Market intelligence firm IDC predicts that the Apple Watch will continue to dominate the smartwatch market as Android smartwatches only really sell well in China, and Samsung’s Tizen watches languish in fifth place …
IDC says that ear-worn smart devices will become increasingly important, but told CNET that Apple will remain largely unchallenged in smartwatches. Apple is expected to retain 25.9% of the market by 2023, only slightly down on the 27.4% share the firm estimated in March.
Unsurprisingly, cellular models are expected to become increasingly popular.
“Apple’s […] nearest competitors follow by a long margin,” said Ramon T. Llamas, research director for IDC’s Wearables team. “Android also plays a big role here, but it’s mostly known as a Chinese wearables platform.”
A recent reader survey found that almost a third of you think there’s a better than even chance that an Apple Watch could replace your iPhone within the next few years.
IDC believes that smart in-ear headphones – or ‘hearables’ – will expand into translation.
The wearable market as a whole is expected to see continued growth over the next four years.
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