Andrew Orr
New data shows that Apple Watch owners have entirely different iPhone purchasing habits than those that don't. Here's how they're different.
Although the Apple Watch can perform some tasks independently, it still more or less requires an iPhone for most things in early 2023. Therefore, virtually all Apple Watch owners also have an iPhone.
A new report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners examines how the Apple Watch fits into the Apple ecosystem. The iPhone dominates, and the iPad and Mac are also significant, but the Apple Watch plays an important role too.
According to data as of December 2022 among iPhone buyers who also own an Apple Watch, the Pro models in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 lineups were the most popular phones, each owned by 27% of Apple Watch owners. Conversely, those without an Apple Watch were likelier to possess a cheaper iPhone.
In that category, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini were the most popular models for people without an Apple Watch, owned by 31% of customers. However, only 15% of those non-Watch owners purchased an iPhone 13 Pro/Max or iPhone 14 Pro/Max, making them about half as likely as Watch owners to do so.
But CIRP believes the data isn't surprising.
"It makes sense that Apple customers who invest in an Apple Watch are more likely, and perhaps more able, to invest in a premium iPhone," says the report. "Apple Watch owners are more dedicated to the Apple ecosystem overall, so they see value in owning the most advanced iPhone models to complement their Apple Watch."
It's been proven throughout the years that those with multiple devices will likely be more committed to the Apple ecosystem. The report doesn't include data about other Apple products owned by Apple Watch owners and non-owners. The iPhone, however, is most certainly a requirement.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
16 Comments
Use to upgrade my phone annually but I am very content and happy with the iPhone 11 pro max along with my Apple Watch 45 mm series 7 watch.
As an avid Apple user since 1990, I currently have an iPhone 14 Pro Max (1TB) and an Ultra Watch. In addition, I have a 2020 MI MBAir (64GB and 1TB SDSD), a 2021 14" MBPro Max (64GB and 4TB SSD), 2021 M1 11" iPad (2TB) and a Mac Studio Ultra (128GB & 8TB SSD). I am keeping my 2019 16" MBPro (64GB and 8 TB SSD) to run older equipment. My file server is a 2019 Intel top model mini with 64GB and 2 TB SSD. My wife gets last year's. iPhone and has iWatch S7 and several laptops. We have something from almost every Apple product category.
We find the Apple environment perfect for us and several of her daughters who get the trickle down iPhones.
With all the chatter about M2 vs M3 processors, I will await the M3 releases before buying. that hardware. I will acquire the top model iPhone this fall but perhaps will pass on replacing my current iWatch ULTRA (if they can still be sold....).
I like that this article includes the data and the interpretation. It leaves the option open for us to interpret the data differently. I was/am a BIG FAN of iPhone SE - I do NOT like large phones. But since I bought the Apple Watch (which is technically Apple's smallest iPhone) I now buy the iPhone PRO MAX to pair it with. Why? Because it stays home (or stays in the car, or stays on my work desk) - I don't carry it with me everywhere like I did the iPhone SE. When I do carry it, it's generally because I want access to a 'big screen', which the PRO MAX provides.
The data shows I'm not alone in this. iPhone mini if you don't have AW, iPhone max if you do, because the AW is what you take with you everywhere. If you are carrying it around, then smaller is better.
Note: if you could pair the AW with an iPad, I'd never buy an iPhone again. And that's why Apple will never let customers pair AW with iPad.