ON World

Consumers Prefer Fitbit Over the Apple Watch 2 to 1

ON World’s recent survey with 1,000+ U.S. consumers found that early adopters know the price and features of Apple’s smartwatch but they are choosing Fitbit over the Apple Watch by more than 2 times for activity tracking.


San Diego, CA, April 29, 2015— Fitness early adopters know the price and features of the Apple Watch but they are choosing Fitbit over the Apple Watch by more than two times, according to a recently completed survey by global technology firm ON World.

“Most activity trackers are one third the price of the lowest priced Apple smartwatch making Apple’s current offering too expensive for mainstream sports and fitness consumers,” says Mareca Hater, ON World’s research director.  “Female early adopters in particular prefer the form and fashion features of the Apple Watch but are still choosing Fitbit over Apple by 3 to 1.”  

In a survey completed last week, ON World asked 1,000+ U.S. consumers which wearable sports and fitness device they planned to use for activity tracking within the next two years including the Apple Watch, Fitbit, Samsung Gear, Microsoft Band and Misfit.  After months of media buzz and the official Apple Watch launch the Fitbit was chosen by 48% of likely activity tracker adopters compared with 21% for the Apple Watch.

Fitness is the most important app for wearables according to ON World’s 2015 consumer survey with 1,000+ U.S. consumers.  ON World’s recently published report covers the mobile sensing sports and fitness segment of this emerging ecosystem that will have $10.5 billion in annual revenues this year. Thirty-nine percent (39%) of likely wearable consumers are interested in activity trackers, 22% more than ON World’s previous survey. 

Another key finding from ON World’s recently published report is the emergence of the Microsoft Band.  The Microsoft Band went from zero visibility in ON World’s 2014 survey to equaling the Pebble in terms of consumers’ future purchase consideration.

By the end of 2019, over 1 billion mobile sensing devices that support sports and fitness will have been shipped worldwide.

ON World’s report, Mobile Sensing Sports & Fitness, covers the global market for mobile sensing systems for sports and fitness including market/competitive analysis and global forecasts for seven product segments including smartwatches, activity trackers, heart rate monitors, speed/cadence sensors and other performance monitors. 

More information and a free executive summary is available from ON World’s website.

About ON World:
ON World provides global business intelligence on smart technology markets. Since 2002, our research reports and information services are used by Fortune 1000 companies, startups and investors worldwide.

Media contact:
Mary Purvis
e: purvis at onworld.com
ph: 858-259-2397

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