Apple doesn't release sales figures so it is all speculation and not to get political but Business Insider is not the most credible source for news. Having said that I don't doubt the race is close but it is more a race of "losers". The sensor tech that Apple and other fitness watches use has a long way to go, I have tried several fitness watches. Once the Chinese satisfied their initial Swiss Automatic urge, they got over it pretty quickly.
not arguing...only a point of clarification re chinese watches... i wish newish member HONG KONG EDDIE would step in...but i think he posted to launch his new tool and must be busy...so here is ScottyB's take on " once the Chinese satisfied Swiss Automatic urge, they got over it pretty quickly "
MY UNDERSTANDING is for a pretty long while coinciding with very strong swiss watch sales... the presentation of a swiss watch was a necessary custom required to do business in china... these were not like I buy in the $100 - $1000 range...but more like $5,000-$20,000-
for a big dollar contract this was just a small amount of money ...and " customary " like baksheesh in other countries...
a couple years ago it is my understanding that the display of a swiss watch was prohibited by the PRC--
this factor is of singular importance...when combined with smart watch competition...and the fact that a wrist clock is now a duplicative discretionary time keeper because 99% of the population carries a mobile with time display--
the chinese did not lose the urge...but they are prohibited---
these factors caused the much lower earnings appearing in 2016...
industry chatter is playing up a 4% rebound driven by cost cutting and much lower prices...however; imho consolidation and cost cutting will predominate IMHO-