Nearly Half of All Smartwatches Shipped Last Quarter Were Apple Watches

[Rob_2811]

You know it's bad when Fossil makes up 5% of the market.

Yep.

People don't seem to pay attention to Apple's financial reports. Record income, soon to be the first trillion dollar company. "Aging flagship" products?? I assume you mean the iPhone, which is predicted to sell at a record level, again, as nearly a quarter billion people around the planet buy one in the next twelve months. Nobody knows how many watches are being sold, they are just WAG's from the analysts, but we do know that Apple has taken over the market in just two years, and according to TC, they are continuing to have large increases in sales.For some reason, people feel that the watch was meant to be a replacement for the profits of the iPhone which doomsayers believe to be in danger of plummeting despite the likely record sales again. No, the Apple Watch is just another growing profit center that brings in money while increasing the value of the overall Apple ecosystem. Just like iCloud, Apple Music, AirPods, and soon the Homepod.

Not sure how much attention you pay to Apples financial statements either honestly or how you've reached some of the conclusions you've jumped to on the back of them. You've got absolutely no idea if iCloud or Apple Music are profitable or not let alone if its a "growing profit center". Nor have you any idea if the Watch profits are growing.

Their "services" revenue is growing thats all you know for certain but id bet any money you like that the vast majority of that is coming from App Store commission obviously Apple is never going to share the breakdown (they never do unless its something worth crowing about) but it wouldn't surprise if it was several times more than Airpods, Apple Music and iCloud bring in combined. The Watch continues to be lumped in with "other" which tells you all you need to know.

 

[kdarling]

BUT PEOPLE ONLY WANTS ROUND WATCHES! /s

Nobody's ever said that. What has been said, is that many people DO want a round watch as a choice.

A second point to a different post I read above, analog watches come in many shapes and sizes. Cartier, Patek Philippe and others have made non-round watches varying in different shapes and sizes for years.

Yep. However, round watches still outsell rectangular by about 8 to 1.

A lot of us suspect that something similar would happen if Apple also offered a round choice.

Those who prefer rectangular could still get one of course.

The round design of watches was driven by their analog faces and the path taken by their hands, which was the mechanism they could make at the time (small enough and accurate enough).

Actually, the first clocks were in rectangular towers, and the first personal clocks were often in boxes.

Round came about partly from pocketwatches designed to easily move in and out of pockets, and from military needs for the strongest crystal shape.

It also doesn't hurt that rotating bezels only work on round

Digital technology and screens make that unnecessary. Now, a round face on a smart watch is a nod to fashion and familiarity, not something necessitated by the available technology.

The first smartwatches were rectangular because that was the only screen type available.

Later technology and screens make that unnecessary. Now, a round face on a smart watch is a nod to fashion and high tech, not something necessitated by previously limited display technology.

The Apple Watch looks like a watch, because it is one. It looks different than an analog watch, but that doesn't make it any less of a watch.

Analog watches come in all shapes. Now so do digital. Doesn't make them any less of a smartwatch. Just makes them a more fashionable smartwatch to many people.

 

[The_Machine]

I look at mine 10 times more then my iPhone, notifications go to my watch. In fact my iPhone stays in my pocket unless I need a picture or respond at length. I even take selfies or group tripod pictures using my watch as the screen. Rather then connect to the car for my iPhone calls, just use the watch. The workout and activity Monitor are heavily used, as is the health app using the data from the watch. Second only to my iPhone, the watch, a useful device.

That's excellent and I'm glad you find yours so useful. The thing to keep in mind when having these discussions is the difference between people passionate about technology and your average joe on the street. As you hang out and post on the MacRumors forum in guessing you are pretty into tech and Apple products. So it makes sense you dive deep into the smart features on your Apple Watch.

When I'm out and see random people with their own Apple Watches and fail to observe many actually ever engaging the devices it's an observation of the average joe. Not people like us posting on these types of forums.

 

[OllyW]

From a sales standpoint, I think Apple will eventually need to change the design in some way to get more repeat business. A round watch or thinner..etc. I might update if a new watch simply had a way to keep the clock face on all the time, but short of that, I am still happy with my Original Watch.

I've been beating that drum since the day it was released. A single design was great for launching the Watch but I'm sure they will eventually branch out with more designs.

