Several Apple Watch models are on display. (Photo : Reuters)
While most of the world is buzzing about the recent launch of the Apple Watch, a research study conducted by Tencent Tech has proven that this new innovation from Apple would not be a sure hit among the country's consumers.
According to the study, a whopping 54.6 percent of the 22,000 participants surveyed said that they would not buy the watch, while 27.4 percent reported that they were not entirely sure. Further, subjects who said they would buy the watch only rang at the abysmally low 18 percent.
There are several reasons why this new product from Apple does not appeal to the general Chinese public. Number one in the factors is the big price tag. At 2,600 yuan at its lowest price point to 12,8000 yuan for its premiere model, Chinese consumers deem the product too much of an extravagance for them to purchase.
There is also concern with battery life and the compatibility of the watch to only iPhones. With the battery draining after 18 hours and the population of China being mostly Android users, the extra expense of a power bank and an iPhone is simply not practical, according to the participants of the research.
Moreover, 22.8 percent of them said that should the watch be independent of an Apple phone, then they would consider buying one.
The overall function and design of the Apple Watch has also been criticized by its would-be patrons. Consumers consider this watch to cater only to a limited number of uses, and its small screen and tacky, unfashionable design turns Chinese buyers off.
