same. It could also be that we see the first-generation Apple Watch stick around and retail alongside the second-gen model for a lower price, though at the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple outright replaced the older device with the new one in stores.
So, the bottom line is that most Apple Watch owners seem certain that they're sticking with the device for now; all Apple needs to do is focus on capturing that remaining 92 percent. Yet without lowering the entry price of its wearable, this could prove a significant challenge.