Estimates peg Apple Watch at third place in wearables with 2.8M units in June quarter
The Apple Watch's share of the global wearables market is on the rise, but still leaving the company behind rivals Xiaomi and Fitbit, according to research data published this week.
Apple shipped an estimated 2.8 million Watches in the June quarter, representing 13 percent marketshare, Strategy Analytics said. The exact figure is unknown, as Apple didn't break out Watch numbers in its quarterly results except to say sales were up 50 percent, and that it has the top-selling smartwatch in the world. A year ago Apple is thought to have shipped about 1.8 million units, putting it at 9 percent share.
The reigning wearables company is currently Xiaomi -- which thanks to its low-cost Mi Band fitness trackers shipped 3.7 million units in the June quarter, up from 3 million a year ago. The company's marketshare rose from 15 to 17.1 percent.
Taking a blow was Fitbit, which saw its share plummet from an industry-leading 28.5 percent to second-place 15.7, as shipments slid from 5.7 million units to 3.4.
"Fitbit is at risk of being trapped in a pincer movement between the low-end fitnessbands sold by Xiaomi and the fitness-led, high-end smartwatches sold by Apple," wrote Strategy Analytics executive director Neil Mawston. Much of the company's future may hinge on its first smartwatch, due by the end of the year.
The wearables industry as a whole reportedly grew 8 percent, a slower pace than the 21.2 percent seen in Q2 2016.
Apple is believed to be working on an "Apple Watch Series 3," but rumors are so far few and far between. These have suggested features like glucose monitoring, LTE, and/or "smart" bands that could add functions without requiring a complete Watch upgrade.
Apple shipped an estimated 2.8 million Watches in the June quarter, representing 13 percent marketshare, Strategy Analytics said. The exact figure is unknown, as Apple didn't break out Watch numbers in its quarterly results except to say sales were up 50 percent, and that it has the top-selling smartwatch in the world. A year ago Apple is thought to have shipped about 1.8 million units, putting it at 9 percent share.
The reigning wearables company is currently Xiaomi -- which thanks to its low-cost Mi Band fitness trackers shipped 3.7 million units in the June quarter, up from 3 million a year ago. The company's marketshare rose from 15 to 17.1 percent.
Taking a blow was Fitbit, which saw its share plummet from an industry-leading 28.5 percent to second-place 15.7, as shipments slid from 5.7 million units to 3.4.
"Fitbit is at risk of being trapped in a pincer movement between the low-end fitnessbands sold by Xiaomi and the fitness-led, high-end smartwatches sold by Apple," wrote Strategy Analytics executive director Neil Mawston. Much of the company's future may hinge on its first smartwatch, due by the end of the year.
The wearables industry as a whole reportedly grew 8 percent, a slower pace than the 21.2 percent seen in Q2 2016.
Apple is believed to be working on an "Apple Watch Series 3," but rumors are so far few and far between. These have suggested features like glucose monitoring, LTE, and/or "smart" bands that could add functions without requiring a complete Watch upgrade.
Comments
That's like complaining more VW Golf's are sold than Mercedes E-class. Apples and oranges.
That's not to trash the AW. It is a masterpiece of design and execution. But rather to point out that user needs vary.
A similar situation exists in the laptop market: Why would somebody buy a $2,000 MBP if a $200 Chromebook fits their needs?
;-)
To answer the last paragraph. Because they perhaps prefer quality, if they can afford it. I'd suggest it's more about budget than needs (and I place no moral judgement here). I use a MBP for little more than a Chromebook could do as I use a new Mac Pro for most uses. If I couldn't afford the MBP then sure, I'd use something like a Chromebook or more likely an iPad. If you want analogies, why do some folks buy a BMW when a Fiat 500 Pop can get you from point A to point B? It's about choice but choice can be constrained by budget. I know a guy who could afford a Rolls Royce but drives an old Audi, in his case he is choosing regardless of constraints.
They are mostly fraudulent products sold under false pretense that fall apart and work like utter garbage.
The companies producing these products are shameless.
They're dollar store level crap but sold at $10.
The $10 POS is not even in chromebook league, it's in the league of those $50 dollars virus infested Chinese tablets that last 2 months and wind in landfills within 3 months.
If your talking about $30-$50 dollar products you'd have a point and if people want the absolute minimal features and are willing to live with a product that does just that; good for them..
Still, doesn't mean those products should be compared with the AW. From a marketing and business perspective that's complete nonsense.
In most industries, you don't compare a Pro, prosumer or near luxury product with some dollar store junk; but not when it comes to Apple. In that case it happens ALL THE TIME.
Regardless, I've worn my AW from Day 1 and enjoy the value I get from it. I'd like to continue reaping that value, so I can definitely see a long range future for it, especially knowing that it will continue to evolve as all things do.
Yes, there is a battery issue. But give your kid a device like this that the kid likes, but can be used to track him/her down in case of an emergency = priceless.
PROFIT is the most important number, not marketshare.
"If I buy a red convertible, I'll be young and handsome -- and the girls will come flocking to me".
... That delusion is worth a lot of money to insecure people.
"Comparing the AppleWatch with an average selling price of $300 to $10 junk is ridiculous."
It sounded to me and still sounds like he was comparing product to product -- with no mention of unit sales or market share...