IDC report also reveals that Apple Watch is top selling smartwatch
Fitbit is still dominating proceedings as the leading wearable device vendor leaving Apple, Samsung and the rest behind.
That’s according to the latest figures from research firm IDC who revealed that the fitness tracker maker is still out on top with Xiaomi, Apple, Garmin and Samsung making up the top five companies. The Korean company is actually tied with Chinese company BBK for fifth spot.
Essential reading: How to buy a fitness tracker
Fitbit revealed strong sales figures in its first-quarter earnings call earlier this month announcing that it recorded $505.4 million in revenue during that period. An impressive 4.8 million devices were sold with the Fitbit Blaze and the Fitbit Alta responsible for 47% of the quarter’s revenue.
Essential reading: Which Fitbit tracker should you buy?
While some might be surprised to hear that the Apple Watch hasn’t cemented the Cupertino company in second place, Xiaomi’s budget fitness trackers like the Xiaomi Mi Band Pulse have clearly proved popular. The Chinese outfit has already officially unveiled the Mi Band 2 with a Mi smartwatch to follow later this year.
Garmin has been busy on the wearable front over recent months as well adding new devices to its running, golf, smartwatch and fitness tracking lines including the stylish Vivomove tracker and the Garmin Approach X40 golf band. The company recently reported profits in its most recent earnings report suggesting its holding its own against the likes of Fitbit and Apple.
Wearables are still on the rise
IDC also revealed that total shipments of wearable devices increased 67 percent pushing units up to an impressive 19.7 million. That’s apparently up on the 11.8 million units for the same quarter in 2015.
It’s not all bad news for Apple though. When sales were split into smart and basic wearables, Apple is out on top above Samsung and Motorola. Over in the basics wearable category, it’s Fitbit, Xiaomi and Garmin taking the 1,2 and 3 positions. XTC, a Chinese smartwatch company, sits in fourth spot while fellow Chinese company Lifesense sits in fifth. The Guangzhou-based company recently unveiled mambo watch, its first smartwatch.
The firm believes that wearable tech is healthy and that the growth is as a result of price reductions over the holiday period and the introduction of new wearable tech, particularly in the smart clothing and shoe departments.
Source: BusinessWire
