- New research said that the global shipments in smartwatch decreased in 2024
- The drop of 7% compared to 2023 would mark the first time that the market has shrunk
- It is said that the launch and the missing iterative series of Apple Watch Ultra 3 could be partly to blame
A new set of figures on the global smartwatch market says that the sector has decreased in 2024 in annual shift, the first time the market has decreased.
Counterpoint Research figures indicate that global shipping of smart watches dropped in 2024 7% compared to 2023.
While Samsung and Huawei appreciated a reported growth (35% for the latter if the figures are correct), Apple has seen shipments of its best Apple watches drop by some 19% in annual shift, enough to reduce the market as a whole.
Apple leads to seismic change because it constitutes a large part of the market. Counterpoint estimates that 25% of smart watches shipped in 2023 were Apple watches, this share being reduced to 22% last year.
The reason? Counterpoint says that the largest decline driver was a decreasing North American market disappointed by the Iterative series of Apple Watch Series 10 and the missing Apple Watch, which we hoped could launch last year.
It is unlikely that the figures are perfect. The counterpoint research figures are based on estimates of analysts rather than sales data, than apple Never Make public, and the output was disabled before Apple. However, the concept of disappointing 2024 for Apple Watch sounds true, and is a plausible reason for the reason why the market could shrink last year.
A much better 2025 in store for smart watches
Apple Watch Series 10 actually marked a whole refinement during the previous 9 series. It is decidedly more comfortable to wear and the display is much brighter when seen from an angle.
In my opinion, the lack of Apple Watch Ultra 3 was certainly a disappointment. Apple’s Ultra 2 has obtained a new Black Titanium color, but the absence of any other upgrade certainly repelled new potential customers, including those who seek to pass from the original Apple Watch.
Whether or not these figures represent a drop in the smartwatch market, the prospects of 2025 are much better, at least for Apple. The company plans to unveil three new models, including a new Apple Watch SE 3 redesigned, a long -awaited upgrade which has also probably had an impact on the market.
The Apple Watch Series 11 may not be a major design change during series 10, but it should include high blood pressure detection that will operate in a vein similar to its sleep apnea detection, giving alerts for abnormal readings, rather than specific data.
Finally, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will finish the whole, with high detection of blood pressure also in trailer.
All these elements should be revealed during the Apple customary September event alongside the iPhone 17.
