iWatch Release Date Rumors: Apple's Smart Watch Expected to Hit Shelves Late Fall and Sell Up to $60M Units in First Year
ByWhen Apple launches its iWatch, the company could benefit from an affect that has boosted sales of the first model of past devices.
In a research note shared with AppleInsider.com, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty predicted the iWatch would sell between 30 million and 60 million units in its first 12 months. Instead of using current smart watch sales, Huberty referenced the first model of past Apple "iDevices."
For example, she compared Sony's Walkman to the iPod, the BlackBerry to the iPod and the Netbook to the iPad. This "halo effect" was first used to describe iPod sales and how the device helped turn PC users to Apple's Mac computers.
For her model of predicted iWatch sales, she assumed Apple's smart watch will be sold at $300. She said investors have underestimated Apple's new iDevices in the past because they use existing products to generate their predictions.
Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with KGI Securities with a reputation for accurate Apple-related rumors, said he does not expect the iWatch to hit shelves until late this fall. According to MacRumors.com, previous rumors have stated Apple will start mass-producing the iWatch in July, readying them for a Sept. release.
Kuo revised a past report, now stating that Apple is expected to start the iWatch's mass production in late Nov. rather than Sept. The reason for the delay, Kuo said, is that various aspects of the iWatch's hardware is more complicated than previously believed.
"We believe developing the hardware and OS of iWatch will be a much more difficult task than for Apple's existing products," Kuo told Mac Rumors.
Apple is known to alter its plans up to start of a device's mass production, so Apple could release the iWatch in limited quantities to meet a fall release date before shipping the device in greater quantities later on.