To no-one’s surprise, Apple dominates the global smartwatch market share, as I posted in Forbes about today. The big surprise in the recent Counterpoint Research numbers that came out: the dismal market share Google has in Wear OS, its operating system for wearable tech like smartwatches.
That should improve over time: Google did just acquire Fitbit, and Google signed a deal with Samsung so Galaxy smartwatches will use Wear OS. But one wonders if the Chromebook or Pixel strategy needs to happen here for Google to really win with Wear OS.
From my post:
It’s important to note, however, that a 33.5% device share for Apple probably represents a great than 60% revenue share. The Apple Watch Series 6 retails anywhere from $400 to well over $1,000 depending on options, case style, band style, and more. A Fitbit Sense retails for $300, Samsung Galaxy Watches range from $200-400, and many of the Huawei and smaller brands are significantly cheaper.
One significantly poor showing: Google’s Wear OS.
Google only achieved 3.9% market share for its smartwatch operating system in the first quarter of 2021.