Apple Watch Shipments Decline by 19% in 2024, Reports Counterpoint Research

While 2024 was a strong year for Apple in the smartphone market, its smartwatch segment didn’t perform as well. According to a recent report from Counterpoint Research, Apple Watch shipments experienced a 19% decline in 2024.

Regional Decline in Demand The report highlights that Apple saw a downturn in smartwatch demand across all regions, except for India. Notably, North America, which has historically been a key market for Apple’s growth, experienced a significant drop in shipments. Additionally, Q4 2024 marked the fifth consecutive quarter of declining Apple Watch shipments, indicating a prolonged trend.

Factors Behind the Decline Counterpoint Research suggests that the lack of a new Apple Watch SE model was a major contributor to the decline in shipments. Additionally, the minimal upgrades in the Watch Series 10 did not generate the excitement expected from loyal Apple customers, further impacting sales.

Competitors See Growth In contrast to Apple’s struggles, its competitors saw a growth in smartwatch shipments. This has raised questions about Apple’s strategy in the smartwatch space, as it faces increased competition from other brands offering more feature-rich options at various price points.

Looking Ahead: Hope for 2025 Apple’s upcoming release of a new generation Watch SE, coupled with an updated Watch Ultra 3, is expected to help the company get back on track. However, it remains to be seen how these new models will perform in the competitive smartwatch market in 2025.