Apple Increased Its Global Smartwatch Shipments Share in Q4 2020 [Chart]

Apple increased its share of global smartwatch shipments in third fourth quarter of 2020, according to a new report from Counterpoint.

Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, global smartwatch shipments in Q4 2020 saw a slight YoY decrease to book an almost flat 2020, according to Counterpoint Research’s latest Global Smartphone Shipments Tracker. In a year where annual growth inched forward at only 1.5%, Apple maintained its solid number one position and increased its market share by 6%pts, helping shift the overall market closer to the premium segment.

Apple did well with its Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE models. The company shipped 12.9 million units in Q4 for 40% of the market. Samsung increased its share by 1% year over year.

Notably, Counterpoint says there has been a significant shift to more expensive smartwatches.

Senior Analyst Sujeong Lim said, “Price band dynamics during Q4 2020 indicate ASPs (average selling prices) are on the rise. 2019’s biggest segment ($101-$200) shrank by 7%pts, while the more premium $300-plus segments grew by 8%pts, helped tremendously by Apple, which enjoyed a dominant market share of over 70% in this category.”

Lim added, “The smartwatch market is being driven by three premium brands – Apple, Samsung and Huawei. We believe the ASPs will continue to rise over the next two to three years as these companies’ flagship models continue to lead. On the other hand, Apple’s success with its Watch SE model will likely spur others like Samsung to release similar variants, moving closer to the mass market. Over a three to four years timeframe, we see budget players like OPPO and realme gaining a significant share, intensifying overall competition and bringing down the prices.”

More details in the full report linked below…

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