The global wearable band market grew 5.6% year on year with 40.9 million units shipping in quarter two (Q2) of 2021, according to Canalys. And Apple continues to lead the global wristwatch market, commanding a sizable lead with a 31.1% market share in the quarter.
The tech giant sold 7.9 million Apple Watches in Q2. That’s up from 33.1% in Q2 2020 and annual growth of 29.4%. Still, Apple’s share of the worldwide wristband market dipped slightly from Q2 2020 when it had 33.1% share.
The decline of basic bands, which started in Q4 2020, has extended into Q2 2021, according to Canalys. Shipments fell 23.8% to 15.5 million units. However, the decline of basic bands is being offset by growth in wristwatches. Per Canalys, shipments of basic watches and smartwatches reached 25.4 million, up 37.9%. Wristwatches now account for 62% of global wearable band shipments.
Wristwatch shipments overtook those of basic bands for the first time in Q4 2020, and this trend has continued since then, with wristwatches accounting for over 60% of all wearable band shipments for three consecutive quarters to date. Canalys expects wristwatches to be the key growth driver for the wearable band category for years to come.
