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Apple Vs. Fitbit: Which Do You Choose?

Nov. 29, 2017 4:08 PM ET
Please Note: Blog posts are not selected, edited or screened by Seeking Alpha editors.

By Nikita Patel

Nikita Patel is an undergraduate student majoring in Supply Chain Management in the Eli Broad School of Business at Michigan State University.

Since the release of the Apple Watch in April 2015, Fitbit (Sym: FIT) has been in constant competition to one-up Apple (Sym: AAPL). Fitbit developed their first smartwatch, the Ionic, in late August 2017. At the same time, Apple launched a new version of the Apple Watch, the Series 3. The Series 3 involves a large upgrade; the cellular LTE option. The cellular LTE options allows an individual to use their Apple Watch as a regular phone, with cellular LTE.

The Chief Executive Officer of Apple, Timothy Cook, noted during an event that “its watches just beat Rolex to become the best-selling watchmaker in the world, with sales up 50% year-over-year.”

Fitbit released their first product, the Fitbit Flex, back in May 2013. The Fitbit is known to be the “21st-century pedometer.” Throughout the day when you are wearing the Fitbit, it logs a range of data about your physical activities, like the number of steps you take, distance traveled, and the calories burned. It even has sensitivity features which allows it to detect how vigorous your motions are, so it can therefore distinguish between different types of activity such as walking, jogging, etc.

Apple Watch is Born

Upon its launch, the Apple Watch quickly became the best-selling wearable device. The Apple Watch is known to be a “smaller version of your cellular device.” It allows wearers to do almost everything that a phone allows the person to do, right from the ease of his or her wrist. It has the ability to send texts, receive phone calls, and even check and reply to emails. Not only does it work as a phone, it does almost everything that a Fitbit does. It logs the number of steps you take, distance traveled, and calories burned.

Figure 1: Apple Watch Revenues 2015 – 2016

Source: 9To5Mac Ben Lovejoy

Apple Watch 2016 revenues doubled those of the year prior. With the new features found on the recently released Apple Watches, price does not appear to deter consumer demand for the product.


So, what does this mean for the Fitbit? Although there are people who love the Apple Watch, there are many who prefer a Fitbit over an Apple Watch. Fitbit revenues are continuing to increase as the data shows in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Fitbit Revenues 2013 – 2016


Source: Nasdaq

From 2013 to 2016, there has been a steady increase in revenue recorded for the Fitbit company.

Fitbit Fan-Base

Consumers find that the Fitbit is so simple to use. Many find it perfect for anyone of any age, whereas some might say the Apple Watch is only for people who are tech-savvy. Fitbit shows how many steps walked, miles walked, calories burned, minutes spent active, and battery life. The Fitbit also tracks how much you sleep, which is easily accessible through the Fitbit app on your cellular device.

The Fitbit even comes with a silent alarm feature, using small vibrations to wake you up or remind you to do small tasks throughout the day. Some versions of the Fitbit also have the ability to track a wearer’s heartrate.

Since the Fitbit operates very simply, the battery can last up to a week without needing to be charged again. Some prefer the simplicity of the Fitbit and its ease of use.

Why Not the Fitbit?

Just as there are people who prefer a Fitbit over an Apple Watch, there are also people who prefer an Apple Watch over a Fitbit. Some consumers claimed that Fitbit tried to make a watch just like the Apple Watch. Todd Haselton, the Technology Products Editor for CNBC, said,

“CNBC tested two different [Fitbit] units over the course of a week and walked away relatively unimpressed with what it offers for $299, compared to an entry-level Apple Watch that costs just $30 more.”

Haselton was dissatisfied with the bugs in the Fitbit program during his personal consumer test. He ended his review of the Fitbit Ionic by saying,

“I was happy to jump right back to my new Apple Watch Series 3, which does almost everything the Fitbit Ionic can do and more.”

Consumer product journalists like Haseltine might assume that the Apple Watch is going to beat the Fitbit in the market due to its perceived (and real) technological superiority. However, both Apple and Fitbit are showing significant revenue gains, thus indicating the market may be big enough for both company’s products – for now.

Sources

FIT Income Statement

Can Fitbit Survive Apple In The War For Your Wrist?

Apple Leadership - Tim Cook

The latest Fitbit can't match up to the Apple Watch

Asymco estimates Apple Watch sales at 33M total, predicts much more to come

Best Fitbit 2017: which is right for you?

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