Apple Watch Demand Flattening as 42mm Models Estimated to Represent Over 80% of Orders

Apple WatchKGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo issued a note to investors today that claims Apple Watch demand may be slowing down, resulting in shipment forecasts being revised down by 20% to 30% to 5-6 million units in the third quarter.

Kuo expects total Apple Watch shipments to fall within the 15 million range for the 2015 fiscal year, lower than the consensus of 20-30 million units, but remains upbeat about the Apple Watch and long-term wearable trends.

KGI Securities conducted a survey that reveals most Apple Watch orders are scheduled to ship in June, and concludes that 2Q15 production output is likely sufficient for the orders placed so far. Kuo also notes that over 80% of orders are for larger 42mm models, implying a male-dominated customer mix based on the assumption that 42mm and 38mm watches are mainly purchased by men and women respectively.

"We have learned that 42mm Apple Watch accounts for 60-70% of production. However, the shipping times of 38mm models are generally earlier than those of 42mm. We believe this is because demand for 38mm watches is significantly below that of 42mm ones. We estimate that 42mm models account for over 80% of sales. Assuming that 42mm and 38mm watches are mainly purchased by men and women respectively, the Apple Watch has attracted mostly men."

Kuo concludes that the Apple Watch, like the original iPhone, has potential albeit several areas that could be improved. In particular, he says the Apple Watch has a lack of killer apps, not a very useful Digital Crown, insufficient battery life, room for form factor improvement, sometimes sluggish processing and response times and iPhone dependance for most settings and internet access.

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Top Rated Comments

randymac09 Avatar
131 months ago
Apple Watch demand hasn't flattened. It's just become the thinnest demand we've ever seen. Unapologetically thin.
Score: 94 Votes (Like | Disagree)
icanhazapple Avatar
131 months ago
good, let it flop. focus on making a computer that is upgradeable and stop being so hostile to enthusiasts.
Score: 54 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nikhsub1 Avatar
131 months ago
Apple Watch demand already flattening? You don't say?
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
phillipduran Avatar
131 months ago
The shiny new is wearing off and meh is setting in.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PatriotInvasion Avatar
131 months ago
I've been generally "meh" on the Apple Watch since it was introduced. After seeing them in person, reading reviews, and hearing first-hand accounts of how people I know like it....I'm still "meh".

Seems like a nice little accessory at a $199, or $249 price point. $400 for the cheapest 42mm and ludicrous price structures for every model north of that doesn't make a ton of sense to me.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
furam90 Avatar
131 months ago
No surprise, there just simply isn't a market for wearables at their current price and their current bulkiness. I wore mine out to the bar the other night with some friends and they were all questioning my buy.

The only other person I've seen wearing one so far is this old hippie, quack professor I used to have. So yeah, not surprised at the sales figures.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)