Apple Watch shipments beat expectations, topping 18 million in 2017, up by more than 54% on 2016. The Series 3 was the key growth driver, as total shipments of the latest version of Apple’s Watch were just under 9 million, making up nearly half of all shipments in 2017. Apple’s Q4 performance was impressive in itself, as shipments grew by more than 32% over Q4 2016 to 8 million, the highest ever number of shipments in a single quarter, not just for Apple, but for any wearable vendor.
“The cellular version of the Apple Watch was in strong demand in the US, Japan and Australia, where all major operators stocked it in time for the holiday season,” said Vincent Thielke, Research Analyst at Canalys, in a statement. The Apple Watch Series 3 is the fastest-selling LTE wearable on the market, with shipments doubling quarter on quarter to reach 1.6 million. “But limited operator selection in the UK, Germany and France influenced consumer purchase decisions, and stifled the growth potential of the connected Apple Watch. Moving into new markets, such as Singapore and Hong Kong in Q1 2018, just in time for Chinese New Year, is a good move,” added Thielke.
“Apple has won the wearables game,” said Jason Low, Senior Analyst at Canalys, in a statement. “Apple has pulled far ahead as it continues to focus on its core iPhone user base. Its recent updates to the Series 3, such as GymKit and Apple Heart Study, are proving to offer compelling use cases, encouraging users to spend more on accessories.”
Source: Canalys
MacDailyNews Take: YKBAWID.
The Apple Watch is going to flop. — Mark Wilson, March 2, 2015
SEE ALSO:
Apple Watch sales momentum is growing; unit sales now rival those of Macintosh – January 23, 2018
IDC: Shipments of wearables to nearly double by 2021 as smartwatches take the lead over cheap fitness bands – December 22, 2017
Apple Watch has blood on its hands: Adidas’ fitness wearables are dead – December 19, 2017
Apple Watch Series 3 shipments predicted to rise to 23-25 million in 2018 – December 14, 2017
Apple Watch: The war for wearables is over, and Apple won – December 12, 2017
AliveCor’s Kardiaband EKG reader becomes first Apple Watch accessory to win FDA approval as a medical device – November 30, 2017
Canalys estimates Apple shipped 3.9 million Apple Watch units in Q317, despite strong demand outstripping supply – November 14, 2017
Two weeks with Apple Watch, leaving iPhone at home – November 10, 2017
When Apple Watch surpassed iPod – November 8, 2017
Ten days in with Apple Watch Series 3: I’m amazed by how quickly it integrated into daily life – October 19, 2017
Why Apple Watch Series 3 is a game changer – October 19, 2017
First week with Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular): Connectivity makes for a truly smart watch – October 9, 2017
Macworld reviews Apple Watch Series 3: The wearable leader runs out to an insurmountable lead – October 6, 2017
Ars Technica reviews Apple Watch Series 3: Despite some teething pains, it’s great to use – September 27, 2017
Some reviewers’ Apple Watch Series 3 ‘LTE issues’ due to easily-fixable Wi-Fi bug – September 20, 2017
Jim Dalrymple reviews Apple Watch Series 3: ‘Do yourself a favor and get one’ – September 20, 2017
Some reviewers’ Apple Watch Series 3 ‘LTE issues’ due to easily-fixable Wi-Fi bug – September 20, 2017
Wired reviews Apple Watch Series 3: ‘For the first time ever, I love the Apple Watch’ – September 20, 2017
9to5Mac reviews Apple Watch Series 3: Unlocks new potential with LTE, dramatically improved Siri – September 20, 2017
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple Watch Series 3 LTE models selling much faster than expected – September 18, 2017
Why the carriers must drop the Apple Watch LTE connectivity tax – September 15, 2017
How much Apple Watch Series 3 data plans will cost on Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint – September 14, 2017
Apple Watch, the world’s best-selling watch, can now work without an iPhone – September 12, 2017
New Apple Watch Series 3 delivers built-in cellular with powerful new health and fitness enhancements – September 12, 2017
Apple Watch has blood on its hands: Pebble is dead – December 7, 2016
Apple Watch has blood on its hands: ‘Microsoft Band’ wearable is dead – October 4, 2016
The wearables game is just beginning. don’t shout victory until the fat lady sings.
As the miniaturization of processors and sensors continue, other useful wearables will become available in a range of configurations – rings, earrings, necklaces/pendants, pin-on or clip-on products, flexible variants embedded within or woven into clothes, adhesive patches applied to the skin, and implanted or injected devices providing a range of services and potentially powered from ATP or other biological methods.
The Apple Watch is just the beginning.
Hey! Wilson! Stuff IT! IDIOT.
and never miss a text message, or phone call. Getting cancer more quickly is worth it!
literally–“at all costs.” This is a relevant consideration with all devices with a radio and no one thinks about it? Just downvote b/c protecting your brand ID is top priority.
Yet from the very beginning analysts were calling AppleWatch a failure and I’m not hearing any praise about an AppleWatch victory. I suppose the reason why AppleWatch sales aren’t seen as a victory because compared to iPhone sales, the revenue is such a small percentage. Anything Apple sells that doesn’t come close to iPhone revenue is considered a failure.
If Amazon had a 54% growth in anything the stock would be up 10%. With Apple, that 54% growth is met with a yawn. I’m just glad Apple is selling as many AppleWatches as they do. I still have hope that insurance companies might offer AppleWatches to their subscribers at a nice discount which could really boost AppleWatch sales.
I’m curious as to how many Android smartwatches are being sold globally. There are so many models being offered for such low prices. Imagine, $50 smartwatches. How good could they be.
The numbers of watches sold compared to iPhone users is abysmally small (why Apple won’t actually divulge sales).
Still for jocks (many of which still use Fitbit) and people with the discipline to put don their phone for longer than five minutes…so comparably a small base….
Apple fanboys love analysts only when they agree with them.