Fitbit continues to dominate Apple in wearables - CNET

Sorry Apple, Fitbit remains the champ in the world of wearables.

About 12 percent of US consumers owned either a fitness band or a smartwatch as of March, according to a survey released Wednesday by Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. Among those consumers, Fitbit claims the largest chunk of the market, towering over Apple.

"Fitbit established itself as an early market leader, capturing 61.7 percent of the US installed base by communicating a clear and simple value proposition to consumers," Kantar wearable tech analyst Shaon Conway said in a statement. "Apple accounts for 6.8 percent of the total number of fitness band and smartwatch owners in the US."

Fitness bands made by Fitbit, Garmin and other companies lack the range of features found in smartwatches, but they offer a simplicity that is apparently attractive to consumers. Smartwatches may be more versatile, but many people don't see them as must-have devices yet.

Though smartwatch demand has been growing, fitness bands remain the top dog in the US. Three out of four wearable devices wo by people in the US fall into the fitness category. Just under 23 percent own a smartwatch.