Apple’s much-anticipated Watch device was finally released to consumers late last week and initial reports indicate the device is already far outselling Android and Tizen-based rivals.
According to a report in MacRumours, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that Apple’s debut smartwatch has sold more than 2.3 million units since preorders opened.
By contrast devices using Android Wear sold just 720,000 units in 2014, according to Canalys.
Apple hasn’t released any sales data on Apple Watch sales, and it most likely won’t until the company’s quarterly earnings report. But this 2.3 million figure echoes what others have estimated.
Apple’s first smartwatch began shipping Friday, fulfilling the estimated 1 to 2 million preorders the company received in the last two weeks. Or some of them, anyway, as unforeseen backups (or smart marketing looking to generate hype) caused delays in delivery estimates of up to six weeks for many buyers.
Only six trendy boutiques are selling the Apple Watch, while some early birds may also get theirs in the post as pre-order deliveries begin.
Apple’s retail boss, Angela Ahrendts, the former boss of Burberry, has said the Watch will not be available to walk up and buy until June.
The cheapest Sport model comes in at £299, while the top-end gold Edition version costs a huge £13,000.
Coming in numerous different faces, strap designs and colours, it crucially needs an iPhone to work and has a battery life of only one day.
As well as the expected call, message and notification functions, the Watch comes with a unique ‘Digital Touch’ feature, letting users tap their watch face to send customisable ‘buzzes’ to their friend’s wrist – or even transmit their heartbeat in real time.
London retailer Dover Street Market is one of the six worldwide stores who have stock on launch – believed to be around 300 units.
However, customers must call a special number to make an appointment: “We kindly ask you not to queue,” the Mayfair store says on its website.
Sales are also restricted to one per customer and buyers need to show their iPhone before getting a chance to part with their cash.
Five stores in Paris, Milan, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Berlin are the only other places to stock the device.
Rivals such as Samsung and Motorola entered the market some time ago with significantly cheaper products.
The sector was also one of the big themes as this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Importantly however, none of the companies has so far been able to capture the attention of the mass market.