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.

37 Comments

sergioz 338 comments · 12 Years

About 7 years ago

I think Apple needs to create a simple version for kids! I bet if it was $99 most parents would buy it.

MacPro 19838 comments · 18 Years

sog35 said:

This is total Bullshit.

The leader in wearables is Acme Rubber bands.

Comparing the AppleWatch with an average selling price of $300 to $10 junk is ridiculous.

I give in, what are the Acme Rubber bands worn for? ;)

mike1 3432 comments · 10 Years

"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."

That's like complaining more VW Golf's are sold than Mercedes E-class. Apples and oranges.

MacPro said:

sog35 said:

This is total Bullshit.

The leader in wearables is Acme Rubber bands.

Comparing the AppleWatch with an average selling price of $300 to $10 junk is ridiculous.

I give in, what are the Acme Rubber bands worn for? ;)

I think it's those colored bands people wear on their wrists to support their cause of the day.

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

sog35 said:

sergioz said:

I think Apple needs to create a simple version for kids! I bet if it was $99 most parents would buy it.

Apple doesn't sell junk like Xiaomi and Fitbit.

To make a quality $99 wearable it will only have a monochrome lcd screen. which is dung.

While I agree with you that Apple doesn't sell junk, the thing about a monochrome lcd screen being dung is incorrect. It actually works better for sports watches like Garmins because it is more visible in sunlight while burning less power that the beautiful AW display. The display of the AW is a bit of compromise -- it works best for the mundane, day to day functions of the watch while being "good enough" as an exercise monitor. But, most high end athletes go with Garmin or the like.