Fitbit shipped 22.5 million devices in 2016

A recent report by well-known market research firm IDC reveals that the global wearables market had an excellent 2016, having recorded a 16.9 percent growth year over year in the last quarter. For the entire year, shipments grew by 25 percent, but the leading brand remained unchanged.

Fitbit managed to hold the crown for both the entire year and its closing quarter, but IDC also reports that the American brand "faced one of its largest declines ever as it remained heavily focused on the U.S., a market that is quickly approaching saturation for fitness trackers." Dropping from a market share of 29 percent and 8.4 million units shipped in Q42015 to 19.2 percent and 6.5 million shipments in Q42016, Fitbit had a negative growth year over year of 22.7 percent.

At the end of the year, the entire wearable market accounted for 102.4 million units shipped, up from 81.9 million during 2015. Fitbit came in first place with 22.5 million units shipped, 2.4 percent higher than the 22 million recorded in 2015.

The second place goes to Xiaomi, with 15.7 million units shipped in 2016. At last, it should be noted that the next Apple, Garmin, and Samsung, holding the next three places, only shipped 22.3 million units combined.