A recent iSense.Solutions study reveals that only 2% of Romania’s Internet users own a smartwatch. However, the number might increase as four out of ten Romanian Internet users would buy such a watch in the next 12 months. Most of them are men and young people aged between 25 and 34, with personal incomes of over RON 3,000 (EUR 680).

Although the smartwatch is seen as an expensive product, half of Romanians find it very useful.

More than 80% of the study’s respondents have heard of the smartwatch concept. Apple is the most well-known brand in Romania (60% of Romanians mentioned this brand), followed by Samsung (58%).However, 47% of respondents would purchase a Samsung smartwatch, and only 28% would buy such a product from Apple. Sony and LG come next in Romanians’ preferences.

Half of those interested in buying a smartwatch would take into account the product’s utility before making such a purchase, according to Traian Nastase, managing partner iSense.Solutions. Over 40% would buy such a watch based on the number of existing apps, 38% would make a choice based on the possibility to communicate with other people when they can’t use their phones, and 37% would look at the design.

Most of those who don’t want to buy a smartwatch say these products are too expensive (64%).  27% say they like to wear normal watches, and 22% believe that a smartwatch have nothing more to offer than a smartphone. 11% of respondents believe that smartwatches are just a passing trend.

iSense.Solutions conducted the study on a sample of 1,070 people.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com