Apple’s smartwatch share dips to 52% in Q1 2016 from 63%

Apple Watch
Apple’s smartwatch market share fell to 52 percent in Q1 2016 from 63 percent share in the prior quarter.

Smartwatch shipments grew 223 percent year on year and fell 48 percent quarter on quarter to 4.2 million in the first quarter of 2016, according to Strategy Analytics.

“Global smartwatch growth is being driven by consumer demand for Apple, Android Wear and Tizen models across North America, Western Europe and Asia,” said Rajeev Nair, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics.

Apple Watch shipped 2.2 million units. Samsung shipped 0.6 million smartwatches, capturing 14 percent market share. Apple Watch and Samsung Gear models are expanding fast across dozens of countries, but competition from LG, Motorola and others is ramping up fast.

“Future traction for Apple Watch 2 will be closely linked to compelling apps that better exploit the usability of wearable tech, while offering autonomous 4G connectivity and enhanced battery life — all if which are in rather short supply today,” said Cliff Raskind, director at Strategy Analytics.