INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Apple may dominate the wearable conversation here in the States, but things look a fair bit different on the other side of the world
In Asia, Xiaomi is the giant in the room
According to new numbers form Canalys, the Chinese manufacturer was the key driver in global growth
Wearable band shipments grew 65%, year over year for Q3
Xiaomi continues to top the list, with an even more impressive 74% versus this time last year
That puts gives the company 27% of the total global wearable band market — its highest number since 2015.
Low prices have been the key
to the company success, which have helped grow shipments in China by 60% overall
The company strategy has also rubbed off on competitors like Samsung and Fitbit (soon to be counted among Google numbers), which have sought
to offer low cost devices in order to appeal to those users, particularly in Asia
Huawei saw substantial growth for the quarter, as well, at 243% year over year, courtesy of strong sales in its native China
Those numbers helped the company hold onto third place globally, just ahead of Fitbit
Even Apple is offering up lower cost devices by keeping older model Apple Watches around, hitting the $200 price point The company new,
premium devices continue to dominate, however
The Series 5 comprise upwards of 60% of the company global shipments for the quarter
