Is the era of Apple Watch 1 strong ending?
Huawei wearable devices have become a major player
In the wearable device market where Apple Watch seems to be the winner, unexpected ambush has a big presence when including not only smart watches but also wristband type devices. Xiaomi is actually the world's top share of wearable devices that can be worn on the wrist. Xiaomi's "Mi Band" series sells better than the Apple Watch when viewed worldwide due to the high cost performance of around 3000 yen.
IDC Wearable Device Shipments (Q2 2019)
And Apple is in second place, but Huawei is chasing after that. According to an IDC survey, shipments of wrist-worn wearable devices from April to June 2019 were 5.9 million for Xiaomi, 5.1 million for Apple, and 4.8 million for Huawei. Compared to the same period of the previous year, Xiaomi increased by 43%, surpassing Apple, which had only increased by 7%, and jumped to the top. However, Huawei is noteworthy, and Xiaomi's growth from the previous year is 176%. It was only 1.7 million units in the same period last year, but this year it has tripled.
Huawei wearables are slowly coming
Apple also repeats the model change of Apple Watch almost every year. Xiaomi is also launching new products one after another, such as reducing the price while displaying the Mi Band in color. However, the day when Huawei overtakes these top two companies may come early.
Because Huawei boasts a rich product lineup even in wearables. Huawei has both products for ultra-low price & simple function Xiaomi, high price & high performance Apple. The wristband type terminal "HUAWEI Band 4" supports color display, can be charged directly from the main unit via USB, and is easy to use. The price in Japan is only 4900 yen (excluding tax, the same applies below). Isn't this the price you would want to buy for a trial?
Low price and easy to use HUAWEI Band 4
On the other hand, the latest model of smart watch "HUAWEI Watch GT 2" weighs 41g for the 46mm model and only 29g for the 42mm model. Although there is no cellular model with built-in eSIM, the price starts from about 20,000 yen while boasting sufficient performance such as elegant texture and design, and notification function from activity meter and smartphone. It's about half the price of an Apple Watch. Of course, if you compare the two, there is a functional difference corresponding to the price. However, there are many people who say that the functions of HUAWEI Watch GT2 are enough.
HUAWEI Watch GT2 is attractive for its lightness and low price.The texture is also good
Huawei also has several smart watches for children that are becoming more popular in China. Unlike products for adults, children's watches require "always connected by 4G" and "safety confirmation camera", but Huawei is the only smartphone maker that is working in earnest.
In this way, Huawei's wearable devices, which have three lines (one of which is for children in China), have continued to evolve by undergoing one or two model changes a year. As the number of users increases, we will take advantage of the feedback from them and install a function that makes us think "I want it!" Every time a new product comes out.
From the previous model, HUAWEI Watch GT 2 has "addition of training workout", "call function (Bluetooth connection) to 46mm model", "equipped with HUAWEI TruRelax function that can monitor stress state", "up to 2 weeks for 46mm model, 1 week for 42mm model" Improvements such as "battery-powered" have been made.
A function has also been added that allows you to turn your favorite photo into a face.
Perhaps in a hurry due to Huawei's rapid growth, Xiaomi also started full-scale entry of smart watches from this November. Xiaomi had a smartwatch from an affiliated company, but its own branded product uses a square display similar to the Apple Watch, and is trying to compete at a low price.
Huawei is increasing its market share in smartwatches designed with the watch itself, but it may have avoided competing with competing products due to its high degree of perfection. In fact, I hear that Huawei smartwatches are selling pretty well in China as well.
Smartwatches are also selling well at Huawei stores in China
Returning to the wearable market as a whole, Fitbit is next to Huawei. With the acquisition by Google, products like the "wearable version of Pixel" may come out. And next to it is Samsung Electronics and manufacturers who are likely to come to something. I would like to pay attention to how far Huawei, a wearable market that is expected to grow in the future, will increase its market share.
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