While Apple was still on top of the American and European smartwatch markets in the July quarter, the company saw its grip weaken slightly as people waited for a second-generation Apple Watch, according to a research report published this week.
Apple managed a 33.5 percent share in the U.S., said Kantar Worldpanel, without identifying the extent of the Watch's decline. The trend was said to be similar in the big four European markets -- France, Germany, Great Britain, and Italy -- but giving Apple a smaller 31.8 percent share.
The Series 2 -- which launched Sept. 16 -- could help Apple out, Kantar said. The device addressed two of the key features people consider when buying a wearable, namely GPS and waterproofing.
The latter is claimed to be the most desired feature, presumably because it not only opens up new activities but lets people keep the device on when taking a bath or shower, and avoid any damage from rain or accidental submersion.
Apple is also expected to receive some help from the Series 1, an upgrade of the original Watch with a faster processor. At $269, it could allay some worries about cost, which Kantar indicated is the public's "overall" concern when it comes to buying wearables.