According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global wearables shipments reached 22 million units in the first quarter of 2017 (Q1 2016). Apple captured 16% marketshare and became the world’s largest wearables vendor, overtaking Fitbit, thanks to the Apple Watch.
“Apple shipped 3.5 million wearables worldwide in Q1 2017, rising 59% annually from 2.2 million units in Q1 2016,” says Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics. “Apple captured 16 percent global marketshare and overtook Fitbit to become the world’s largest wearables vendor. The new Apple Watch Series 2 is selling relatively well in the U.S., UK and elsewhere, due to enhanced styling, intensive marketing and a good retail presence.”
Fitbit shipped 2.9 million wearables worldwide in Q1 2017, falling 36% annually from 4.5 million in Q1 2016. The company has lost its wearables leadership to Apple, due to slowing demand for its fitness bands and a late entry to the emerging smartwatch market, notes Strategy Analytics.
