• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Apple

Here’s How Popular Apple Watch Was Last Quarter

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 8, 2017, 12:09 PM ET

Apple might not share its Apple Watch unit sales numbers, but a market researcher has put an estimate on its record-setting fourth quarter.

The tech giant sold 6 million Apple Watch units worldwide during the fourth quarter, according to research firm Canalys. Apple Watch unit sales were up 12% year over year, according to the research firm. In total, 9 million smartwatches were sold worldwide during the period.

Apple released its Apple Watch smartwatch in 2015 and updated it with a new processor and GPS support last year. The smartwatch integrates with iOS and can display notifications like text messages. Apple Watch can also be used to make calls and supports third-party applications.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter

While Apple (AAPL) has said that its smartwatch is popular, the company has never revealed actual sales figures. Apple CEO Tim Cook has argued that sharing sales figures could help competitors—a claim at which some analysts have scoffed.

The company has, however, dropped hints about its Apple Watch’s sales. In an announcement about its last fiscal quarter ended Dec. 31, for instance, Apple said that Apple Watch sales hit an all-time high during the period—but it didn’t share actual sales figures.

Apple’s unwillingness to share sales results has forced market researchers and analysts to make educated guesses about Apple Watch sales. Those guesses, like the latest from Canalys, are based upon analyses of retail sales data, supply checks, and other measures.

In addition to estimating Apple’s unit sales, Canalys said in its report that it estimates Apple Watch sales exceeded $2.6 billion in the fourth quarter and accounted for 80% of the smartwatch market’s total revenue. For all of 2016, Canalys estimates Apple sold 11.9 million Apple Watch units, giving it 49% market share on the year.

For more about Apple Watch, watch:

Beyond Apple, Canalys said that Fitbit (FIT) was the second-most-popular smartwatch maker last year with 17% market share. Apple’s chief rival in the smartphone market, Samsung, came in third place with 15% market share.

Looking ahead, Canalys isn’t convinced that Apple will be able to keep up its smartwatch market lead.

“In the coming quarters, Samsung is expected to push shipments of its Gear S3 Classic and Frontier,” Canalys said, referring to Samsung’s upcoming smartwatches. “Apple’s smartwatch lead will increasingly be challenged by the rebounding competition.”

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Lists Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Lists Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Payday loan debt: How to get out and find alternatives
Personal Financemoney management
Payday loan debt: How to get out and find alternatives
By Joseph HostetlerApril 24, 2026
6 minutes ago
A container ship in the canal
EnergyShipping
Even as businesses spend $4 million to cross Panama Canal, they say ‘it’s safer and less expensive’ than the Strait of Hormuz
By Alma Solis, Megan Janetsky and The Associated PressApril 24, 2026
2 hours ago
investors
EconomyIntel
Intel’s blowout quarter just sparked its best day since 1987
By The Associated Press and Stan ChoeApril 24, 2026
2 hours ago
US President Donald Trump.
PoliticsImmigration
Trump’s own judge just sided against his asylum crackdown—White House blames ‘political lens’
By Michael Kunzelman, Lindsay Whitehurst and The Associated PressApril 24, 2026
2 hours ago
Ron Kaz wears a hat outside the department of corrections before the scheduled firing squad execution of South Carolina inmate Mikal Mahdi on April 11, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina.
LawDepartment of Justice
Firing squads are back: Trump’s DOJ revives rarely used execution method once limited to five states
By The Associated Press and Alanna Durkin RicherApril 24, 2026
2 hours ago
Hallucinogenics are illegal under federal law but that isn’t stopping the FDA from fast tracking 3 psychedelic drugs to treat mental health
PoliticsFDA
Hallucinogenics are illegal under federal law but that isn’t stopping the FDA from fast tracking 3 psychedelic drugs to treat mental health
By Matthew Perrone and The Associated PressApril 24, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

Despite nearing their 60s, nearly four in 10 Americans heading towards the end of their careers don’t even have a retirement account
Success
Despite nearing their 60s, nearly four in 10 Americans heading towards the end of their careers don’t even have a retirement account
By Emma BurleighApril 23, 2026
1 day ago
When interest on national debt overtook military spending, it triggered a limit where the U.S. may ‘cease to be a great power,’ warns Hoover historian
Economy
When interest on national debt overtook military spending, it triggered a limit where the U.S. may ‘cease to be a great power,’ warns Hoover historian
By Eleanor PringleApril 23, 2026
2 days ago
‘Don’t leave’: Jensen Huang challenges billionaire class as he insists ‘highest taxes in the world’ are OK with him
Big Tech
‘Don’t leave’: Jensen Huang challenges billionaire class as he insists ‘highest taxes in the world’ are OK with him
By Jacqueline MunisApril 23, 2026
1 day ago
Teen boys are choosing AI girlfriends over real ones for 'maximum control, zero rejection'—experts say it could make them unemployable
Success
Teen boys are choosing AI girlfriends over real ones for 'maximum control, zero rejection'—experts say it could make them unemployable
By Orianna Rosa RoyleApril 17, 2026
8 days ago
The longevity revolution is here. Our systems still think we die at 65
Commentary
The longevity revolution is here. Our systems still think we die at 65
By Ken DychtwaldApril 23, 2026
1 day ago
Stocks slump globally as Trump says he's in no rush to end the war—and California is running out of jet fuel
Energy
Stocks slump globally as Trump says he's in no rush to end the war—and California is running out of jet fuel
By Jim EdwardsApril 24, 2026
14 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.