Apple became the world’s leading vendor of wearable bands in Q2 2015, according to Canalys estimates. With 4.2 million shipments, it easily overtook Fitbit, Xiaomi and all the smart watch vendors, despite the Apple Watch’s significantly higher pricing. Apple has done an excellent job designing its WatchKit SDK, which it delivered quickly and comprehensively. Native WatchKit extensions provide a capable developer platform without sacrificing battery life. But early sales were hindered due to two factors. Firstly, Apple missed the Q4 2014 holiday season. Secondly, supply constraints stalled shipments for the first couple months after launch.

‘The Apple Watch is the most sophisticated smart watch to date, and it has proved popular with Apple fans worldwide. But Apple and other vendors still face important challenges to make the smart watch a breakout hit. Improvements in performance, battery life and sensor integration are needed to make future models more attractive, but it is the quality of third-party apps that will determine whether the Apple Watch will be a long-term success,’ said Chris Jones, VP and Principal Analyst at Canalys.

Canalys will be providing its clients with full details on this story when its quarterly country-level wearable band estimates are published. If you are interested in further information, please contact us:

• Canalys Americas: +1 650 681 4488 Chris Jones: chris_jones@canalys.com +1 650 450 1513 Daniel Matte: daniel_matte@canalys.com +1 650 384 9733

• Canalys APAC: +65 6671 9399 (Singapore) / +86 21 2225 2888 (China) Nicole Peng: nicole_peng@canalys.com +86 150 2186 8330 Jason Low: jason_low@canalys.com +86 159 2128 2971(China)

• Canalys EMEA: +44 118 984 0520 Rachel Lashford: rachel_lashford@canalys.com +65 9113 7976 Tim Coulling: tim_coulling@canalys.com +44 7900 991 852

Our analysts will be at IFA in Berlin in September to discuss key topics. If you have any questions or opinions that you would like to discuss, don’t hesitate to contact them at: press@canalys.com.