Apple stores in Sydney will carry a range of different watch straps and faces, shoppers will be able to try on different models in its stores or at certified dealers such as JB Hi Fi or Harvey Norman, according to Channel News.
Apple said that, beginning April 10 in Australia, the device will be available for preview, try-on by appointment at Apple’s retail stores, and available for pre-order through Apple Online.
The cheapest model is the Apple Watch Sport, which starts at A$499 for the 38-millimetre model and $579 for the 42mm. It has an aluminium body and rubber strap in 10 different designs.
The top-of-the -range Apple Watch Edition model, which comes in an 18-carat rose gold casing, will start at $14,000.
Telsyte analyst Foad Fadaghi said Apple’s watches are a major boon for the smartwatch market as a whole.
“Telsyte believes the Apple Watch will double the local smartphone market in 2015 and that stock limitations, especially in the lower cost models might be a limiting factor in the initial shipments,” Fadaghi told
But he added: “The entry price will be a inhibitor for many consumers, given a full smartphone can cost around the same price.
“The target user base will be higher-end Apple users, potentially mainly from the base of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users and/or fans that will pay for Apple products regardless of price.”
Given that the Apple Watch only works with iPhones, users of Android-based devices are being forced to look to other vendors, cannibalising its sales.
While he anticipates reasonable sales in 2015, Fadaghi said Australians have become wary of first-generation models of any technology, which can be riddled with bugs and quickly surpassed by newer models.
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