Fitbit Leads Red Hot Wearables Market, Xiaomi Captures Second Place
It still remains to be seen whether there's a lasting, lucrative market for smartwatches, though when it comes to devices like fitness trackers, there are plenty of buyers. This is evidenced by Fitbit taking the lead in a wearables segment that's just seen its eight consecutive quarter of steady growth around the globe, according to data compiled by International Data Corporation.
Fitbit maintained its momentum from the fourth quarter of 2014 right on into the first quarter of 2015, the latter of which was boosted by the release of three new devices -- Charge, Charge HR, and the Surge. There also remains demand for Fitbit's older Flex wristband and One and Zip clip-on models.
"Bucking the post-holiday decline normally associated with the first quarter is a strong sign for the wearables market," said Ramon Llamas, research manager, Wearables. "It demonstrates growing end-user interest and the vendors' ability to deliver a diversity of devices and experiences. In addition, demand from emerging markets is on the rise and vendors are eager to meet these new opportunities."
Fit shipped 3.9 million wearable devices in the first quarter of 2015, up from 1.7 million in the same quarter a year prior. That was enough for Fitbit to capture more than a third of the market (34.2 percent), though it can't afford to rest on its laurels with Chinese player Xiaomi not far behind.
A newcomer to the category, Xiaomi charged the wearables market with its Mi Band and sold 2.8 million of them, giving the company nearly a quarter stake (24.6 percent).
After Xiaomi there's a precipitous drop to third place where Garmin sits at a 6.1 percent share with 700,000 shipments.
Fitbit maintained its momentum from the fourth quarter of 2014 right on into the first quarter of 2015, the latter of which was boosted by the release of three new devices -- Charge, Charge HR, and the Surge. There also remains demand for Fitbit's older Flex wristband and One and Zip clip-on models.
Fit shipped 3.9 million wearable devices in the first quarter of 2015, up from 1.7 million in the same quarter a year prior. That was enough for Fitbit to capture more than a third of the market (34.2 percent), though it can't afford to rest on its laurels with Chinese player Xiaomi not far behind.
A newcomer to the category, Xiaomi charged the wearables market with its Mi Band and sold 2.8 million of them, giving the company nearly a quarter stake (24.6 percent).
After Xiaomi there's a precipitous drop to third place where Garmin sits at a 6.1 percent share with 700,000 shipments.
