Apple Watch Series 3 LTE crowned as best-selling smartwatch in Asia

Posted:
in Apple Watch edited February 2020
Apple has shipped 3.5 million Apple Watch units globally in the last quarter, according to estimates from analytics firm Canalys, with the LTE-equipped model of the Apple Watch Series 3 claimed to be the best-shipping smartwatch in Asia in the second quarter.




Global smartwatch shipments for the second quarter of 2018 reached 10 million units, Canalys claims, with Apple continuing to take up a large percentage of global market share. The claimed 3.5 million shipments is said to be an improvement on the same quarter last year, with Apple increasing the number of Apple Watches shipped by approximately 30 percent.

Despite the shipment growth, the firm believes Apple's market share has in fact reduced down on a quarterly basis, moving from 43 percent of the market in the first quarter of 2018 to a 34 percent share. It is suggested the growth in shipments was aided by "stellar performances" by Fitbit and Garmin, swelling the market faster than the Apple Watch's own growth.

In the first quarter, Canalys estimated Apple shipped 3.8 million Apple Watches, an increase of 35 percent year-on-year.




The firm believes Appe saw considerable growth in shipments for Asia, excluding China, surpassing 250,000 units for the quarter. The LTE edition of the Apple Watch Series 3 also received praise as the best-shipping watch for the markets in the quarter, accounting for approximately 60 percent of Apple's smartwatch shipments.

"Apple's decision to expand internationally with operators has quickly reaped rewards in Asia Pacific," advises Canalys Senior Analyst Jason Law, noting partnerships with carriers in Australia, Japan, and Singapore since the launch of the Series 3 range. Carriers in Thailand, India, and South Korea made deals to distribute the model in the last quarter.

Law continues to suggest the operators in these markets are willing to resell connected devices other than smartphones, to generate extra revenue from data services. "India is a surprising addition to the list of countries," adds Law. "But this is a good strategy by Airtel and Reliance Jio to retain their high-value customers in a bid to maximize churn in a cut-throat market."

Canalys' analysis follows a similar report from IDC earlier this month, which claims Apple improved shipments 13.5 percent year-on-year for the quarter to 4 million Apple Watch units.

Estimates and analysis from Canalys, IDC, and other firms may differ from Apple's actual results, as they are sourced via third-party data, such as sales and shipments passing through carriers and other entities. Apple also doesn't provide exact details about Apple Watch sales, making monitoring the product's performance especially difficult.

Apple is expected to reveal a redesigned Apple Watch with a larger screen, better battery life, and improved health features later this year. Few rumors have surfaced about the wearable, except that it is likely to stay similar in design to its current shape.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 11
    nunzynunzy Posts: 662member
    Apple doesn't care about market share. Did they make the most profit?
  • Reply 2 of 11
    gutengelgutengel Posts: 363member
    Can't wait to get the Series 4 this fall. The only thing I'm torn about is what size I should get :/ Still got my Series 0, running strong, but showing some edge.
    watto_cobrajbdragon
  • Reply 3 of 11
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,727member
    nunzy said:
    Apple doesn't care about market share. Did they make the most profit?
    Does Apple even know how not to make a profit? ;)
    nunzyStrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 11
    badmonkbadmonk Posts: 1,294member
    Pretty good for a device that was widely panned by Apple’s critics.
    StrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 11
    racerhomie3racerhomie3 Posts: 1,264member
    I love my Series 2, and the Millenese loop has made it quite a conversation starter.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 11
    nunzynunzy Posts: 662member
    badmonk said:
    Pretty good for a device that was widely panned by Apple’s critics.
    They always do that, and then Apple comes back with record numbers.














    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 11
    I had a series 0 and it's the last first generation Apple product I will ever buy. I have a series 3 now and I love it.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 11
    dunksdunks Posts: 1,254member
    I still wear my series 0 every day. I recently took it on an overnight trip—sans charger—and it lasted the full 2 days. If the series 4 rumours pan out I'll upgrade though I expect it will take a long time until apps are updated to take advantage of the increased real estate. I also look forward to increases in CPU speed and swim tracking. I'd like to see the sapphire display come to the sports models as well, but the chances of that are probably close to nil. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 11
    hentaiboyhentaiboy Posts: 1,252member
    By the way, those that said that Apple Watch would sound the death knell for the Swiss Watch industry should think again...

    https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/swiss-watches-america-is-back-business-news

    edited July 2018
  • Reply 10 of 11
    racerhomie3racerhomie3 Posts: 1,264member
    hentaiboy said:
    By the way, those that said that Apple Watch would sound the death knell for the Swiss Watch industry should think again...

    https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/swiss-watches-america-is-back-business-news

    They will keep on dreaming. I am laughing while using my Apple Watch , which gets more respect than a useless Swiss Watch.
    jbdragon
  • Reply 11 of 11
    jbdragonjbdragon Posts: 2,311member
    gutengel said:
    Can't wait to get the Series 4 this fall. The only thing I'm torn about is what size I should get :/ Still got my Series 0, running strong, but showing some edge.
    I wear my 42mm Original every day.  But it is slow and won't get the WatchOS5 update this year.  It's time for a upgrade this year.  I just don't thing I need LTE service on it.  I hate the red dot.  It's just so ugly every time I see it on someone else.

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