Apple Watch upgrade demand strengthens due to new health features and stable pricing; Q4 sales supported by pent-up demand and 14% shipment growth.

We got three minutes until we get the print. I'm going to go with this Apple story here. I'm gonna keep my eye on the clock here, but um producer, help me out if I get a little sidetracked, which I'm known to do, it seems.

Uh next story here is actually going to be on Apple. Uh I know we just had the uh we just had the Apple event there. Um so I figured it might be worth researching what centerp counterpoint, I beg your pardon, uh has to say about this.

Apple ticker AAPL could see strongle stronger beg pardon Apple Watch upgrade demand as new health features improved sensing and unchanged pricing makes the latest models more compelling again according to counterpoint research.

Apple launched the watch series 12 and watch Ultra 4 on Wednesday. Both models feature the new S11 chip and a redesigned health sensing system and new ondevice AI features. Prices remain unchanged at 400 bucks for the Series 12 and 800 for the Ultra 4.

Counterpoint research analyst George Lesniak said the launch primarily targets Apple's existing watch users rather than customers switching from rival brands. The upg the upgrade case could be particularly strong for owners of older models.

Watch OS 27 drops support for models older than the Series 9, and as a result, Series 7 and 8 users will need new hardware to access latest Siri and health features. Counterpoint also sees pent up demand supporting fourth quarter sales.

Global smartwatch shipments fell 4% year-over-year in the second quarter. However, Apple shipments climbed 14%. Fastest growing amongst the five largest brands. Its global market share increased to 20.1% from 17%.

Lesniak expects health and sensing features to drive near-term adoption more than AI. That makes total sense to me. The new readiness score combines several health signals into simple recommendations, strengthening Apple's push to make the watch a daily health companion.

Meanwhile, some audio intelligence features remain limited. Live Rewind and Siri Recap are slated for late 2026 beta releases are English only and will not launch in the European Union initially.

Counterpoint therefore views AI as more of a 2027 catalyst. Counterpoint Research also highlighted Apple's decision to hold prices steady. The firm said the combination of a new chip, upgraded sensors, and unchanged entry prices would help protect Apple's mainstream smartwatch volume.

Apple is also stepping up competition with Garmin, which is ticker GRMN on the NICE, Aura, and Whoop in health and recovery tracking. Counterpoint said the new readiness and heart rate variability features strengthen Apple's pitch to athletes, a segment where Garmin and smart ring makers have gained tremendous traction.

Garmin's smartwatches shipments rose 11% year-over-year in the second quarter.

Tech calls. I I I was going to say Oracle, but it's a ton of names. Nvidia, Oracle, Apple, uh TSM, Intel, MBIS calls on all of them. Oracle leading the way.

By the way, Apple strong here again today. We've talked about this being up gap fill possibility. Well, we filled it up to that one candle here. That was the candle from July 30th.

Little bit more to go here. 338. I think it fills that. I'll just say that right here. If any of you took that Apple call, we talked about this around 320. You're up 12 points on that.

Little bit more to go, it looks like. Good stuff from Apple here out of the open.

So are Apple.

Apple, uh Meta, and Tesla, the best Mac 7 performers right now.

Still see Apple calls getting bought.

Apple's kind of So, Apple did that impulse move to 334 and basically stopped there. So, it filled that first gap. So, we'll see if it's got some more continuation.

if you listen to him about Apple, uh you'd be missing out. But I think he's he's fantastic. He's been the biggest proponent I've ever seen for the right to repair movement. um really opened my eyes to just how terrible Apple products are.

Apple, Google, Intel, AET call buying, Cipher Punk calling, the CYPH. This is one we've been talking about recently. Some more call buying here in this name.

Apple call. Okay, so is Apple so interesting. So maybe Apple's trying to break and go higher here. Okay, let's see if we can get that second part of the gap filled today on Apple.

That'd be golden. Give myself a register ring for that one.

CW Parker saying Google, Apple, Amazon. Those are all ones that are looking like they might go higher.