 

[xitongzou]

BUT PEOPLE ONLY WANTS ROUND WATCHES! /s

If Apple Watch was round, it wouldn't make a difference. The reason is because its Apple not because of its form factor. I actually hate that Apple made everyone carry the same phones and watches. I remember back in the mid 2000s people actually carried DIFFERENT phones and every phone was unique. There were sliders, flips, candybars, rotating etc. Now not only is every single phone a boring black slab, people are carrying the identical phone models too! All because of iPhone. Now almost everyone carries either a Samsung Galaxy S8 or iPhone 7. Its a boring culture of conformity.

 

[Uofmtiger]

Yep. However, round watches still outsell rectangular by about 8 to 1.

A lot of us suspect that something similar would happen if Apple also offered a round choice.

Those who prefer rectangular could still get one of course.

Round watches are more conventional, no doubt about that. However, Cartier has done very well being unconventional with their tank watches. Anyway, my point was that Apple did not invent non-round watches and it still looks like a watch as much as the Patek and Cartier watches I mentioned above.

Personally, I would strongly consider a round Apple Watch. It would give me some variety alongside my Orignal Apple Watch from day to day without losing all the Apple Watch features I have grown accustomed to.

 

[kdarling]

Round watches are more conventional, no doubt about that.

Of course, with smartwatches, it's been the opposite -- rectangular has been the conventional shape for decades because of display shape limitations.

That's why round smartwatch displays are still seen as rarer, newer, more exotic tech.

(I bought one of the first available Apple Watches and expected my daughter to attract all the public attention with it. But everywhere we went, even to Apple Stores, people were more interested in seeing my always-on round smartwatch. Her raise-to-wake rectangular AW was old tech in comparison.)

Now, I own both shapes and either one is fine. But boy, I think without other shapes / case styles, that Apple has so far missed a chance to sell many more.

Not to mention their ridiculous lack of a watchface store.

Cheers!

 

[Abazigal]

You don't have an Apple tattoo do you?

Viva la Apple!!!

 

[santaliqueur]

That's why I bought a Garmin being a runner myself. Five physical buttons, a display that stays always on, and a battery that lasts a week even using the GPS daily.

The Apple Watch is obviously better at being a smartwatch and having hundreds of apps but as a sports watch it's a joke compared to Garmin's watches. It's all about what you need.

I guess I don't really need a running watch, I just need a decent way to control my music while running, and the Apple Watch is not it. Although I want to continue to get fast, I'm not a serious runner. Striving for negative splits is about as far as I go. Maybe I will watch a YouTube video about the Garmin watches to see if there's something there for me.
[doublepost=1504330382][/doublepost]

Every time I go for a run I take my Apple Watch. However, swimming is where the AW really excels. Are you running in the rain a lot? I've never had that issue while running.

I don't run in the rain much, but here's how much I sweat: Take your hand and submerge it underwater. Shake it once to get the drips off, and that's how much I sweat. My entire body is completely wet after running 3 miles. I realize the problem is likely due to my sweating, but I'm certainly not the only one who sweats this much. Apple's Apple Watch advertising is heavily focused on fitness. People sweat a lot during workouts. Dip your hand in water and try to use the screen, you cannot do it. They have hardware buttons they don't utilize during workouts. This is nonsensical behavior to me.

 

[Uofmtiger]

Of course, with smartwatches, it's been the opposite -- rectangular has been the conventional shape for decades because of display shape limitations.

That's why round smartwatch displays are still seen as rarer, newer, more exotic tech.

(I bought one of the first available Apple Watches and expected my daughter to attract all the public attention with it. But everywhere we went, even to Apple Stores, people were more interested in seeing my always-on round smartwatch. Her raise-to-wake rectangular AW was old tech in comparison.)

Now, I own both shapes and either one is fine. But boy, I think without other shapes / case styles, that Apple has so far missed a chance to sell many more.

Not to mention their ridiculous lack of a watchface store.

Cheers!

I agree with your point that Apple needs different designs and an always on feature. I have an Android Hybrid that has some smart features but it looks so conventional that no one has ever commented on it. The Apple Watch is more distinctive.

