Fitbit Declines While Apple Watch Boosts Sales In Q4 2016
Vittorio HernandezThere was a significant change in the wearables market in the fourth quarter of 2016 as Fitbit suffered a contraction in shipment and reduced its market share. At the same time, Apple Watch gained and reported its best quarter ever.
Data from IDC showed that for Q4 2016, Apple shipped about 4.6 million Apple Watch units, up from 4.1 million for the same quarter in 2015. This resulted in Apple’s share in the wearable market having a 13.6 percent share of the market, down from 14.1 percent despite the hike in shipment.
Apple Reduces Gap With Fitbit
However, it managed to reduce the gap with market leader Fitbit which shipped 6.5 million units in Q4, down from 8.4 million. It resulted in Fitbit shrinking its market share to 19.2 percent from 29 percent MacRumors reports.
Making up the top 5 are Xiaomi in second place with a shipment of 5.2 million units (15.2 percent market share), Garmin in fourth place with 2.1 million shipment (6.2 percent), and Samsung 1.9 million (5.6 percent). Marketwatch notes that Fitbit suffered from “an abysmal holiday shopping season” that the company had to lay off 110 workers. However, global shipment of wearables actually grew, but the bonanza went to Xiaomi and Apple Watch which reported higher shipments.
Fitbit Assuages Investors
As a result, Fitbit reported a 19 percent decline in year-over-year revenue to $573.8 million which was short of forecast by analysts. The Q4 loss was a first time for Fitbit, but to placate worried investors, the smartwatch maker shared its plans to further boost business by using the assets of Pebbles which it purchased in 2016. Meanwhile, what helped Apple Watch improve was a change in marketing strategies.
Rather that position the Apple Watch as a fashion accessory, the Cupertino-based tech giant emphasizes the fitness capabilities of its smart timepieces. The company is also constantly updating the watchOS by releasing in late January watchOS 3.1.1.
© Copyright 2020 Mobile & Apps, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.most read
related stories
more stories from News
Spotify introduces HiFi as a $5 add-on to its Premium Plan, shifting away from a standalone subscription tier. This move follows a recent Premium price hike to $11.99 per month in the U.S., making the total cost for HiFi $16.99. The add-on includes AI-powered playlist creation tools and enhanced song library management. This strategy aims to offer high-quality audio affordably while staying competitive in the streaming market.
ernest hamiltonDiscover the Realme GT 6 launching on June 20, featuring the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC, a 5,500 mAh dual-cell battery with 120W SuperVOOC fast charging, and advanced gaming and camera capabilities.
ernest hamiltonDiscover how Apple's groundbreaking "Apple Intelligence" suite unveiled at WWDC 2024 is set to redefine user interactions with the iPhone, Mac, and beyond, promising seamless integration of advanced AI features while prioritizing user privacy and security.
ernest hamiltonApple is reportedly developing a foldable iPhone with a distinctive wrap-around design similar to the Huawei Mate Xs 2. Expected to launch in 2026, this innovative device could feature a single, continuous display, setting it apart from current foldable smartphones.
ernest hamiltonThe Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is set to feature the same 50MP main camera as the Galaxy S23 and S24, according to recent leaks. Learn more about its anticipated specifications and launch timeline.
ernest hamiltonApple announces that Siri will integrate ChatGPT in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, enhancing responses and content creation while prioritizing user privacy.
ernest hamiltonLeaks suggest Apple's iPhone 16 series could revolutionize smartphone design with a metal-cased battery, potentially addressing overheating concerns. Enhanced capacity promises extended battery life, setting new standards for performance and reliability
ernest hamiltonMeta has introduced Communities on Facebook Messenger, a new feature allowing users to create and manage dedicated communication spaces independently of Facebook Groups. This global rollout enhances real-time interactions with up to 5,000 members, leveraging Facebook profiles for seamless invitations.
ernest hamilton