Close on the heels of launching iPhone 6S and 6S Plus in India last month, Apple has launched its much-awaited Watch range in the country ahead of Diwali.
Beginning today, Apple Watch will be officially available for sale through Apple's retail channels across the country. The smartwatch - in Gold, Rose Gold, Space Gray, Silver Anodized Aluminium; polished Silver or Space Black stainless steel, and 18-Carat Rose Gold and Yellow Gold - has been launched seven months after its first debut in many countries.
Apple Watch comes in 40 combinations in two case sizes of 38mm and 42mm across three collections of Sport, Edition, and the regular. Besides the case, the box includes a band or strap, both of which come in different material and colour combinations.
The starting price of the Silver Aluminium Case and White Sport Band is Rs 30,900 for the 38mm and Rs 34,900 for the 42mm, making these two the cheapest of the lot.
It is Rs 48,900 and Rs 52,900 for the 38mm and 42mm Stainless Steel Case respectively, with White Sport Band.
The price goes up to Rs 95,900 along with the stainless steel Link Bracelet and Rs 60,900 in the Classic Buckle leather strap option in two colours. Recently-introduced red coloured sport band is another option.
Apple Watch Edition (made in 18-Carat Rose gold casing) is the most expensive of the lot. It comes with jaw-dropping price tags that start at Rs 8.2 lakh for the 38mm model paired with the cheapest White Sport Band.
The price of the same watch's 42mm version is Rs 9.9 lakh, while the most expensive one in the series is priced at a whopping Rs 14.2 lakh. Apple Watch Hermes designer range has not been launched in India.
Apple is selling multiple standalone bands in both sizes that can be purchased separately. These are made of different materials such as fluoroelastomer, leather and stainless steel mesh as well as leather loops with magnets inside for quick fastening.
For instance, the colourful Sport Bands (available in as many as 13 shades) are priced at a steep Rs 3,900 each if someone wants to buy more.
To operate, Apple Watch needs to be paired with any iPhone (from iPhone 5 onwards) running an updated iOS, at least for the first time. Since it does not have an independent sim slot, a user can place a call only if the paired iPhone is within the 18-feet Bluetooth range. However, the call can be initiated and concluded on the Watch itself as it has a built-in speaker and a mic.
It comes to India pre-loaded with watchOS 2 and boasts of 1,300 native apps. A total of 13,000 apps are available on the Watch App Store currently.
Industry observers feel Apple inordinately delayed the launch of Apple Watch in India and may have clearly over-priced it for such a price-sensitive market.
Yet, it may well be able to score over second generation products from rivals like Samsung, Motorola and Huawei because of its overall rich user experience and intuitive interface that has always characterised Apple products.
Soon-to-be-launched Samsung Gear S2 (the beautiful-looking round-smartwatch) which runs on Samsung's own operating system Tizen instead of Google's Android Wear which powered its predecessor, or the new Motorola 360 can be formidable challengers to Apple Watch if priced right.
While Apple seems to have stolen a march over others by launching its smartwatch ahead of the Diwali festive shopping season, its high price tags could prove to be a dampener.
The launch comes at a time when, in a few months' time, the company is all set to announce the launch of the successor to the first edition of its wearable. Yet, the fact remains that despite lacking trailblazing success, the Apple Watch had outsold all other smartwatches put together within a few months of going on sale.
It remains to be seen if Apple can recreate that magic in India by resorting to new and innovative retail formulae that push the envelope.
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