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 50.0% 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.”
About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC’s analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world’s leading technology media, research, and events company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC.
IDC in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey
For the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey region, IDC retains a coordinated network of offices in Riyadh, Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, Cairo, and Istanbul, with a regional center in Dubai. Our coverage couples local insight with an international perspective to provide a comprehensive understanding of markets in these dynamic regions. Our market intelligence services are unparalleled in depth, consistency, scope, and accuracy. IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey currently fields over 130 analysts, consultants, and conference associates across the region. To learn more about IDC MEA, please visit www.idc-cema.com. You can follow IDC MEA on Twitter at @IDCMEA.
