Only 8 Percent Of Americans Plan To Buy An Apple Watch, Survey Finds

The Apple Watch has raised attention via numerous TV spots, ads, celebrity giveaways and a quick sellout of preorders. But even then, most Americans remain unconvinced: Only 8 percent of people surveyed say they're interested in purchasing it, and only 18 percent are interested in buying a wearable device at all, according to findings from financial services firm Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group (CG).

That data was gathered from a survey of more than a thousand U.S. residents over the age of 18. When asked what it would take to make wearable technology successful, 53 percent of respondents felt a device’s attractiveness was most important, followed by notifications (39 percent) and mobile payments (30 percent).

“While wearables are a significant trend in technology, their utility to financial services remains to be seen,” Byl Cameron, CG’s digital practice lead, said in a press release. “But the fact that one-third of consumers are comfortable making a payment from a wearable device tells us that this technology is a ‘must-watch’ development in [financial tech].”

With the launch of the Apple Watch, Apple will be bringing Apple Pay -- its mobile payment system -- to users' wrists. Similar features are also planned for smartwatches from Swatch and other manufacturers.

Of the 18 percent of respondents interested in purchasing a wearable device, Apple Watch took nearly half the share with 8 percent, followed by the Samsung Galaxy Gear with 4 percent, LG Lifeband with 1 percent, Google Glass with 2 percent, and the remaining 3 percent going to devices.

The responses from adults surveyed are similar to those from a survey conducted among teenagers last week by Piper Jaffray, which found 11 percent had any intention of purchasing an Apple Watch. Style and notification features also ranked highly among reasons for their preference of the Watch.