Apple Held Top Spot in Global Smartwatch Market in Q4 2020, Shipping 13 Million Apple Watch Series 6 and SE Models

[MacRumors]

According to market data from Counterpoint Research, Apple shipped 12.9 million models of the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The market saw an overall decline in smartwatch shipments compared to last year due to the ongoing global health crisis. Apple, however, saw a 19% increase in shipments YoY. Apple was the single largest smartwatch maker in Q4 of 2019 when it controlled 34% of the market. In the final quarter of last year, Apple Watch models accounted for 40% of the market share.

Apple's market share consolidation can be attributed to the new Apple Watch SE's success, the mid-range Apple Watch option. Apple released the SE model alongside its flagship Series 6 at a lower $279 price point, with some caveats such as the lack of an always-on display, ECG functionality, and the faster S6 processor.

Counterpoint senior analyst Sujeong Lim says that the new mid-range Apple Watch SE will likely push Samsung and other smartwatch makers to create similar, mid-range options for customers looking for cheaper alternatives to main flagships.

Article Link: Apple Held Top Spot in Global Smartwatch Market in Q4 2020, Shipping 13 Million Apple Watch Series 6 and SE Models

 

[Arbuthnott]

“Second largest” after “Others”??? How about an edit to correct this. “Others” is only a grab-bag of all the other unidentified manufacturers - Apple was the largest by a huge margin.

 

[ghanwani]

.

 

[LFC2020]

Apple's sudden overtaking of the market can be attributed to the new Apple Watch SE's success, the mid-range Apple Watch option. Apple released the SE model alongside its flagship Series 6 at a lower $279 price point, with some caveats such as the lack of an always-on display, ECG functionality, and the faster S6 processor.

The rest of the tech industry could be in some serious trouble if apple keep releasing these mid range products with flagship processors.

Should've entered the midrange market ages ago.

 

[timmyh]

“Second largest” after “Others”??? How about an edit to correct this. “Others” is only a grab-bag of all the other unidentified manufacturers - Apple was the largest by a huge margin.

This has been corrected. Thanks.

 

[timmyh]

Apple's sudden overtaking of the market can be attributed to the new Apple Watch SE's success, the mid-range Apple Watch option. Apple released the SE model alongside its flagship Series 6 at a lower $279 price point, with some caveats such as the lack of an always-on display, ECG functionality, and the faster S6 processor.

The rest of the tech industry could be in some serious trouble if apple keep releasing these mid range products with flagship processors.

Should've entered the midrange market ages ago.

This has been reworded to reflect the fact that Apple actually consolidated its position as top smartwatch maker. Apologies for the confusion.

 

[Juicy Box]

I purchased a AW S3 about a year ago.

While I have never been a watch person, I was surprised at how quickly I got used to using the AW. I now feel kind of naked when I am not wearing it.

One thing I hate about the AW, is the handling of SW updates and the small storage size. I cannot update the OS due to not having enough free space. I tried deleting everything that was optional to delete, and I still couldn't free up enough space to do the update.

It appears that if I unpair and reset the watch, I can do the update, but this is a pretty crappy way of handling SW updates.

Overall, I am happy with it, but the SW update issues are quite annoying.

 

[LFC2020]

While I have never been a watch person, I was surprised at how quickly I got used to using the AW. I now feel kind of naked when I am not wearing it.

Same here, love getting my notifications on it, phone stays on silent mode 24/7.

 

[the future]

Glad to see that in Q4 2020, the overall market expanded to 102% ... ?

 

[akashagrawal]

Anyone else notice that the percentages in the right side pie equates to more than 100%? Top notch Sherlock stuff going on with this data ???

 

[bobob]

This is the forum thread on the day the Apple Watch was first announced in September 2014.

Here's a couple of examples of the characteristic MacRumors' forum optimism about new Apple products:

One miniaturisation too far. A white elephant. Look for them in eBay in a year. Do you want to be "That Knob With The Apple Watch Over There?"
And by 'Knob' we aren't referring to The Digital Crown here, readers.

Save yer cash folks

The latest douchebag / nerd status symbol.

 

[steve09090]

While I have never been a watch person, I was surprised at how quickly I got used to using the AW. I now feel kind of naked when I am not wearing it.

I’ve never quite had a watch tan line as I have now after 3 years!

 

[Abazigal]

Apple's sudden overtaking of the market can be attributed to the new Apple Watch SE's success, the mid-range Apple Watch option. Apple released the SE model alongside its flagship Series 6 at a lower $279 price point, with some caveats such as the lack of an always-on display, ECG functionality, and the faster S6 processor.

