Counterpoint: Smartwatch shipments increased 35% year-on-year in Q1 2021, with Apple continuing to lead

According to the latest report released by Counterpoint Research, global smartwatch shipments increased by 35% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2021. Among them, Apple continued to maintain its leading position. Due to the increased demand for Apple Watch Series 6, its overall Apple Watch product line increased by 50% year-on-year. The company's market share this quarter also increased by 3 percentage points from the same period last year to 33.5%.

On the other hand, Apple's global rival Samsung saw its shipments grow by 27% year-on-year. Senior analyst Sujeong Lim commented that Apple Watch took up one-third of the market, not only due to the Apple Watch Series 6, but also the Apple Watch SE.

He said:

Apple will be able to further solidify its leadership in the market by broadening its product portfolio from the Watch SE to the Series 6 in due course. Hopefully, Google's new Wear OS platform will ship in the next-generation Galaxy Watch series in late fall. This will be good for the companies involved.

In addition to improving performance in areas such as battery, the key to smart watches lies in artificial intelligence, rich applications and services, and interactive integration with Android phones. Samsung will also be able to better target a wider range of Android smartphone users. With the completion of the acquisition of Fitbit, Google should be able to enhance the Wear platform through the integration of "fitness" features and services.

From cnbeta