Global smartwatch shipments jump 35% YoY in Q1 2021: Counterpoint

According to the report, Apple recorded a strong 50% annual growth, capturing a third of the smartwatch market in terms of volumes.

The Apple Watch has reportedly saved a newborn's life while on a flight to Hawaii.  (Unsplash)

Global smartwatch shipments in the first quarter of 2021 rose 35% year-over-year, according to Counterpoint's latest Global Smartwatch Model Tracker.

According to the report, Apple continued to lead the smartwatch space as it recorded a 50% YoY increase in demand for the new Series 6 models. Apple's market share grew by 3% points.

Samsung, too, saw shipments increase at 27% YoY. Its Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active series drove the demand. Samsung's market share, however, was below the market average and suffered a dip in the market share, added the report.

Huawei has continued to lose market share after reporting a strong quarter one year ago.

Counterpoint Research Global Smartwatch Tracker, Q1 2021 (Counterpoint )

Counterpoint Research Global Smartwatch Tracker, Q1 2021 (Counterpoint )

In terms of smartwatch OS platforms, Apple WatchOS had grabbed more than a third of the market thanks to the popularity of iPhone users.

Google's Wear OS is yet to match the same level of success. Counterpoint also noted that Google's lower market share was also because major smartwatch brands offer their propriety OSes, such as Tizen, Garmin OS, and Fitbit OS. Researchers also noted that Wear OS is behind the competitors in terms of features, chipset support, and battery optimisation. The company enjoys a mere 4% share in the global smartwatch market.

Counterpoint Research Global Smartwatch Tracker, Q1 2021 (Counterpoint )

Counterpoint Research Global Smartwatch Tracker, Q1 2021 (Counterpoint )

It, however, may change in the future owing to the recent Google-Samsung partnership announced at the Google I/O last week. Google will integrate Tizen OS with Google Wear OS as it looks to tap the massive Android user base.

Counterpoint Senior Analyst Sujeong Lim said, “Hopefully, Google's new Wear platform will be shipping in the next generation of the Galaxy Watch series in late Fall. It will be good for the companies involved. The focus would be to not only improve performance, such as battery life, but also improve on the AI, newer apps and services, and integration with Android smartphones. Samsung will also be able to better target the broader Android smartphone user base. With the completion of the acquisition of Fitbit, Google should be able to enhance the Wear platform with ‘fitness' capabilities and services integration, moving forward.”