In late August Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple's Wearable Shipments Lead Smashed their Competitors in Q2-20 like Bugs on a Windshield." A new report posted by IDC today shows us that Apple actually extended their lead in Q3-20 in terms of shipment volume while delivering 38.6% year-over-year growth. In wearables, when cheap non-smart devices are excluded, Apple wins hands down and is shown to be gaining momentum.  

IDC reports that "The global wearables market grew 35.1% year over year during the third quarter of 2020 (3Q20) with total shipments reaching 125 million units. The surge was driven by seasonality, new product launches, and the global pandemic.

New products from the likes of Apple, Samsung, and others helped renew interest in popular categories such as smartwatches and hearables. Meanwhile, consumer spending on electronics also increased during recent months as spending on travel, dining out, and other leisure activities decreased. This shift in spending was another catalyst for the wearables market.

Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC Mobile Device Trackers: "Many countries began easing restrictions and opening up their economies during the third quarter, which helped bolster outdoor activity as well as demand for wearables. Meanwhile, a broader range of price points from numerous vendors meant that there was something for everyone."

Ramon T. Llamas, research director, Mobile Devices and AR/VR: "The double-digit growth not only indicates strong demand, but also suggests that many people got a wearable device for the first time in both emerging and developed markets. Consider what this means: a larger installed base of wearable device users going forward and a larger opportunity for device replacements in the years to come. And, as some wearers own multiple devices – like earwear and wristwear – the wearables market will enjoy sustained demand."

Clearly Apple led the market with 33.1% share during the quarter. AirPods along with Apple Watches were hugely popular due to pandemic driven demand. Apple's expanding Watch lineup also ensured that devices were available at multiple price points including new mid-level products such as the Watch SE.

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For details on Apple's competitors, read the full IDC report here.

Yesterday Patently Apple posted another positive report on wearables title "Apple's Wearable's Line-Up Soared 66% in China in Q3-20 with new Apple Watch Models Leading the Way."