Global sales of smartwatches have fallen for the first time, new figures indicate, in large part due to a sharp decline in the popularity of market leader, Apple. Market research firm Counterpoint says 7% fewer of the devices were shipped in 2024 compared to the year before.
Shipments of Apple Watches fell by 19% in that period, Counterpoint says. It blames the slump on a lack of new features in Apple’s latest devices, and the fact a rumored high-end Ultra 3 model never materialized.
“The biggest driver of the decline was North America, where the absence of the Ultra 3 and minimal feature upgrades in the S10 lineup led consumers to hold back purchases,” said Counterpoint senior research analyst Anshika Jain.
Apple was also hit with sales and import bans in the US in late 2023 and early 2024 over a disputed patent regarding blood oxygen level monitoring – which Ms Jain says also contributed to lower sales figures in the first half of 2024.
Credit: BBC