Approximately 6% of U.S. adu lts plan to buy an Apple Watch, a modest proportion but in all likelihood large enough for Apple’s first smartwatch to be considered a success.
This is according to an Ipsos poll conducted for Reuters that was published on Wednesday, which also found that 9% of adult men and 4% of adult women plan to purchase an Apple Watch.
The survey quizzed 1,829 Americans between 8 April-14 April, and revealed that the vast majority, 62%, are "not at all interested" in buying one.
Nonetheless, if that 6% that do plan to purchase an Apple Watch go through with it, this could mean potential sales of about 15 million in the U.S. alone, according to Reuters’ estimates.
Wearables shipments reached 19 million in 2014, according to Berg Insight, which predicts that figure to swell to 168.2 million in 2019, driven by the likes of Apple and rival smartphone vendors launching devices powered by Google’s Android Wear OS.
The Apple Watch was made available for online pre-orders and in-store previews at select outlets last Friday. It is due to go on full sale on 24 April. Prices range from US$349 (€328) for an entry-level Sport version, up to $17,000 (€16,000) for the range-topping Edition version.
Sales estimates vary.
BMO Capital last week lowered its forecast to 39 million units globally from 55.5 million between the June 2015 quarter and the September 2016 quarter. Radio Free Mobile Founder Richard Windsor predicted 20 million units in the first 12 months.
