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Apple Watch Sales Comprised Half of Smartwatch Market in 2018

Thursday February 28, 2019 1:40 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple Watch maintained pole position in the smartwatch market over last year's fourth quarter as global smartwatch shipments continued to grow, according to the latest research from Strategy Analytics.


Apple shipped 9.2 million Apple Watch units during Q4 2018, according to the report, rising 18 percent from 7.8 million units in Q4 2017. Global smartwatch shipments meanwhile grew 56 percent annually to reach a record 18 million units in the same quarter.

Apple's global smartwatch marketshare actually slipped to 51 percent this quarter, down from 67 percent a year ago, but Apple held on to first position with a 51 percent global smartwatch marketshare, while Samsung jumped to second place, overtaking Fitbit and Garmin.

The research corroborates an earlier report from consumer research firm The NPD Group that Apple Watch is the "clear market leader" in the U.S. smartwatch market, but it also underlines the growing threat of rivals like Samsung, which continues to invest heavily in wearables that are compatible with both Android devices and iPhones.
"Apple's global smartwatch marketshare slipped to 51 percent this quarter, down from 67 percent a year ago," said Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics. "Apple Watch is losing marketshare to Samsung and Fitbit, whose rival smartwatch portfolios and retail presence have improved significantly in the past year."
Apple doesn't reveal Apple Watch unit sales from its overall earnings. But in a recent earnings call for the first quarter of the 2019 fiscal year, CEO Tim Cook said the company's wearables revenue was being driven by the "amazing popularity" of Apple Watch and AirPods, and that the category was "approaching the size of a Fortune 200 company."

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5
Tag: Strategy Analytics
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
[ 83 comments ]


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Relentless Power
12 weeks ago

Health features are a gimmick


I Actually know of people that the Apple Watch saved their life, and you’re telling others in this thread that health features are a ‘Gimmick’? [There are documented stories on the health features the Apple Watch has saved lives.] It’s hard to take your post any thing as credible.
Rating: 18 Votes
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jcswim312
12 weeks ago
I love my Apple Watch!

I currently have the second generation Apple Watch and plan on buying the fifth generation when it comes out later this year
Rating: 13 Votes
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Remy149
12 weeks ago

It’s like Pokémon, people need something to play, ...
[doublepost=1551355733][/doublepost]

This features are disabled by default in the whole world.
Health features are a gimmick - if not tailored to the unhealthy person.

This would make only sense when a doctors customizes the watch for You and uses the data

I’ve lost 60 pounds since October thanks to the health and fitness features of the Apple Watch
Rating: 12 Votes
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harriska2
11 weeks ago
We bought a $400 Apple Watch for my son and it was a great investment. He has autism and no sense of time. He now uses the timer to study and take breaks. He answers his phone and messages. He has a clue as to what the weather is doing and if he needs a coat. All without prompts or nagging. He is 23 and has had the watch for only 2.5 months. Amazing technology. I see it as becoming very important for aging and disabled populations - especially if they can get a better lte inside it and it doesn’t require a cell phone.
Rating: 9 Votes
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nfl46
12 weeks ago
It’s crazy how many people thought the Apple Watch wouldn’t do well. Now, you see these things everywhere.
Rating: 8 Votes
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orbital~debris
12 weeks ago
Still enjoying my first generation (‘series 0’) Apple Watch here - used since delivery on launch day.

It’s really quite slow now with the latest watchOS available for it (4.3.2) but it wasn’t so bad back with the first few versions of watchOS. However, battery life still admirably good for its age, and Apple Pay on your wrist is marvellous.

I was hoping to upgrade to a series 4, but now may have to wait until series 5.

It’s been an interesting journey seeing how Apple have readjusted their focus for the Watch, and they do seem to be on a great trajectory with health & fitness features. I hope they work on filling out other uses, too - to expand the capabilities of this little companion computer.
Rating: 7 Votes
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IIGS User
12 weeks ago
Love my series 4. Would get another one in the future...
Rating: 6 Votes
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pika2000
12 weeks ago

Good job Apple! The Apple Watch is well done and should be a model to others.

So munch negative comments for Tim (well deserved as he is a fool) but will give him credit where credit is due.

Only problem is that most of the world doesn’t use iOS or iMessages. Just in Asian, no one uses it. Line, wechat dominate, so utility of the Apple Watch is reduced (Walkie talkie) as most of the world has andriod (Apple fan boys please look up world stats before denying it)

I use Line and WeChat on my Apple Watch, they have apps for it. So don’t see the problem.
Rating: 6 Votes
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Sasparilla
12 weeks ago
This is where Apple should pull an iPod and deploy the Watch on Android and just consume the market. Guessing they won't, but the opportunity is there.
Rating: 5 Votes
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pika2000
12 weeks ago

The only negativity I read about the Apple Watch, was on sites like this that were knocking a new product that Apple wanted to bring to the market.

The Apple Watch when it first started, was really mainly a notification device, but now that health is priority, it’s a whole new era, and I think the Apple Watch has one of the brightest futures of all of Apple‘s products given where is leading ultimately. Features like EKG, fall detection, those are features that are actually useful, besides just being a notification device primarily. This is just the start of what is to come for the watch.

Yeah, the first gen was a trial run. Once Apple figured out what they want to focus on, ie. health, the Apple Watch gains important upgrades every iteration (S2 got waterproofing for swimmers, S3 got cellular for outdoor runners, S4 got EKG for even closer steps into a health care device).

Meanwhile, the Android Wears and Samsung Gears just keep spinning around without any clear intention of what their purpose is supposed to be.
Rating: 5 Votes

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