Apple watch unveiled, to sell for N70,000 to N2m

Apple has released details of its latest product, Apple Watch, relating to its battery life, pricing and other features, as well as its official release date, plus a new MacBook and cheaper Apple TV. 

First announced in September 2014, the Apple Watch was unveiled in California by Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, who described it as the most personal product the company had ever made, with the potential to dramatically shake up the smartwatch sector.

“It’s effectively a smartwatch with a rectangular sapphire-coated display, which can be paired with an iPhone through WiFi or Bluetooth,” he said, announcing that the watch with price range of $349 (about N70, 000) to $10,000 (about N2m) will be available from April 24.

“Pre-orders start on April 10, with the device going on sale on April 24 in nine countries: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK and US.”

The home screen of the watch can be customised. Phone calls can be answered on the watch, and notifications received. Users can also share stuff like finger drawings or their heartbeats using the workout app.

There are three versions of the Watch; the standard (stainless steel) Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition, each version available in two display sizes, 38 mm and 42mm.

Apple Watch Edition is made from 18-karat gold, and has been developed to be twice as hard as standard gold. It comes with a variety of modern buckle leather straps and will sale at $10,000 (about N2m) upwards.

The stainless steel Apple Watch is made from customised stainless steel with impurities removed in order to ensure its lattice forms uniformly, making the metal up to 80 per cent harder and less susceptible to scratches. It will sell at $549 (N109,500), rising to $1,049 (N209,200) for the 38mm, and $599 (N119,500) rising to $1,099 (N219,250) depending on strap.

Apple Watch Sport is made from lightweight anodised aluminum in silver with five different strap colours – green, white, blue, pink and black. The aluminium bodies are up to 30 per cent lighter than the stainless steel Watches and will sale at $349 (about N70,000) for the 38mm and $399 (N79,600) for the 42mm upwards.

The Watch can be charged using a magnetic charger but the battery life can run for 18 hours.

($1 = N199.5)