• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechThe Mobile Executive

Why Fitbit’s Latest Quarter Was Not as Great as It Seemed

By
Aaron Pressman
Aaron Pressman
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Aaron Pressman
Aaron Pressman
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 5, 2016, 12:58 PM ET

Fitbit is maintaining its market share in the wearables market, but only because higher-end smartwatches have tanked.

A cursory look at the third quarter wearables market report that International Data Corp released on Monday appeared to show Fitbit holdings its own, slightly increasing its market share overall to 23% from 21% a year earlier. The number of Fitbit shipped increased 11% to 5.3 million, IDC noted.

But the report combines different kinds of smart wearable devices, including both fitness trackers and more expensive smartwatches, a category for devices that can run third-party software, like the Apple Watch or Pebble Time. IDC has already reported that the smartwatch segment contracted by a brutal 52% in the third quarter.

If the smartwatch segment is removed, leaving just the shipments of fitness trackers and other simpler devices, Fitbit’s results don’t look as good. The market for wearables excluding smartwatches grew 22% in the third quarter, it appears, meaning that Fitbit’s 11% growth lagged competitors and its market share just in its own segment likely shrunk.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

Still, Fitbit sought to portray the results in the best possible light. The company’s stock has been struggling for the past year and slipped 36% just in the past month, after it delivered a disappointing forecast for fourth quarter sales.

Fitbit “remains the clear leader of the overall wearables category,” the company said in a statement. “Fitbit was among the brands with the strongest (year-over-year) growth, up 11%, demonstrating positive reception for new devices introduced throughout 2016 and continued growth for the company.”

Fitbit should remain the overall market leader in the “near term,” IDC said in the report. And the company could find more growth by offering a true smartwatch of its own. Fitbit is in talks to acquire such technology from Pebble. “The potential to expand into the smartwatch category present an opportunity for the company to be more than just a fitness brand,” IDC said.

The IDC report didn’t do much for Fitbit’s stock price, however, as investors are more concerned about the current fourth quarter’s sales. Shares of Fitbit (FIT) were unchanged at $8.14 in midday trading on Monday.

For more on Fitbit’s expansion strategy, watch:

Chinese vendor Xiaomi’s second-place share was about unchanged at 17%. Garmin (GRMN), which sells both fitness trackers and smartwatches, slightly gained market share in the overall wearables market and ranked third. The company had a 6% share in the third quarter of 2016, up fro 5% a year earlier.

Apple (AAPL) was the biggest loser in the report. Shipments of its Apple Watch dropped 71% to 1.1 million in the third quarter, according to IDC. Apple didn’t start selling its upgraded Apple Watch Series Two until the very end of the quarter, however.

About the Author
By Aaron Pressman
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

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
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
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
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

Even Nvidia’s own research teams can’t get enough GPUs amid the race for AI computing power
NewslettersEye on AI
Even Nvidia’s own research teams can’t get enough GPUs amid the race for AI computing power
By Sharon GoldmanApril 9, 2026
2 hours ago
You’re looking at the AI revolution all wrong, top economist says: 40% unemployment and a 3-day work week are the same thing
AIdisruption
You’re looking at the AI revolution all wrong, top economist says: 40% unemployment and a 3-day work week are the same thing
By Nick LichtenbergApril 9, 2026
3 hours ago
Zoom CEO Eric Yuan
Successthe future of work
‘I hate working 5 days’: Zoom CEO says traditional work schedules are becoming obsolete—and predicts a 3-day workweek by 2031
By Preston ForeApril 9, 2026
4 hours ago
Nutella seen aboard the Orion spacecraft Integrity.
RetailFood and drink
Nutella jumps on the best product placement money can’t buy: a trip to the far side of the moon
By Catherina GioinoApril 9, 2026
5 hours ago
kash
Cybersecuritycyber
Trump’s ‘cease-fire’ won’t stop Iranian hackers for long, cyber experts say
By David Klepper and The Associated PressApril 9, 2026
5 hours ago
lego
PoliticsIran
AI-savvy pro-Iran groups troll America with Lego Movie-style propaganda videos mocking American failure
By Sam McNeil and The Associated PressApril 9, 2026
6 hours ago

Most Popular

The U.S. had a national debt ‘home run’ in its grasp, says Jamie Dimon. But the government did nothing, and now its best option is crisis management
Economy
The U.S. had a national debt ‘home run’ in its grasp, says Jamie Dimon. But the government did nothing, and now its best option is crisis management
By Fortune EditorsApril 8, 2026
1 day ago
U.S. government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined
Economy
U.S. government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
7 hours ago
Self-made billionaire MrBeast says his work-life balance is nonexistent and calls it a ‘miracle’ if he works less than 15-hour days: ‘I live to work’
Success
Self-made billionaire MrBeast says his work-life balance is nonexistent and calls it a ‘miracle’ if he works less than 15-hour days: ‘I live to work’
By Fortune EditorsApril 8, 2026
1 day ago
2 years ago, Saudi Arabia quietly canceled the ‘petrodollar’ deal with America that wired the world economy for 50 years. Then war broke out in Iran
Energy
2 years ago, Saudi Arabia quietly canceled the ‘petrodollar’ deal with America that wired the world economy for 50 years. Then war broke out in Iran
By Fortune EditorsApril 7, 2026
2 days ago
MacKenzie Scott's latest donation takes her HBCU giving to well over $1 billion
Success
MacKenzie Scott's latest donation takes her HBCU giving to well over $1 billion
By Fortune EditorsApril 7, 2026
2 days ago
Artemis II’s astronauts are on their way home—a six-figure salary but no overtime or hazard pay awaits them back on Earth
Success
Artemis II’s astronauts are on their way home—a six-figure salary but no overtime or hazard pay awaits them back on Earth
By Fortune EditorsApril 7, 2026
2 days 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.