According to IDC (International Data Corporation), a quarter after Apple entered the wearables market, it took over as provider number two around the world closely followed by the Chinese brand Xiaomi, which ended the said quarter of 2015 (3Q15) as a strong rival in the fight for this position.
Likewise, newcomer XTC snatched the fifth-highest-selling wearable company from Samsung. According Worldwide Quarterly Device Tracker launched by IDC, total shipment volume for that quarter reached 21.0 million units, 197,6% more than the 7,1 million units sold in the third quarter of last year. A clear evolution that shows that this type of device is becoming more and more established among smartphone users.
According to the statements of Ramón Llams, Research Director IDC, We can read:
The early stages of the wearables market have led to strong competition among major vendors, this has led to Chinese vendors taking advantage of market momentum to gain market share, China has quickly emerged as the fastest growing market in this type of wearable. devices, companies are eager to compete on price and features. In addition, several manufacturers have already experimented with a wide range of products and applications. The challenge, however, is whether these suppliers can expand their presence in other markets beyond the country's borders.
While there have been clear growth in the market in general, there has been no cannibalization between products, that is, smartwatches have attracted increased attention of Apple, Motorola, Peeble or Samsung users, however, have not scratched their share of fitness meters.
As of the end of the third quarter of 2015, the shipping volumes for the two product categories increased sequentially and year over year, what is shown is that for now, these two categories can coexist and grow. This also provides end users with a choice in terms of features and functionality that best suits their needs, going from simple health-related measurements to more comprehensive functionality but also at a higher price.