Apple Watch Sees Second Year of Shipment Decline Amid Stagnant Upgrades and No New Model: Report

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Apple Watch Shipments Dip Again Amid Lack of Innovation and Product Gaps

Apple is reportedly facing a continued decline in demand for its smartwatch lineup, with 2024 marking the second straight year of shrinking shipments. Market research indicates that one of the hardest-hit regions is North America—Apple’s largest market—where the drop in sales has been particularly steep. Analysts attribute this slump to a lack of new product launches and minimal upgrades in the current Apple Watch range, leaving consumers with little incentive to upgrade.

According to data from Counterpoint Research’s Global Smartwatch Shipment Tracker for Q4 2024, Apple Watch shipments fell by 19% year-over-year. This marks the fifth consecutive quarter of declining performance for the company in the wearables segment. While Apple’s shipment numbers slipped, several Chinese manufacturers gained momentum, closing the gap in the competitive global smartwatch market. Notably, Apple’s market share dropped by 8 percentage points over the past year, largely due to weakened performance in North America, which typically accounts for over half of its annual smartwatch sales.

A major reason behind this dip appears to be Apple’s subdued product strategy. The Apple Watch Series 10, launched last year, introduced only minor improvements, failing to generate enthusiasm among potential buyers. Furthermore, Apple skipped launching two key models—the Apple Watch SE (3rd Gen), a popular budget-friendly variant, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, its premium flagship that contributes over 10% of the company’s smartwatch sales. The absence of these models left noticeable gaps in Apple’s product portfolio, affecting shipment volumes significantly.

Compounding the issue, Apple has also been navigating legal challenges related to the Watch’s health-tracking features. A patent dispute with medical tech firm Masimo over blood oxygen sensor technology led to a temporary sales halt in the U.S. To comply with legal rulings, Apple later disabled the SpO2 functionality on some models. These setbacks, combined with muted hardware changes and fewer product releases, appear to have weakened Apple’s grip on the smartwatch market, even as rivals step up innovation and affordability in the segment.

Sony WH-1000XM6 Leak Reveals Pricing and Key Specs, Including Up to 30-Hour Battery Life

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Sony is gearing up to launch the WH-1000XM6 headphones, the anticipated successor to the popular WH-1000XM5 model. Although Sony has yet to officially confirm the release date, key details about the new wireless headset have already surfaced online. The WH-1000XM6 is expected to debut at a higher price point compared to its predecessor, reflecting upgraded features and enhanced audio performance. The WH-1000XM5 originally launched globally in May 2022 and arrived in India later that September, setting a high bar for its successor.

According to recent leaks, the WH-1000XM6 headphones could launch in select markets as early as May 15. Pricing rumors suggest the headset will retail for around EUR 449.99 in countries like France and Germany, and slightly higher at EUR 469.99 in Spain and Portugal. In the UK, the expected price is about GBP 399.99, while US customers may see a price tag near $449.99. Battery life is expected to improve, with the WH-1000XM6 offering up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge. Additionally, a quick charge of just three minutes could provide an hour of listening time, with charging via a USB Type-C port.

The headphones are said to feature Sony’s QN3 processor, which dynamically adjusts active noise cancellation based on the surrounding environment. Along with active noise cancellation, the WH-1000XM6 is rumored to include an Ambient Sound Mode and a Talk Mode, allowing users to stay aware of their surroundings or engage in conversations without removing the headset. Other expected features include touch controls for easy navigation, wear detection to pause playback when removed, and call noise reduction to improve voice clarity.

In terms of audio hardware, the WH-1000XM6 may be equipped with 30mm carbon fiber dome drivers designed to deliver rich sound quality. The headset is expected to support Hi-Res Audio, LDAC codec, as well as popular formats like SBC, AAC, and LC3. It will likely cover a wide frequency range from 4Hz to 40kHz, catering to audiophiles and casual listeners alike. Compatibility with Sony’s Sound Connect app is anticipated, providing users with 10-band equalizer customization and personalized sound settings.

Report: Apple Watch SE Set for Upgrade With Larger Screens and Case Sizes

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Apple’s affordable Watch SE lineup appears to be on the brink of a major refresh, according to a new report. The last model in the SE series was launched in 2022, following the debut of the original in 2020. Now, new information suggests that Apple is preparing to introduce larger displays and bigger case sizes for the next-generation Watch SE. This would mark one of the most notable upgrades for the budget-friendly wearable, which traditionally maintained a more compact and conservative design compared to Apple’s flagship models.

The latest update comes via analyst Ross Young, Vice President at Counterpoint Research, who shared insights into the upcoming SE model’s screen specifications. In a note reported by 9to5Mac, Young claims the next Apple Watch SE is already in production—indicating that an official launch may be just around the corner. According to the analyst, the refreshed SE models will feature 1.6-inch and 1.8-inch displays, slightly larger than the current 1.57-inch and 1.78-inch offerings. This aligns with rumors suggesting Apple may shift the SE to match the 41mm and 45mm case sizes found in previous-generation flagship models.

The current Watch SE (2022) already received a performance bump by adopting the Apple S8 SiP, the same chip used in the Series 8. That move helped close the performance gap between the SE and standard Apple Watch models, making the lower-cost model even more appealing. Now, with larger displays and potentially larger casings on the horizon, Apple seems poised to further enhance the SE’s value while maintaining a clear distinction between its budget and premium devices.

Interestingly, this display and size shift for the Watch SE appears to be part of a broader product segmentation strategy. With the Apple Watch Series 10 adopting new 42mm and 46mm sizes and pushing display boundaries—featuring even larger panels than the Watch Ultra 2—Apple may be repositioning the SE series to inherit the older flagship dimensions. This could serve to extend the lifespan of previous designs, while giving users more affordable access to larger and more immersive displays without encroaching on the top-tier lineup.