​All eyes on Apple Watch as shipments surpass 7 million

That number falls shy of a few Wall Street analysts’ expectations for Apple’s first new device category since 2010.

Meanwhile, Fitbit managed to realise sequential growth in Q3, and its Charge HR band has continued to perform strongly since its introduction, although one can only wonder how much stronger sales would have been had Apple Watch not existed, especially seeing as Fitbit’s Charge and Surge models are worthy upgrades to the original Fitbit models.

Availability of the smartwatch in India comes shortly after research firm Canalys claimed Apple has shipped almost 7 million smartwatches since launch. According to news report, In just six months Apple has shipped more Apple Watches than all its rival wearable makers combined have managed in over a year. The firm specifically calls out Pebble as having shipped a mere 200,000 watches (though in fairness the company struggled with manufacturing issues as it tried to fulfill Kickstarter orders.) Sales of Samsung’s Gear smartwatches have also slowed ahead of the markedly-improved Gear S2.

The focus for all wearable makes now falls on the crucial holiday season, which will see new smartwatch entrants from Fossil and Tag Heuer.

I wish I could have a failure like the Apple Watch!

For basic bands, Fitbit and Xiaomi led the market in the third quarter. Xiaomi’s Michigan Band passed 10 million cumulative shipments during the quarter. Shipments are steadily increasing as it has greatly expanded the Watch’s channel footprint internationally’.

In addition, Chris Jones, the firm’s principal analyst, notes that the release of watchOS 2, which allows Apple’s smartwatches to support apps natively without the need to be tethered to a phone and the addition of more styles and colors, have refreshed the smartwatch lineup. However, if well received in India, it would be a win-win situation for Apple.

Speaking to CNBC, Pebble CEO Eric Migicovsky says Apple Watch has had “no material impact” on Pebble.