Fitbit runs away with the wearable marker as Apple Watch sales slip

New version of Apple Watch expected to be unveiled tomorrow
Global wearables market grew 26.1 % from a year ago to 22.5 million units
Apple does not release official sales figures for Watch
IDC says it captured just 7% of the market with 1.6 million units sold

Published: 12:33 EST, 6 September 2016 | Updated: 14:17 EST, 6 September 2016

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Fitbit has extended its lead in the market for connected wearables in the second quarter amid a sharp drop in Apple Watch sales, a survey has revealed.

The survey by research firm IDC said the global wearables market grew 26.1 percent from a year ago to 22.5 million units.

Fitbit, which recently introduced its Charge 2 and Flex 2 fitness bands, captured 25.4 percent of the market with sales growth of nearly 29 percent, IDC said.

Fitbit extended its lead in the market for connected wearables in the second quarter amid a sharp drop in Apple Watch sales, a new IDC survey has revealed. It comes as a new version of the Apple Watch is expected to be unveiled tomorrow

APPLE WATCH 2 EXPECTED

The technology giant is also rumoured to be launching its second-generation smartwatch alongside the iPhone 7.

The Apple Watch 2 is said to be faster than its predecessor, with an improved battery and a built-in barometer.

The timepiece is designed to work with Apple's Update WatchOS software.

Chinese electronics group Xiaomi was second with a market share of 14 percent, with modest sales growth of 2.5 percent, according to the survey.

Apple, which introduced its smartwatch a year ago, saw a 56.7 percent year-over-year drop in sales of the device, IDC said.

Apple, which does not release official sales data for the smartwatch, captured just seven percent of the overall wearables market with 1.6 million units sold, according to IDC's estimate.

It is preparing to launch a new version of its smartwatch.

The Apple Watch 2 is said to be faster than its predecessor, with an improved battery and a built-in barometer.

The timepiece is designed to work with Apple's Update WatchOS software.

iCharts

The survey by research firm IDC said the global wearables market grew 26.1 percent from a year ago to 22.5 million units.

The California company has scheduled a media event Wednesday where it may unveil an updated Apple Watch along with a new version of its iPhone.

IDC analysts said the market is bifurcating between basic wearables with a single function and more complex devices that accept third-party applications and functions like communication and mobile payments.

Apple, which does not release official sales data for the smartwatch, captured just seven percent of the overall wearables market with 1.6 million units sold, according to IDC's estimate.

IDC research manager Ramon Llamas said basic wearables accounted for 82.8 percent of sales, and more vendors continue to enter this space.

'Smart wearables, meanwhile, are still struggling to find their place in the market,' Llamas said.

'There is plenty of curiosity about what smart wearables -- particularly smartwatches -- can do, but they have yet to convince users that they are a must-have item.'