Apple Watch Series 5 holding back the tide of cheaper wearable options

AppleInsider

Smartwatch sales are on the rise in North America, with Apple leading the wearable market due to the popularity of the Apple Watch Series 5.

The popularity of wearables like the Apple Watch and FitBit continues to grow in North America. The market grew 10% over last year, partially due to the popularity of under $50 activity trackers.

Image Credit: Canalys

The Apple Watch Series 5 is North America's best-selling smartwatch, matching Apple Watch Series 4 shipments in 2019, according to market researchers at Canalys.

Image Credit: Canalys

Canalys also expects that in 2021, the market will split into "activity trackers" and more full-featured "medical-oriented devices." The "Apple Watch Series 6" would likely fall into the latter category, with new health tracking features that could include blood oxygen monitoring, anxiety monitoring, and sleep tracking.

It was recently reported that the Apple Watch shipments have declined somewhat, partially due to volatile market conditions spurred by the coronavirus.

saarek

Sub £50 devices are fine, they usually achieve what they set out to achieve and most will end up in the bin or a drawer within a year.

It's like the NetBook vs MacBook proposition, Apple never operates in the cheap throw away arena and long may that remain the case.

Now come on Apple, release the preorders on the Series 6 so that I can put my order in!

Beats

Apple needs to drill the fact that Apple Watch is the original. This is how iPod won and people knew the difference. Knockoffs will begin to flood the market soon and if Apple doesn't get a grip it will be iPhone Vs. Android again.


They're coming.....



Funny, "oppo" sounds like "Apple" in Chinese.

DAalseth

What I find most interesting is how Samsung and Fitbit sales seem to have collapsed in the last year. Fitbit is interesting, if a bit sad. OTOH I'm just giggling about another failure from Samsung.

GeorgeBMac

Beats said:

Apple needs to drill the fact that Apple Watch is the original. This is how iPod won and people knew the difference. Knockoffs will begin to flood the market soon and if Apple doesn't get a grip it will be iPhone Vs. Android again.


They're coming.....



Funny, "oppo" sounds like "Apple" in Chinese.

The claim that Apple Watch was first depends on how you classify it.

Both Fitbits and Garmins preceeded the Apple Watch as activity trackers.  And, some still consider them to be superior to the Apple Watch for tracking fitness and activity.  But, that would be typical when comparing a specialized product against one facet of a generalized product.

But, I think it would be safe to say that Apple pioneered the full function smart watch:  Looked at in its entirety, with all of its functions, it was not only first, but nobody else can touch it.

eriamjh

The more interesting thing will be what happens to the Apple Watch 5 whe the 6 launches.   The 4 was discontinued and the 3 was discounted.   

Will Apple bring back the 4 when the 6 is announced or will the 3 continue at the same or lower price.  

MplsP

The value of an apple watch for me is in its integration with my iPhone; Everyone's different, but I never saw the need for a watch to tell me how many steps I've taken and if it weren't integrated with my phone the hassle of having to charge my apple watch every day would outweigh the benefit.

StrangeDays

Beats said:

Apple needs to drill the fact that Apple Watch is the original. This is how iPod won and people knew the difference. Knockoffs will begin to flood the market soon and if Apple doesn't get a grip it will be iPhone Vs. Android again.


They're coming.....



Funny, "oppo" sounds like "Apple" in Chinese.

Even that watch wallpaper is copied from the Apple Breathe watchOS app. That’s what the asian knockoffs excel at tho...

Beats

GeorgeBMac said:

Beats said:

Apple needs to drill the fact that Apple Watch is the original. This is how iPod won and people knew the difference. Knockoffs will begin to flood the market soon and if Apple doesn't get a grip it will be iPhone Vs. Android again.


They're coming.....



Funny, "oppo" sounds like "Apple" in Chinese.

The claim that Apple Watch was first depends on how you classify it.

Both Fitbits and Garmins preceeded the Apple Watch as activity trackers.  And, some still consider them to be superior to the Apple Watch for tracking fitness and activity.  But, that would be typical when comparing a specialized product against one facet of a generalized product.

But, I think it would be safe to say that Apple pioneered the full function smart watch:  Looked at in its entirety, with all of its functions, it was not only first, but nobody else can touch it.

The problem is FitBit is making Apple Watch knockoffs now. I miss when they made original fitness trackers.

Garmin is fine as long as they don't do the same.

Beats

StrangeDays said:

Beats said:

Apple needs to drill the fact that Apple Watch is the original. This is how iPod won and people knew the difference. Knockoffs will begin to flood the market soon and if Apple doesn't get a grip it will be iPhone Vs. Android again.


They're coming.....



Funny, "oppo" sounds like "Apple" in Chinese.

Even that watch wallpaper is copied from the Apple Breathe watchOS app. That’s what the asian knockoffs excel at tho...

Can you believe people are actually buying this and defending it? It's Android all over again. Apple needs to move even faster and kill these knockoffs for good.