Smartwatch Shipments Leap 47 Percent in 2Q21

Global smartwatch shipments soared 47 percent annually to reach 18 million units in the second quarter of 2021, according to Strategy Analytics. Apple Watch maintained first position with 52 percent global smartwatch marketshare, Samsung held second, while Garmin maintained third place.

Shipments soared 47 percent annually from 12.3 million units in 2Q20 to 18.1 million in 2Q21. Smartwatch shipments worldwide are growing at their fastest rate since 2018, and the growth is back to pre-pandemic levels. Online sales of fitness-led devices that help to support personal healthcare remain popular and are the main driver of the smartwatch boom.

“We estimate Apple Watch shipped 9.5 million units worldwide in 2Q21, rising 46 percent from 6.5 million in 2Q20. Apple’s global smartwatch marketshare is holding steady around the 52 percent level. Apple still owns half the market and is keeping rivals at bay. Apple Watch Series 6 today is by far the world’s most popular smartwatch model, due to its blend of sleek design, good usability on a small screen, and a growing portfolio of health and fitness apps,“ said Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics.

Samsung shipped 2.0 million units worldwide in 2Q21, rising an above-average 54 percent from 1.3 million in the same period in 2020. Samsung’s global smartwatch marketshare is holding steady around the 11 percent level. Garmin shipped 1.5 million units worldwide in the second quarter of 2021, rising a modest 25 percent from 1.2 million in 2Q20. Garmin’s global smartwatch marketshare has drifted from 10 percent to 8 percent during the past year.

“The smartwatch market is on fire. The outlook for the rest of the year and into the Q4 holiday season is highly promising. Samsung’s new Galaxy Watch 4 is packed with compelling apps that track your holistic health better than ever before. Chinese brands, like Xiaomi and OPPO, are piling in with lower-cost 4G smartwatches optimized for mobile operators. Meanwhile, Apple Watch Series 7 is eagerly awaited, slated for September or October, and rumored to contain a larger display that will enhance further the app experience,“ added Mawston.