Smartwatches Growth Continues Apace, as Basic Wearables Lag, Says IDC

Smartwatch shipments will reach 46.2 million this year, up 39 percent, growing to 94.3 million by 2022, IDC reported Thursday. Apple’s fourth-generation Watch (see 1809120055) will appeal to cardiac patients, said the researcher, with FDA and American Heart Association approvals. Wearable shipment growth will fall 6.2 percent this year, the first single-digit growth, due to softness in basic wearables, IDC said. Vendors are “slowly moving beyond first-generation devices" as they combine devices, partners and applications, said analyst Ramon Llamas. Analyst Jitesh Ubrani said the shift to smartwatches “is well on its way.”