The Apple Watch has taken over the Fitbit as the world’s most popular piece of wearable smart technology thanks to some steady growth.
Apple recently hosted an earnings call to investors, and while it didn’t detail the exact figures like it does with the iPhone, iPad and Mac, Apple CEO Tim Cook did say Watch sales had doubled.
However, Strategy Analytics has done its research and predicted Apple would have sold 3.5 million smartwatches in the latest quarter.
Those units are part of a wider 22 million wearable shipments sold during the first four months of 2017 – an increase of 21 percent year-on-year.
Apple was predicted to have sold 1.3 million more Apple Watch units than this time last year indicating an even bigger jump of 59 percent. Apple now holds 16 percent of the total market, finally placing it in the number one spot ahead of Fitbit.
Fitbit’s figures saw it fall from 4.5 million in the first quarter of 2016 to 2.9 million in the latest quarter.
Strategy Analytics points towards a slowing demand for fitness bands. It’s an interesting take considering with the launch of Apple Watch Series 2, Apple focused on its fitness capabilities. However, SA believes Apple’s growth is down to “enhanced styling, intensive marketing, and a good retail presence.”
However, Fitbit didn’t just fall to second place, it dropped to third. Hot on the heels of Apple is Xiaomi, which produces the budget Mi Band. The company sold 3.4 million units – only just behind Apple.