Apple Watch pre-orders hit 2.3 million

Report says that Apple has received 2.3 million pre-orders for its smartwatch ahead of launch next week

Apple has generated around 2.3 million pre-orders for the Apple Watch ahead of it going on sale on April 24.

This was according to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who said that mass production of the Watch began in March and that all initial orders should be fulfilled by the end of May.

The analyst, normally a well-informed Apple source, estimates that 85 per cent of the orders will be for the entry-level Apple Watch Sport which has an RRP starting at £299.

The remaining pre-orders are predominantly for the stainless steel version, which starts at £479 aand a small number (one per cent) for the gold version which can cost up to £13,500.

Apple has not supplied any stock of the Apple Watch to UK operators or retailers at its launch and is instead focusing on its own channels, as well as high-end retailers such as Selfridges.

However, Dixons Carphone chief executive officer Seb James said this morning that it would be selling the device “in due course”.