The official word is that the Apple Watch will be launched in India on November 6 although its price has not been announced. The wearable device has been listed on the company’s website for the country too. Potential buyers are expecting to cough up at least Rs 36999 for its Sport edition. This is based on the rates pegged to the smartwatch through online retailer Grabmore. Sellers on eBay India are however quoting lower for it, a little above Rs 27400 being the least expensive tag for the 38mm Watch Sport in space gray.
Apple’s got a prayer if it intends to sell the cheapest model of the Apple Watch which starts at Rs 22700 ($349) in the US, for Rs 36999 on these shores. As it is, fans are seething about the fact that the new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are nailed at far higher pricing points in India than abroad. A direct conversion should have put them at roughly Rs 42000 and Rs 49000, respectively. Instead, the least expensive one here demands Rs 62000, or Rs 20000 more.
As you know, there are 3 variants of the device namely the Apple Watch, Watch Edition and Watch Sport. The first starts at $549 (roughly Rs 35600), the second can go up to $17000 (around Rs 11 lakhs), and the third begins at $349 (approx Rs 22700). A base price of Rs 30000 might seem more acceptable to buyers, in our opinion.
The Apple Watch either comes with a sapphire crystal or Ion-X glass Retina display, depending on the version chosen. The company claims the gadget can last up to 18 hours on a single charge and has a 72-hour power reserve. It runs on WatchOS 2 with support for native apps, an activation lock and a Nightstand mode.
Force Touch, the direct inspiration for the iPhone 6S’ 3D Touch function, distinguishes between a press and a tap. The Apple Watch contains a built-in mic and speaker, which can be used to conduct various activities like dictating emails and instructing Siri. People can further receive SMS and call notifications and reply to them instantly.
Also See: Opinions about the Apple Watch are divided by gender on Twitter
Apple has equipped the smartwatch with fitness-focused tools like a Workout and Activity app. The applications keep track of an individual’s daily activities, with customized settings for activities like running and cycling. The device is also capable of measuring a user’s heart rate through third-party offerings.
The cost of the Apple Watch will be revealed closer to its launch date. Meanwhile, Grabmore and eBay India have a handful of options for you to browse through.