Survey Shows Pre-Launch Demand for Apple's iWatch on Par With iPad

A new ChangeWave survey shows that consumers have a similar level of interest in buying a rumored Apple iWatch, as were interested in buying an Apple tablet just before the iPad was announced.

19% of respondents indicated they are 'very' or 'somewhat' likely to buy an iWatch, with current Apple product owners significantly more likely than others to want an iWatch.

The survey results show very strong consumer interest – with 5% of respondents saying they areVery Likely and 14% Somewhat Likely to buy an "iWatch" for themselves or someone else.

How does this level of interest compare to earlier Apple products before they were formally announced?

While there are no exact comparisons, here are the Apple "iWatch" results in relation to the ChangeWave pre-release findings for two earlier very successful Apple launches – a January 2010 survey on the original Apple Tablet and an August 2005 survey on the Apple Intel Mac.

NewImage
Rumors about the iWatch have suggested the device will run a "full" version of iOS, rather than the simpler operating system seen on the iPod nano. Additionally, The New York Times claimed the watch would have a curved glass screen.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said last year that wearable devices were "an interesting area", though "the book hasn't been written on that yet."

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...

Top Rated Comments

imgonephishin Avatar
167 months ago
I frequently plan to buy products about which I:

* know nothing about the price
* know nothing about the looks
* know nothing about the functionality
* know nothing about the release date

Sign me up!
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mmccaskill Avatar
167 months ago
Maybe I am in the minority but I have zero interest in this product.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
crackbookpro Avatar
167 months ago
So the battery dies... and you just have an i#%*$@(iCrap), and not even a watch.

This iWatch will not even come close to the demand & market opportunity that the iPad ever had... report is bogussssssssss.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
filmantopia Avatar
167 months ago
Yeah, the current attitude seems generally consistent with the "why would I want that" feeling many people had prior the iPad before its launch.

And then of course that crowd went out to buy it at some point.

Many, many people are very bad at knowing what they want before they experience it. They draw too much of their opinion of what they've seen in the past, and less on their imagination of what is possible.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gym Hellwig Avatar
167 months ago
The iWatch will be a massive failure. Take that to the bank. Nobody wants such a stupid and useless product.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
167 months ago
It wouldn't surprise me if many of you who say "why would I need one" will queue up for it the first day it is released.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)