The Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch.

The hotly anticipated Apple Watch is just one wearable, but its high profile will help boost the wearables market overall for years to come.

That’s the latest report from International Data Corp. released today. The IDC reports that about 45.7 million units will ship this year, a 133.4 percent increase from 19.6 million units shipped in 2014. By 2019, the agency forecasts that annual sales number will reach 126 million units.

“The Apple Watch raises the profile of wearables in general and there are many vendors and devices that are eager to share the spotlight,” the IDC reports. “Basic wearables, meanwhile, will not disappear. In fact, we anticipate continued growth here as many segments of the market seek out simple, single-use wearable devices.”

Photo via IDC
Photo via IDC

The IDC takes into account both smart wearables, aka devices running third-party apps, and simple, one-use wearables. Smart wearables will continue to grow, the IDC projecting that they will account for 25.7 million units sold this year, up from 4.2 million sold in 2014. Basic wearables will move about 20 million units this year, up from 15.4 million in 2014. And “wrist-worn wearables, including bands, bracelets, and watches,” will dominate, with more than 80 percent of items moved being in this category.

 

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