Smartwatch Sales Will Swell to Over 50m in 2020

In its Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker, IDC estimates total shipments of smartwatches (which IDC categorises as wearables that can run apps) will reach 20.1 million units in 2016, up 3.9% on last year, but says volumes will grow to 54.6 million units with a total value of $17.8 billion dollars in 2020. The market for basic wearables (that can’t run apps) is expected to be 80.7 million units this year and 147.8 million in 2020.