Apple Watch Dominates Q4 2018 Smartwatch Market with 51% Share Amid Record Global Shipments of 18.2 Million Units

Zhitong Finance APP learned that market research firm Strategy Analytics released a new report pointing out that in the fourth quarter of last year, global smartwatch shipments increased by 56% year-on-year to a record 18.2 million units. Apple Watch maintained its first place with a 51% market share, while Samsung surpassed Fitbit and Garmin to jump to second place.

In the fourth quarter of last year, global shipments of the Apple Watch Series 3 reached 9.2 million units, representing an 18% year-on-year increase. However, its market share declined from 67% in the same period of the previous year to 51%, as competitors eroded its position.

Samsung’s global shipments reached 2.4 million units in Q4 2018, capturing a 13% market share, up from just 5% in the same period the previous year. Fitbit also held a 13% share of the global smartwatch market in that quarter, representing a threefold increase from its 4% share in Q4 2017. Garmin ranked fourth with a 6% market share, remaining flat compared to the same period last year.