• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechApple Watch

At One Year Old Is Apple’s Watch a Flop? Not Exactly.

By
Hilary Brueck
Hilary Brueck
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Hilary Brueck
Hilary Brueck
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 25, 2016, 9:07 AM ET

The Apple Watch celebrated its very first birthday Sunday.

And for many tech critics, the anniversary wasn’t exactly cause for cheer; the smartwatch was widely criticized for its often frustratingly slow speeds and unoriginal features. The debut model, many have said, is a flop.

It isn’t a “breakthrough product,” the critics moan, and people just aren’t wearing it. Some birthday present.

But despite all the grumbling, the watch’s first-year sales were actually better than the company’s first-year iPhone sales. Apple Watch sales, at an estimated 12 million in their first year, according to the The Wall Street Journal, were double the first-year iPhone sales, at 6 million.

Of course, compare those 12 million Apple Watches with the over 200 million iPhones sold in 2015 and the boast suddenly seems less impressive. But then again, the iPhone has had nine years to develop its loyal fan base and up processing speeds on its phone.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter

With the company slated to announce its first-quarter earnings Tuesday, many are predicting a slow, underwhelming report for Apple’s first quarter of 2016, as iPhone sales plateaued. And it also remains to be seen how well the new smaller-style iPhone 7 will do for the company when it is released later this year.

For more on Apple Watch sales, watch:

Meanwhile, a redesigned Apple Watch isn’t forecast to be released until next year, with only internal upgrades expected for the second generation wearable on the way in 2016. Looks like the world’s leading smartwatch might need to celebrate a few more birthdays to really get up to speed.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated when the second generation Apple Watch will be released. A second generation watch is expected in 2016. However, there will likely not be a major redesign of the watch until 2017.

About the Author
By Hilary Brueck
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Databricks CEO speaking on stage.
AIBrainstorm AI
Databricks CEO Ali Ghodsi says his company will be worth $1 trillion by doing these three things
By Beatrice NolanDecember 9, 2025
14 minutes ago
AIBrainstorm AI
CoreWeave CEO: Despite see-sawing stock, IPO was ‘incredibly successful’ after challenges of Liberation Day tariff timing
By Sharon GoldmanDecember 9, 2025
35 minutes ago
Arm CEO on stage at Brainstorm AI
AIBrainstorm AI
Physical AI robots will automate ‘large sections’ of factory work in the next decade, Arm CEO says
By Beatrice NolanDecember 9, 2025
2 hours ago
AIBrainstorm AI
‘Customers don’t care about AI’—they just want to boost cash flow and make ends meet, Intuit CEO says
By Jason MaDecember 9, 2025
4 hours ago
A man and robot sitting opposite each other.
AIEye on AI
The problem with ‘human in the loop’ AI? Often, it’s the humans
By Jeremy KahnDecember 9, 2025
4 hours ago
AIBrainstorm AI
OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap says ‘code red’ will force the company to focus, as the ChatGPT maker ramps up enterprise push
By Beatrice NolanDecember 9, 2025
5 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Success
When David Ellison was 13, his billionaire father Larry bought him a plane. He competed in air shows before leaving it to become a Hollywood executive
By Dave SmithDecember 9, 2025
14 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Real Estate
The 'Great Housing Reset' is coming: Income growth will outpace home-price growth in 2026, Redfin forecasts
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Investing
Baby boomers have now 'gobbled up' nearly one-third of America's wealth share, and they're leaving Gen Z and millennials behind
By Sasha RogelbergDecember 8, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Craigslist founder signs the Giving Pledge, and his fortune will go to military families, fighting cyberattacks—and a pigeon rescue
By Sydney LakeDecember 8, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Uncategorized
Transforming customer support through intelligent AI operations
By Lauren ChomiukNovember 26, 2025
13 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
‘Godfather of AI’ says Bill Gates and Elon Musk are right about the future of work—but he predicts mass unemployment is on its way
By Preston ForeDecember 4, 2025
5 days ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • 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
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 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.