Smartwatch Cellular Has Carrier Push, Enterprises Pull, Says IDC
Enterprises and healthcare want to free smartwatches from cellular, while carriers push subsidies or financing options for watches with cellular service, reported IDC Wednesday. Half are expected to be connected to a cellular network in the next four years.…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
Wearable devices, on track for global shipments of 222.9 million units this year, are expected to reach 302.3 million in 2023. Smartwatches and ear-worn devices will be more than 70 percent of all wearables. The category is diversifying by connectivity and distribution, said analyst Jitesh Ubrani. Apple is expected to continue to lead in watches, with 25.9 percent share in 2023 vs 41.2 percent today, while the category overall grows from 91.8 million units in 2019 to 131.6 million. Mature markets such as North America and Western Europe are expected to have declining shipments in wristbands as users transition to smartwatches.