Teen interest in 'iWatch' growing as iPhone dominates field, study says
Apple's iPhone continues to lead all competing devices in the important U.S. teen demographic, but the future spenders of America are exhibiting fast-growing interest in new product categories like the iWatch.
Source: PiperJaffray
As part of its Spring 2014 Teen Survey (PDF download), investment bank Piper Jaffray found Apple's iPhone to have built on its position as the smartphone of choice for teens in the U.S., though the bigger takeaway is increased interest in a much rumored smartwatch entry.
Currently, about six percent of the roughly 7,500 teens surveyed own a smartwatch of some ilk, a number slightly higher than expected considering a general lack of choice in the marketplace, said senior research analyst Gene Munster. More importantly, however, are the 17 percent of teens who indicated they would purchase an "iWatch" if Apple were to launch the product at a price point below $350.
Munster points out that an October 2013 survey gauging iWatch interest from the general public showed only 12 percent of U.S. buyers would seriously consider the device. The analyst believes the numbers suggest a nearing potential launch date is fueling interest in the supposed smartwatch. He maintains that Apple will sell some 5-10 million iWatch units in its first full year on the market
Further, the buzz around iWatch indicates teens are looking forward to new product categories from Apple. In February, CEO Tim Cook said the company is working to introduce new devices that any "reasonable" person would consider new categories. It is unclear what Cook was referring to, though industry watchers believe iPhones with larger displays, new laptop offerings and a smartwatch are all on the table.
As for the iPhone, Munster found 61 percent of teens own a version of Apple's handset, up from 55 percent in fall 2013. Looking forward, 67 percent of teens plan to make the iPhone their next smartphone purchase, possibly driven by rumors of a larger screened model that may see release later this year.
Finally, 60 of teens own a tablet device with iPad accounting for 66 percent of the total. Marketshare is down from fall, which saw 68 percent of tablet-owning teens on an iPad.
Source: PiperJaffray
As part of its Spring 2014 Teen Survey (PDF download), investment bank Piper Jaffray found Apple's iPhone to have built on its position as the smartphone of choice for teens in the U.S., though the bigger takeaway is increased interest in a much rumored smartwatch entry.
Currently, about six percent of the roughly 7,500 teens surveyed own a smartwatch of some ilk, a number slightly higher than expected considering a general lack of choice in the marketplace, said senior research analyst Gene Munster. More importantly, however, are the 17 percent of teens who indicated they would purchase an "iWatch" if Apple were to launch the product at a price point below $350.
Munster points out that an October 2013 survey gauging iWatch interest from the general public showed only 12 percent of U.S. buyers would seriously consider the device. The analyst believes the numbers suggest a nearing potential launch date is fueling interest in the supposed smartwatch. He maintains that Apple will sell some 5-10 million iWatch units in its first full year on the market
Further, the buzz around iWatch indicates teens are looking forward to new product categories from Apple. In February, CEO Tim Cook said the company is working to introduce new devices that any "reasonable" person would consider new categories. It is unclear what Cook was referring to, though industry watchers believe iPhones with larger displays, new laptop offerings and a smartwatch are all on the table.
As for the iPhone, Munster found 61 percent of teens own a version of Apple's handset, up from 55 percent in fall 2013. Looking forward, 67 percent of teens plan to make the iPhone their next smartphone purchase, possibly driven by rumors of a larger screened model that may see release later this year.
Finally, 60 of teens own a tablet device with iPad accounting for 66 percent of the total. Marketshare is down from fall, which saw 68 percent of tablet-owning teens on an iPad.
Comments
Geez, that's scraping the bottom of the old rumour mongering pot ....
do not buy it, ever kid I talk to and I have lots of chance to do that with teenager in the house, they kind a watch is useless device, they think you are not with it if you wear a watch, it like being your parents and since when does kids do what they parents do. I suspect they set up the question in a way to get a response they were looking for, kind like the republican party did when they thought they won the 2012 elections. they asked the question show they could feel good about thinking of winning.
Tp be fair, smart watches didn't exist for their parents generation and therefore i suspect the budding smart watch revolution is one being led by young folks who are much more entrenched in techno-society than their parents. and that, in itself, could be a motivator for those who wish to break from the conventions of their parents by wearing a computer on their wrist.
Smart watches still don't exist yet. Most of what they do relies on a more advanced device (phone) to function.
Tp be fair, smart watches didn't exist for their parents generation and therefore i suspect the budding smart watch revolution is one being led by young folks who are much more entrenched in techno-society than their parents. and that, in itself, could be a motivator for those who wish to break from the conventions of their parents by wearing a computer on their wrist.
Unless the watch replace the phone in its entirety kids are not going to wear them, it not that a watch is dumb today, kids see no purpose in wearing things on their wrists. Talk to some, they see things on your wrist as being like their parents. I also doubt a watch will replace a phone, people are not going to walk around talking into their watches, not cool even if Dick Tracy had the best phone watch around.
Sounds like you've done some sound research.
They may real soon, tho it is coming from Samsung which puts the "smart" part in question.
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/samsung-galaxy-gear-solo-smartwatch,26494.html
I think this picture of the iPhone 6 may be the moats accurate. Not50% but 7-10% thiner. Nice mock up tho.
Will upgrade to iWatch, iPhone 6, iPad Air 4G 128GB white. Own iPhone 5 white, iPad 3rd gen 4G retina 32GB white, iPod shuffle 3rd gen, iPod 2nd gen x 3rd gen, iPod touch 2nd gen, cases, cables, and docks.
The devises will become ever more popular amongst broader groups of people. Teens, elders, smart or bold. The people who depend on a reliant and artistic ecosystem know why they choose Apple. [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/41476/width/500/height/1000[/IMG]
And there’s my laugh for today. I’m down to one; gonna kick that habit soon!
Mmm… I like this. Sort of think they might do something more radical, but I love keeping flat sides around.
"Currently, about six percent of the roughly 7,500 teens surveyed own a smartwatch of some ilk"
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 40,717,537 youth age 10-19 in the United States.
Okay, so if the survey is indicative of the broader population, we should be able to multiply 40 plus Million by .06 and find out how many teens own smart watches in the US.
(Pulls up calculator app...)
2,443,000 plus teens in the US own smart watches!? Waaaa?
Is that possible?
Or did they just like interview teens at Palo Alto, CA private schools?
Unless the watch replace the phone in its entirety kids are not going to wear them, it not that a watch is dumb today, kids see no purpose in wearing things on their wrists.
Really? My teenage daughter and a lot of her friends, some of whom are guys, wear bracelets on their wrists. We don't know what the iWatch is like if such exists in the first place so it's too early to make predictions based on blanket statements that were made in reference to existing products. There are so many things that expert marketers thought were going to be lame and ended up big hits. And vice versa.
Not sure that is even accurate. Everything from friendship bracelets, awareness for a cause type bracelets, etc are worn by kids and we would never of worn that crap when I was young. Even back then it would have been a swatch and that was not for that many years. They key thing about swatch was a fashion statement. Kids didn't all of a sudden need to know what time it was. An iWatch would be fashion and tech geek chic and that plus a killer app and Apple will be getting on enough wrists to matter. In 2006 not manny people needed a smartphone.they were not that smart and it was pretty damn expensive for what amounted to WAP internet. I don't need the fashion, or the geek chic, but I could be on board for a killer app.
Smart watches still don't exist yet. Most of what they do relies on a more advanced device (phone) to function.
Nit may now be considered picked.