The rest of the tech industry could be in some serious trouble if apple keep releasing these mid range products with flagship processors.

Should've entered the midrange market ages ago.

It’s probably only now that Apple can manufacture the SE watch and phone at lower prices.

Of course Apple would like more market share, but they are not going to give up their margins for it.

 

[Captain Trips]

The rest of the tech industry could be in some serious trouble if apple keep releasing these mid range products with flagship processors.

Should've entered the midrange market ages ago.

Yes, kind of like recent releases of:

• The MacBook Air, Mac mini and entry-level MacBook Pro with the M1 chips.
• iPhone SE 2020

Sure, they are not budget priced, but you if you want one of these products but don't want to buy the pricy models then the midrange offerings are great.

And although I bought an Apple Watch 6, I was originally leaning towards the Apple Watch SE - I might not even have contemplated getting an AW without the SE model's pricing to get me interested in the first place.

 

[Captain Trips]

While I have never been a watch person, I was surprised at how quickly I got used to using the AW. I now feel kind of naked when I am not wearing it.

Same here. In fact, I had basically stopped wearing a watch since I started working from home a year ago, and before that I only wore a watch at work. I bought an AW6 a month ago, and I wear it all the time unless it is charging or I am taking a shower after a workout.

One thing I hate about the AW, is the handling of SW updates and the small storage size. I cannot update the OS due to not having enough free space. I tried deleting everything that was optional to delete, and I still couldn't free up enough space to do the update.

Oh yeah, 8 GB sounds like a lot for a watch (until you start using it and finding all the things you want to do that take up space), but you aren't the only person having troubles with WatchOS upgrades due to limited storage space available. I am glad I only looked at the AW SE and AW6 (due to the faster processors).

 

[rp2011]

From a consumer point of view, there is no better smart watch period. And it’s affordable.
Now imagine what the market share would look like if it was compatible with Android.

 

[jlocker]

I still have my Apple Watch 0 and it is still running with the original battery. What a product it has been. I need to upgrade. Most likely this Christmas.

 

[TTTedP]

What companies are in ‘Other’? Like Garmin? And who is BBK?

 

[FightTheFuture]

Now imagine what the market share would look like if it was compatible with Android.

It should be compatible.

Health awareness > iPhone lock-in

don’t see why Apple doesn’t see it that way

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

That’s a lot of Apple Watches right now, just wait till Apple Watch Series 7 is released. There’s going to be more than that.

 

[BeefCake 15]

Didn't realize Garmin is an "other" now, thought they were doing better than that....AW will take off after they decouple them from the phone dependency.

 

[Red Oak]

Total Apple Watch sales for the quarter were 17-18 million. So, Series 3 accounted for about 4 million units

 

[TTTedP]

Didn't realize Garmin is an "other" now, thought they were doing better than that....AW will take off after they decouple them from the phone dependency.

Yeah that’s why I’d like to see the details of that category. Garmin could be the majority of “other” in which case they’re very competitive. Do they have larger market share than Fitbit, Samsung?

 

[coolfactor]

I couldn't imagine going back to a regular watch. Being able to take phone calls on my wrist is my favourite feature!

 

[Acronyc]

I got my first Apple Watch - the SE - last October. I came from a Garmin as I wasn't running as much as I used to (my ultra marathon days are behind me) and I figured I would give the AW a try.

After 5 months of use I can say it is awesome. I always liked the minimal smartwatch features of my Garmin, but the AW has so many great features that it kills the Garmin in the smartwatch area. I use my iPhone a lot less, which is nice.

In terms of Fitness, I've done a lot of comparisons with my Garmin and recently ran a half marathon with both my AW SE and Vivoactive 3 and the end results were almost identical. Heart rate and cadence were the same, while the AW recorded about 500 meters more distance than the Garmin did over 22km. This affected the pace a bit, but nothing major.

The biggest reason I wanted to try an AW was the cellular connection. It is so awesome to go on runs and not have to take my iPhone 11. I love my iPhone, but it's big and bulky and not nice to run with. With my AW I have access to my phone, maps, music, wallet, and everything else I need.

If Garmin ever came out with a watch with a cellular connection and upped their game in smartwatch features I might go back, but for now I'm very happy with the AW SE.

The only things I don't like are the battery life and the design (I still like round watches better). Otherwise I think the AW is enough for anyone unless you are a really hardcore athlete, where a Garmin/Coros/Sunto might give you some more metrics and of course battery life.