The International Data Corporation (IDC) has released a new forecast that reveals the expected wearable device shipments in this year as 45.7 million unit, up 133.4% from the 19.6 million units shipped in 2014. It will reach 126.1 million units by 2019, up 45.1%, says IDC. The total volume of smart wearables will reach 25.7 million units in 2015, up a 510.9% from the 4.2 million units shipped in 2014, it adds.
These smart wearables are devices that run third-party apps, and wearable that do not run third party applications will grow reach 20 million units, up 30% YoY from 15.4 million in 2015, it says. Wrist-worn wearables, including bands, bracelets, and watches, will account for more than 80% of all wearable device shipments in 2015. The main reason of this is the price, which has come down so significantly in some markets.
Wearables in the form of Modular devices and Clothing will also increase. Clothing is expected to grow the fastest as companies embed items like shirts, socks, hats, and other products with computing power. Eyewear will catch on among enterprise users within select vertical markets and will comprise a small part of the overall market as earphones expand from audio to include health and fitness features, says IDC. Check out the chart that forecasts the growth and market share from 2014-2019.