For me, it comes down to the fact that I use iOS and it works with my iPhone. If I hadn’t got the Android Hybrid for review purposes, I wouldn’t own it.

 

[Ubuntu]

I remember a constant onslaught of Apple Watch imminent failure predictions when it first launched. Shouldn't people know better by now?

But do you also remember how Apple had to pivot the product? I love my Apple Watch (I've had it since day one!) but I don't think it would be anywhere near as popular if it continued on the "I'm a mini iPhone!" route it started on, especially with the push for the use of apps. People didn't know that Apple would then focus on the core essentials (health, notifications etc) so I think it was reasonable for people to be so skeptical.

 

[deckard666]

I agree with your point that Apple needs different designs and an always on feature. I have an Android Hybrid that has some smart features but it looks so conventional that no one has ever commented on it. The Apple Watch is more distinctive.

For me, it comes down to the fact that I use iOS and it works with my iPhone. If I hadn’t got the Android Hybrid for review purposes, I wouldn’t own it.

I think consumers have voted with their feet mate as if this was such an issue why would sales and consumer satisfaction be through the roof ? I know 12 people with an AW and not one has ever mentioned either of those two issues you raise - the only one I ever hear is - improve the battery.

 

[Uofmtiger]

I think consumers have voted with their feet mate as if this was such an issue why would sales and consumer satisfaction be through the roof ? I know 12 people with an AW and not one has ever mentioned either of those two issues you raise - the only one I ever hear is - improve the battery.

Have you done a poll of these 12 people to ask them what features they would want to see in a new Apple Watch? I own an Apple Watch and I have never discussed what features I would like to see added with my friends. Battery life is something people are more likely to complain about, especially before some of the OS updates, but it doesn’t mean it is the only thing they would like to see added.

As far as “consumers voted with their feet”... that doesn’t mean they don’t think a round face option (as one example of a different design), or an App Store that had different Watch faces available, or a watch that actually showed you the time without moving your arm, etc. would be nice. People will buy products, even when the product isn’t perfect. It is why companies are able to come out with the greatest version of a product every year. My iPhone 3GS was the best phone I had ever used, but somehow they made it better with a different design...even when people were already “voting with their feet” on the current design.

While I am sure your friends like walking around with a blank black box on their arms, I am sure a lot of people outside your group of mates would rather have (at least) the time always on if they had the option. I have an Apple Watch and I think it can be improved. I am pretty sure Apple thinks it can be improved as well.

 

[deckard666]

Yeah I'm sure the 100000 strong focus group Apple are using have definitely said that which is why in two generations and countless software updates neither of the things you want has happened...and won't happen...if you want always on and a round face buy a different watch.

 

[Mac 128]

Yeah I'm sure the 100000 strong focus group Apple are using have definitely said that which is why in two generations and countless software updates neither of the things you want has happened...and won't happen...if you want always on and a round face buy a different watch.

Apple has consistently stated they don't use focus groups. Do you have evidence of the contrary?

 

[Uofmtiger]

Yeah I'm sure the 100000 strong focus group Apple are using have definitely said that which is why in two generations and countless software updates neither of the things you want has happened...and won't happen...if you want always on and a round face buy a different watch.

How many generations before they added the Pencil to the iPad and produced a large iPhone? Don’t try to read the future based on two generations, mate.

 

[deckard666]

Apple has consistently stated they don't use focus groups. Do you have evidence of the contrary?

No I was being sarcastic as the commenter was talking about effectively me not having a large enough focus group with my 12 mates ! Just seems odd to me to buy a watch that isn't always on or round then say that it should be. I wouldn't buy any product in the hope that a software update will fix a problem I perceive with that product. Adding a pencil or making something larger is NOT the same as completely redefining the look of your product which is currently ruling that market. We will agree to disagree I feel but then I do remember the original Apple Watch "deniers" on here berating the form....don't seem to be so many of those around anymore but hard to argue with success I suppose. Going back to the original headline do Apple get a much higher "attach" rate with iPhones and Apple watches than android do with their phones and watches ?

 

[kdarling]

Just seems odd to me to buy a watch that isn't always on or round then say that it should be.

People have always bought products even while often wishing they had more features. It comes down to weighing multiple factors.

