Apple Watch Q4 2024 Shipments Drop 19% Amid New Feature Development Challenges

The growth of various Apple Watch models appears to have reached a plateau, with Apple facing challenges in expanding functionality for its users. The latest iteration, the Apple Watch Series 10, which was initially rumored to include blood pressure monitoring features, ultimately delivered only a change in size. Furthermore, the manufacturing process has seen less focus on chipsets, resulting in unchanged battery performance. Recent insights suggest that this stagnation has led to a projected 19% decline in Apple Watch shipments for Q4 2024.

Declining Shipment Trends Reflect Lack of Innovation and Market Demand

The significant drop in shipments can largely be attributed to reduced demand in the U. S.market, which represents over half of Apple Watch sales. According to Counterpoint Research, 2024 marked the second consecutive year of declining shipments, primarily stemming from the absence of an enticing and affordable Apple Watch SE model. Balbir Singh notes that the limited upgrades to the Apple Watch Series 10 and the absence of a new Apple Watch Ultra model have contributed to this decline.

“Apple’s smartwatch shipments declined 19% YoY in 2024, according to Counterpoint’s Global Smartwatch Shipment Tracker, Q4 2024. The brand witnessed declines in all regions except India. However, its global decline was mainly driven by the significant decline in the North American market, which contributes more than half of Apple’s smartwatch shipments.2024 was the second consecutive year to witness a YoY shipment decline. In the advanced smartwatch segment, Apple’s market share decreased by 8 percentage points YoY in 2024. Q4 2024 was the fifth consecutive quarter to see a decline in Apple’s smartwatch shipments even as all the other major competitors offering advanced smartwatches witnessed growth.”

Prospects for recovery in shipments may hinge on the anticipated releases of an updated Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 in the near future. However, complications are reportedly affecting these upcoming launches as well. For instance, Apple is trying to reduce costs for the Apple Watch SE by switching to a plastic chassis, a move that has reportedly met with internal dissent.

Moreover, the introduction of a non-invasive blood glucose monitoring sensor could also help revitalize interest and boost shipments. However, incorporating such a feature into a future smartwatch may take years of development. A prototype of the Apple Watch Series 10 did feature a mysterious sensor that ultimately did not make it to the final product, leaving its intended purpose unclear; speculation remains as to whether it was designed to gauge blood glucose levels.

For more information, visit Counterpoint Research.

Additional insights can be found at Wccftech.