Middle East, Africa, & Turkey Wearable Devices Market Enjoys Strong Growth
December 24, 2018 | IDCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Shipments of wearable devices in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) region reached 1.13 million units in the third quarter of 2018 (Q3 2018), according to the latest insights from International Data Corporation (IDC). The global technology research and consulting firm's Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker shows that shipments were up 77.6% on the corresponding period of 2017 and up 50% on the previous quarter.
The market witnessed various new product launches in Q3 2018 from brands such as Fitbit, Huawei, and Garmin, which all helped spur growth in the basic wearables category. A large number of shipments from Xiaomi, particularly to Turkey and the UAE, was another driver of basic wearables growth in the region. Xiaomi launched its first flagship store in Turkey and shipped large number of basic wearables to the country, alongside other consumer devices such as PCs and smartphones.
"The basic wearables category has been growing for a number of years now and the new features and functionalities added to the basic watch category are proving attractive to the first-time users," says Ayse Kaptanoglu, a senior research analyst within IDC's devices group. "These users will invest in upgrades over the coming years as they become used to the convenience of using smart wearable devices. As such, the market presents a clear opportunity for new players, which is why various fashion brands are now looking to enter this space and tap into the growing demand."
"However, affordability remains the biggest issue in the META region," continues Kaptanoglu. "Most countries are price sensitive due to fluctuating exchange rates, rising inflation, low consumer confidence, and other unfavorable macroeconomic conditions, all of which are causing some consumers to postpone their purchases. While demand for connectivity will spur the market for smart wearables, which are mainly supplied by Apple and Samsung, pricing will play a critical role in determining buyer behavior in this space. Despite these issues, IDC expects the young population's strong interest in new technologies to keep demand for wearables alive in the region."
Suggested Items
IDTechEx Discusses Low-Loss Materials: The Enabler of Future Connected Vehicles?
05/06/2024 | IDTechExFuture connected vehicles will offer future drivers a safer, smoother, and more convenient driving experience. Not only will drivers get access to more navigation and entertainment options, but they will also gain access to safety technologies that will potentially reduce accidents, improve congestion, and reduce emissions globally by allowing vehicle safety systems to communicate with each other and with city traffic infrastructure.
HBM Prices to Increase by 5–10% in 2025, Accounting for Over 30% of Total DRAM Value
05/06/2024 | TrendForceAvril Wu, TrendForce Senior Research Vice President, reports that the HBM market is poised for robust growth, driven by significant pricing premiums and increased capacity needs for AI chips.
Tablet Shipments Show Signs of Recovery in Q1 2024
05/06/2024 | IDCAfter more than two years of decline, worldwide tablet shipments posted modest year-over-year growth of 0.5% in the first quarter of 2024 (1Q24), totaling 30.8 million units, according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker.
Industrial PC Market Size to Record $1.75 Billion Growth from 2023-2027
05/03/2024 | PRNewswireThe global industrial pc market size is estimated to grow by USD 1.75 billion from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. This growth is expected to occur at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of almost 6.29% during the forecast period.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Direct Imaging Equipment and Quad-wave DLP Light Engine Technology
05/03/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGuest Editor Kelly Dack and MivaTek's Brendan Hogan delve into the company's innovative technologies, including direct imaging equipment and quad-wave DLP light engine technology. They highlight the benefits of direct imaging, compensation, and DART technology.