Adding a pencil or making something larger is NOT the same as completely redefining the look of your product which is currently ruling that market.

The Apple Watch only rules its own closed market. Nobody has (or is allowed by Apple) any other equally integrated choice.

Claiming then that current sales indicate complete satisfaction with the design, is as nonsensical as when people claimed that 4" must be the perfect size because people continued to buy iPhones. Then people actually got a choice and bigger iPhones sold like crazy.

Likewise, it's a darned good bet that if/when Apple makes more shapes and adds more desired features, Watch sales will increase. This is simple common sense and historical fact.

 

[deckard666]

So an android watch and android phone is not another integrated choice the market could choose ?

 

[kdarling]

So an android watch and android phone is not another integrated choice the market could choose ?

Market? We're talking about invested iPhone owners. They're not going to operate under a redneck "Love it or leave the entire iOS ecosystem" plan. They will put up with a lot instead.

For example, a lot of people are really not happy about losing the headphone jack. Others might not love the size choices. But most all will still buy another iPhone, because they like iOS and have no other iOS choice.

Likewise, they have no other iOS choice when it comes to a fully integrated watch, but they're not going to give up their iPhone simply because they want a different watch look. Instead they will either buy the Apple Watch or hold out.

The upshot is, it's clear as the nose on anyone's face, that if Apple offered more shapes or case styles, sales would increase. Watches, as Apple itself touted with its case materials and bands, are as much a fashion accessory as a technical one.

 

[OllyW]

Market? We're talking about invested iPhone owners. They're not going to operate under a redneck "Love it or leave the entire iOS ecosystem" plan. They will put up with a lot instead.

For example, a lot of people are really not happy about losing the headphone jack. Others might not love the size choices. But most all will still buy another iPhone, because they like iOS and have no other iOS choice.

Likewise, they have no other iOS choice when it comes to a fully integrated watch, but they're not going to give up their iPhone simply because they want a different watch look. Instead they will either buy the Apple Watch or hold out.

The upshot is, it's clear as the nose on anyone's face, that if Apple offered more shapes or case styles, sales would increase. Watches, as Apple itself touted with its case materials and bands, are as much a fashion accessory as a technical one.

Totally agree. I prefer watches with round cases but own a rectangular Apple Watch because it is the only option on offer. Given the choice, I'd always opt for a round cased option.

 

[kdarling]

Totally agree. I prefer watches with round cases but own a rectangular Apple Watch because it is the only option on offer. Given the choice, I'd always opt for a round cased option.

And it doesn't even have to have a round display to attract more sales.

The current bland pillbox case shape simply doesn't appeal to everyone. The same rectangular electronic guts could be put into multiple other case styles, in order to attract those who want a little more individuality than just colors and bands provide.

For example, articles often ridiculously compare the current case to a Cartier Tank or Santos. Ha ha, no, except for being vaguely rectangular, not even close. But something actually like them could be done.

It'd be a really inexpensive way for Apple to increase sales. And even charge more. Plus make more people happy. Win win.

 

[bruised_apple]

I wear a Samsung Gear S3, personally, as it actually looks like a watch. I just hate the look of the Apple Watch. :/

Kinda like saying I only want a landline telephone as I am used to the black phenolic POT that I like.

 

[kdarling]

Kinda like saying I only want a landline telephone as I am used to the black phenolic POT that I like.

More like someone saying they'd rather have digital eyewear that actually looks like classic sunglasses, not some piece of low tech gear.

The old style default blank square display of the Apple Watch is more like your old black phenolic phone example.

 

[I7guy]

And it doesn't even have to have a round display to attract more sales.

The current bland pillbox case shape simply doesn't appeal to everyone. The same rectangular electronic guts could be put into multiple other case styles, in order to attract those who want a little more individuality than just colors and bands provide.

For example, articles often ridiculously compare the current case to a Cartier Tank or Santos. Ha ha, no, except for being vaguely rectangular, not even close. But something actually like them could be done.

It'd be a really inexpensive way for Apple to increase sales. And even charge more. Plus make more people happy. Win win.

I would still buy the rectangular watch shape even if apple did offer a round watch form factor. They probably want the watch to match the phone in terms of form factor. Should apple offer a circular form factor watch I can only imagine the iphone shape that would go with it.