New | Apple Watch looks awesome... but it’s too expensive for Asia
The US$550 price tag is unlikely to find a receptive audience in the region
Today, Apple finally announced its long-speculated smart watch offering, the Apple Watch. The device looks fantastic. A square design with customizable straps, Apple Watch has a user-friendly interface for accessing standard apps, tracking your health, using the new Apple Pay wireless payment system, and, of course, telling time. With three options to choose from, Watch, Sport, and Edition, there should be something for everyone.
Will Asia embrace the new technology when it is released in early next year though? Apple clearly put an enormous amount of research and development into its watch. The starting price of US$349 (HK$2,704.9) is enough indication. At that price, it might have some takers, seeing as how Samsung’s Gear S is expected to retail at about US$385.
Apple Watch requires an iPhone to operate, making its real price much, much higher. The newly announced iPhones, the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus, start retailing at US$199 and US$299, respectively. Those prices assume a two-year mobile subscription plan.
New users without an iPhone have to shell out a minimum of US$550 in order to get an Apple Watch. The Gear S, on the other hand, does not require the purchase of a Samsung phone to operate. To be released in October, Samsung’s smartwatch is able to make phone calls independently.
But Apple’s ecosystem is an undeniable strength. The way it locks consumers into the virtuous cycle of iPod, iPhone, Mac, App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple TV is enviable. Even so, the Apple Watch may represent one step too far.