• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechApple

Apple Watch Sales Have Plummeted, Analyst Says

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 21, 2016, 11:01 AM ET
Photograph by Justin Sullivan Getty Images

Apple Watch might have had a rough start to the year, according to one analyst.

Sales for the smartwatch during Apple’s second fiscal quarter were down 40% compared to the company’s fiscal first quarter ended December 26, ITG Investment Research senior analyst Matthew Goodman wrote to investors on Thursday. He added that if Apple had the same trouble globally as it did in the U.S., the company sold 3.1 million units worldwide during the period.

Apple (AAPL), which is expected to announce its second fiscal quarter results on Tuesday, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Apple launched its Apple Watch last year to much fanfare. The device allows users to run apps and, of course, tell time. However, Apple has kept its Watch sales quiet, claiming that providing sales numbers could give competitors an advantage. Since then, analysts and market researchers have offered educated guesses on how many units Apple has sold by analyzing its supply chain, retail availability, and other factors. It’s unknown, though, who might be right.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

Regardless, Apple Watch appears to be performing better than most of its competitors. In January, Juniper Research released a study that claimed Apple Watch secured 52% smartwatch market share in 2015, topping several rivals, including Samsung. Although sales were reportedly down considerably over the first three months of the year, that might make sense considering Apple’s fiscal first quarter includes the busy holiday shopping season.

For its part, Apple has remained bullish on Apple Watch, saying that there is strong demand for the smartwatch. The tech giant, during its “Let Us Loop You In” press event in March, touted the Apple Watch and announced a price drop for its entry-level Apple Watch Sport by $50. Apple also launched new wristbands for the device.

According to Goodman, whose company uses proprietary data to track Apple Watch sales, the price cut was beneficial for Apple. In the first week following the price cut, U.S. sales doubled compared to the previous week, he cited in his note. However, Goodman added that sales declined to their earlier levels just a week later.

Still, handicapping Apple Watch sales can be difficult business. While Goodman believes that Apple Watch sales were “in the high-four-millions” in Apple’s first fiscal quarter, other analysts have pegged the company’s sales anywhere from 10.5 million to 3.1 million. In January, the average analyst estimate put Apple Watch sales at 5.8 million units during the three-month period ended December 26, putting Goodman behind the pack. Actual unit sales, however, are unknown.

For more about Apple Watch sales, watch:

Looking ahead, Goodman is similarly bearish on the Apple Watch over the short term, saying that he doesn’t believe “new strap options will kick start sales.” He does, however, believe that over time, as the market matures and more consumers see value in a smartwatch, Apple will be well-positioned to capitalize.

“Longer term we are more constructive as we think use cases and popularity for the Watch will grow meaningfully,” Goodman wrote to investors.

Expect to hear more about Apple Watch next week when Apple announces its earnings and holds its call.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
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

AIAnduril
Anduril founder Palmer Luckey wants to arm the U.S.’s allies. Could his insistence on deferring to Washington scare them off?
By Nicholas GordonMarch 28, 2026
8 hours ago
AIMedia
Actors union is bargaining for ‘Tilly tax’ on AI film characters
By Victor Swezey and BloombergMarch 28, 2026
11 hours ago
rick
AIEntrepreneurship
Meet a 29-year-old blue-collar founder who used AI to triple his revenue in 3 years
By Nick LichtenbergMarch 28, 2026
17 hours ago
AIElon Musk
Elon Musk’s companies, once welcomed in Baltimore with open arms, are now getting stiff-armed—or sued
By Jessica MathewsMarch 28, 2026
17 hours ago
tomas
CommentaryColleges and Universities
Former Trump advisor: ‘Conservatives’ risk killing America’s golden goose by taxing university research
By Tomas J. PhilipsonMarch 28, 2026
17 hours ago
Big TechElon Musk
Elon Musk’s name alone is turning Nashville residents against his tunnel project, survey shows
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezMarch 28, 2026
19 hours ago

Most Popular

Success
Meetings are not work, says Southwest Airlines CEO—and he’s taking action by blocking his calendar every afternoon from Wednesday to Friday 
By Fortune EditorsMarch 27, 2026
2 days ago
Economy
U.S. debt suddenly draws weaker demand as $10 trillion must be rolled over this year amid Iran war. 'The bond market remains undefeated'
By Fortune EditorsMarch 28, 2026
12 hours ago
Economy
The stay-at-home boyfriend is now an economic trend as more women than men go to work
By Fortune EditorsMarch 28, 2026
17 hours ago
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of March 27, 2026
By Fortune EditorsMarch 27, 2026
2 days ago
Europe
413,793 KitKat bars stolen: 'Whilst we appreciate the criminals’ exceptional taste, the fact remains that cargo theft is an escalating issue'
By Fortune EditorsMarch 28, 2026
8 hours ago
AI
Meet a 29-year-old blue-collar founder who used AI to triple his revenue in 3 years
By Fortune EditorsMarch 28, 2026
17 hours 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.