Apple Watch Market Share Declined Over Summer as Rumors Swirled About Series 3 Models With LTE

Apple Watch was the world's most popular smartwatch by a significant margin last quarter, but its market share declined over the summer, according to data shared with MacRumors by research firm IDC.

apple watch trio
Whereas the Apple Watch represented just under half of all smartwatches shipped in the second quarter with 49.6 percent market share, the device had an estimated 41 percent market share in the third quarter. In other words, four out of every 10 smartwatches shipped last quarter were Apple Watches.

Apple Watch shipments totaled an estimated 2.7 million units in the July-September period, down from 3.4 million units in the prior quarter.

idc smartwatch shipments q3 2017

Worldwide smartwatch shipments in Q3 2017 via IDC. Units reflected in millions.

Apple Watch shipments were likely affected by seasonality, as the summer is traditionally a slower sales period for Apple. Also, some customers may have delayed their purchase given consistent rumors about Apple Watch Series 3 models with cellular capabilities launching in September, as did happen.

Samsung finished runner-up to the Apple Watch with an estimated 700,000 shipments, also down slightly from the prior quarter.

Garmin took third place with 600,000 shipments, unchanged from the prior quarter. Fossil and Continental Wireless, which makes kids smartwatches in China, tied for fourth place with shipments of 500,000 smartwatches respectively. All other smartwatch makers shipped 1.7 million units combined in the quarter.

IDC's data shared with MacRumors is based exclusively on smartwatches, which it defines as watches that can run third-party apps on the device itself.

In the broader wearables market, which includes many low-priced fitness trackers, IDC estimates the Apple Watch captured 10.3 percent market share last quarter. Fitbit and Chinese vendor Xiaomi tied for the lead in that category last quarter with an estimated 13.7 percent market share each.

Apple doesn't break out Apple Watch sales like it does with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Instead, it groups the wearable under its "Other Products" category, alongside Apple TV, AirPods, Beats, iPods, and other accessories.

On a conference call early this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook did reveal that Apple Watch sales were up 50 percent in the quarter year over year. Apple reported revenue of $3.2 billion from its "Other Products" category, up 36 percent year over year.

Moving on now to Apple Watch, with unit growth of over 50 percent for the third consecutive quarter, it continues to be the best selling and most loved smartwatch in the world. We began shipping Apple Watch Series 3 just six weeks ago, and customers love the new freedom of cellular. The ability to go for a run with just your Apple Watch, or go for a quick errand without your phone, while staying connected, is a game changer. Now more than ever, Apple Watch is the ultimate device for healthy life, and is already making a big difference in our customers' lives.

Apple today announced that Apple Watch users in the United States can participate in a heart study aimed at identifying irregular heart rhythms.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Tag: IDC
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

dannyyankou Avatar
97 months ago
I think it’s safe to say now the AW was a flop. Tim Cook has yet to create a new “category” that can rival the iPhone or iPad. I miss Steve.
What? The article is saying that Apple Watch sales slowed down because people were holding out for the series 3 model. How does that indicate a flop? Apple Watch series 3 will probably bring the marketshare back up.

It's still at 41% by the way.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Naraxus Avatar
97 months ago
This is the same thing that happens with iPhones every year - sales dip a bit by people waiting for the newest one. Not sur why this is news.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
97 months ago
Even if the Apple Watch market share declined over the summer as the article indicated, it's still the best selling smart watch in the world and With the release of Series 3 in September, its expanded with LTE and will continue to grow with more health advancements. Apple owns the wearable market currently.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gregmac19 Avatar
97 months ago
“Also, some customers may have delayed their purchase given consistent rumors about Apple Watch Series 3 models with cellular capabilities launching in September, as did happen.”


Some people were waiting for cellular capabilities, but I was waiting for a watch with a big red dot.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
paul4339 Avatar
97 months ago


... and she actually admitted I had a great idea.

Now, this feature alone makes me want to get an Apple Watch for my spouse too...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HoosBruce Avatar
97 months ago
I think it’s safe to say now the AW was a flop. Tim Cook has yet to create a new “category” that can rival the iPhone or iPad. I miss Steve.
:lol wow go away. I know you’re not being serious, but still...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)