Apple Watch with LTE is dominating pre-order; waiting for iPhone X decreases interest in 8, says analyst

Our forever friend, the KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today published its first forecasts and considerations about sales of new Apple products. And this time, contrary to what common sense suggests, it seems that those who will emerge as the popularity champions are the gadgets… more expensive.

Hermès version of the Apple Watch Series 3

Take for example the Apple Watch Series 3: according to Kuo’s estimate, the most expensive model of the new watch, equipped with cellular connectivity, is representing about 80% of pre-sales of the accessory – apparently, the $ 70 more expensive prices for the model with the (controversial) Digital Crown red are not scaring consumers.

It is good to note, however, that this 80% can give an impression not exactly reliable of the situation: as is well known, Apple is making available the most expensive models of the Watch, such as those made with stainless steel and the Edition version, of ceramic, only in the LTE version. That is, if you want a watch with a more refined finish or sapphire screen, you will necessarily have to invest in a model with cellular connectivity.

Anyway, overall, the numbers show that Apple did its homework with its wearable. Kuo said, moreover, that the latest update of the Apple Watch is selling better than expected and will give the accessory a healthy growth in the market – perhaps even regaining first place in the segment in which it disputes.

iPhones X, 8 Plus and 8

Moving to slightly larger screens, according to Kuo, the iPhone 8 it also goes very well, thank you – but not as well as it could. And guess what, thanks to your own brother.

Obviously, the pre-sale period of iPhone X has not yet started and, therefore, there is no way to risk any guess about the performance of the device in the market. However, it is possible to observe the interest of the market in iPhones 8/8 Plus, already in pre-sale period, to realize something that we all expected: the glorious thousand dollar smartphone is taking part of the public interest in its brothers relatively more modest.

Just take a look at the delivery estimates for the iPhones 8/8 Plus at Apple’s online store in the USA: several configurations continue with an estimated deadline precisely for the day of the launch (this Friday, the 22nd). In basically all launches of iPhones until today, after the first two days of pre-sale, almost all (or all) models had their expected delivery times changed to 1-2 weeks, at least.

Therefore, Kuo says investors will certainly be conservative when placing their chips on iPhones 8/8 Plus. Whether the iPhone X will, in the long run, cannibalize sales of cheaper models, however, that will only tell time.

via Apple World Today