The wearables market grew over 3 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, even as the smartwatch market declined, according to the latest study from the IDC. Total wearables shipments reached 23 million in the quarter from 22.3 million the year earlier. Basic wearables, primarily comprised of fitness bands, accounted for 85 percent of the market and experienced double-digit growth. Much of the increase was attributed to the launch of newer models, an expanding user base, and the seasonality effect of the summer, when people tend to go more out of their homes. IDC expects the momentum for basic wearables to continue for the remainder of this year, helped by the holiday season. Meanwhile, smart wearables capable of running third party apps will likely continue to struggle in the near term.
Fitbit was once again king of the market, with shipments rising to 5.3 million from 4.8 million the year before, and the market share lifting to 23 percent from 21.4 percent. Xiaomi'shipments declined somewhat to 3.8 million from 3.7 million, though its market share went to 16.5 percent from 16.4 percent. Garmin took the third position, with shipments rising to 1.3 million from 1.2 million and its market share rising to 5.7 percent from 5.3 percent. Apple's decision to launch its second-generation watches in mid-September, towards the end of the quarter, contributed to its year-over-year decline. However, the primary reasons for the downturn were an aging lineup and an unintuitive user interface. Shipments fell to 1.1 million from 3.9 million, with the market share sinking to 4.9 percent from 17.5 percent. Samsung, in fifth place, advanced shipments to 1 million from 500,00, lifting its market share to 4.5 percent from 2.4 percent.
