Apple iWatch May Launch at $400, Available Only Next Year: Report

Apple is widely expected to launch the new iPhone - believed to be called the iPhone 6 - at the company's September 9 launch event. The company is also expected to be launching the much-anticipated iWatch smartwatch alongside.

There have been multiple reports tipping design, innards, and price of the next iPhone models - rumoured to come in 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes. In addition to the next iPhone, there has also been no shortage of leaks related to the company's first rumoured smartwatch, the Apple iWatch.

(Also see: LG G Watch R Price Revealed; Most Expensive Android Wear Smartwatch So Far)

The latest in the series of leaks tipping details about Apple's iWatch claim that the smartwatch will come with a premium price tag of $400 (Rs 24,200 approximately) and might be available early next year.

Re/code in a report suggests that Apple'sexecutives have been considering charging a $400 price for the alleged iWatch. However, the report claims that the price for the rumoured iWatch is yet to be finalised. Meanwhile, the smartwatch is said to start shipping next year only.

Citing sources, the report adds that the alleged iWatch can be expected to come in a range of prices for different versions of the smartwatch. Further, the report speculates that the premium price tag of $400 will put the Apple's iWatch in the high-end category against the likes of Samsung's Gear 2 ($299), and the LG G Watch R.

The alleged iWatch has been rumoured to be released in October with a 2.5-inch display and be able to collect health-related data of users. The smartwatch has been also rumoured to come with gesture support tipped by a 'Wrist-Worn' device patent.

Apple's much-anticipated iWatch is expected to leverage the company's new HealthKit platform which was announced at WWDC and will be available for the general public this fall with iOS 8. HealthKit allows health and fitness apps (including Apple's own Health app) to use various sensors to collect data, and also communicate with other apps to share data. It is also a central and secure store for all of the user's health information.

Ahead of its September 9 launch event, Apple beefed up its privacy rules related to its HealthKit platform last week. The Cupertino-based giant banned developers from selling user health data to advertisers or otherwise misusing it, as well as restricted developers from using the HealthKit APIs for apps unless primarily designed to provide health or fitness services.