Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
HomePod Estimated to Have 3 Million Sales and 6% Market Share in United States
The installed base of smart speakers in the United States, including the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and HomePod, has reached a combined 50 million units, according to research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.
CIRP estimates that, of that installed base, the HomePod has increased its market share to six percent as of the second quarter of 2018, ending June 30, implying that HomePod sales have now crossed three million in the United States.
By comparison, the Amazon Echo has 70 percent market share in the United States, with the Google Home at 24 percent, so the HomePod has significant ground to make up, which is to be expected since it only launched this past February, two to three years after its biggest competitors.
Even now, the HomePod is only available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, and Germany.
Josh Lowitz, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP, suggested that it may be difficult for Apple to gain additional market share among smart speakers, unless it releases a more competitively priced model. HomePod is priced at $349, while the Amazon Echo starts at $50, and the Google Home is regularly $129.
A report out of China said the lower-cost HomePod could be priced between $150 and $200, although it's unclear what tradeoffs would be made to achieve that price point. Most reviews agree the HomePod sounds great, but isn't so smart, so it's hard to envision that Apple would compromise on sound quality.
A few months ago, another Chinese report said the lower-priced HomePod could actually be a Siri-enabled Beats speaker.
Apple doesn't disclose HomePod sales, instead grouping it under its "Other Products" category in its earnings reports, alongside the Apple Watch, Apple TV, AirPods, Beats, iPod touch, and accessories. In May, research firm Strategy Analytics estimated HomePod shipments totaled 600,000 in the first quarter.
CIRP said its findings are based on its survey of 500 owners of the Amazon Echo, Google Home, or HomePod in the United States, who owned one of these devices as of June 30, 2018. The survey was conducted between July 1 and July 18.
CIRP estimates that, of that installed base, the HomePod has increased its market share to six percent as of the second quarter of 2018, ending June 30, implying that HomePod sales have now crossed three million in the United States.
By comparison, the Amazon Echo has 70 percent market share in the United States, with the Google Home at 24 percent, so the HomePod has significant ground to make up, which is to be expected since it only launched this past February, two to three years after its biggest competitors.
Even now, the HomePod is only available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, and Germany.
Josh Lowitz, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP, suggested that it may be difficult for Apple to gain additional market share among smart speakers, unless it releases a more competitively priced model. HomePod is priced at $349, while the Amazon Echo starts at $50, and the Google Home is regularly $129.
Apple introduced HomePod in the first quarter, and now has a small but meaningful share. It took a small share of the market from both Amazon and Google. Still, Amazon has a two-year head start, and Amazon and Google each have a low-priced device that accounts for at least half of unit sales, so it's not clear how much further Apple can establish itself in the market without a more competitive model.Back in April, well-connected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was "mulling" a "low-cost version" of the HomePod, potentially due to shipments of the current version potentially being "far below market expectations."
A report out of China said the lower-cost HomePod could be priced between $150 and $200, although it's unclear what tradeoffs would be made to achieve that price point. Most reviews agree the HomePod sounds great, but isn't so smart, so it's hard to envision that Apple would compromise on sound quality.
A few months ago, another Chinese report said the lower-priced HomePod could actually be a Siri-enabled Beats speaker.
Apple doesn't disclose HomePod sales, instead grouping it under its "Other Products" category in its earnings reports, alongside the Apple Watch, Apple TV, AirPods, Beats, iPod touch, and accessories. In May, research firm Strategy Analytics estimated HomePod shipments totaled 600,000 in the first quarter.
CIRP said its findings are based on its survey of 500 owners of the Amazon Echo, Google Home, or HomePod in the United States, who owned one of these devices as of June 30, 2018. The survey was conducted between July 1 and July 18.
Related Roundup: HomePod
Tag: CIRP
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)
[ 164 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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13 months ago
A mediocre, inflexible, and expensive lifestyle product selling far below market expectations?
Shocking!
Shocking!
13 months ago
A mediocre, inflexible, and expensive lifestyle product selling far below market expectations?
Shocking!
A dumb comment with little substance or supportive commentary, on MacRumors?
Shocking!
13 months ago
Hmm I think a better comparison would be comparing market share with Sonos. Homepod’s selling point is it’s sound quality, not really it’s smart capabilities. The lines are blurring a bit, though, with Sonos embracing Echo.
13 months ago
I will buy one the minute they get it down to $199. If they have to sacrifice a little sound quality and call it a HomePod Mini to get it done, I'm okay with that. But that's the sweet spot price point, in my opinion.
I mainly just want a way to control HomeKit when my phone is in the other room. My Series 2 watch does the job, but it's far too slow to respond for it to be useful right now.
I mainly just want a way to control HomeKit when my phone is in the other room. My Series 2 watch does the job, but it's far too slow to respond for it to be useful right now.
13 months ago
Whose expectations? Why is it mediocre?
He’s just hating on it without realising it’s main purpose.The sound on it is rather stunning so for him to say it’s mediocre shows his trolling levels.
13 months ago
This a comparison doesn't make any sense. What do the numbers look like if you remove the Echo Dot?
13 months ago
Love mine
Bought a 2nd yesterday
No surprise sales are a lot better after air play 2 and stereo pairing is out
Plus calendar appointments and phone calls coming soon..it’s certainly on the up and getting better with time.
Bought a 2nd yesterday
No surprise sales are a lot better after air play 2 and stereo pairing is out
Plus calendar appointments and phone calls coming soon..it’s certainly on the up and getting better with time.
13 months ago
Yeah when its $199 that’ll be a wrap
$349 is prohibitive for people that just want to wet their feet without eroding funds for their next iPhone :p
$349 is prohibitive for people that just want to wet their feet without eroding funds for their next iPhone :p
13 months ago
It seems odd to compare sales of a $350 speaker to Amazon’s offerings, which if I recall, have occasionally sold for one tenth that price.
Especially considering the huge difference in sound quality, which is what HomePod is about.
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