Smartwatch gross sales tumble, dragged down by Apple

World smartwatch gross sales slid 51.6 % within the third quarter, amid a steep decline for the Apple Watch forward of its up to date system, a market tracker stated Monday.

The IDC survey stated complete smartwatch volumes had been 2.7 million models, lower than half the extent of a yr earlier. Apple, the most important smartwatch vendor, noticed its gross sales down 71.6 %.

However IDC analyst Ramon Llamas stated the decline shouldn’t be as ominous because it seems—as a result of many customers had been ready for the brand new model of the Apple Watch and upcoming Android units.

“The sharp decline in smartwatch cargo volumes displays the way in which platforms and distributors are realigning,” Llamas stated.

“Apple revealed a brand new feel and look to watches that didn’t arrive till the launch of the second technology watch on the finish of September.”

Llamas added that Google’s choice to carry again the Android Put on 2.0 working system has additionally restricted gross sales.

“Samsung’s Gear S3, introduced at (the commerce present) IFA in September, has but to be launched. Collectively, this left distributors counting on older, getting older units to fulfill prospects.”

Nonetheless, the market is exhibiting restricted progress, in response to IDC.

“It has additionally turn into evident that at current smartwatches are usually not for everybody,” stated IDC analyst Jitesh Ubrani.

“Having a transparent goal and use case is paramount, therefore many distributors are specializing in health attributable to its simplicity.”

Regardless of its sharp gross sales drop, Apple maintained the highest place with an estimated 1.1 million models offered and a 41 % market share, in response to IDC. Apple doesn’t launch gross sales figures for its smartwatch.

Garmin was the quantity two model with gross sales of 600,000 and a 20.5 % market share, adopted by Samsung with 400,000 and a 14.4 % share, in response to IDC.

© 2016 AFP