Market Trend Report - Smartwatches

Overview

The U.S. electronics manufacturing sector has been a major contributor to global hardware production. Consistently ranking among the top countries submitting FCC ID applications. This summary tries to provide a clear view of the shifting landscape of electronics manufacturing in the United States.

A Steady Contributor to Global Electronics

Data on the top countries submitting FCC IDs shows that the United States remains a significant global player in electronics production. Although it has faced fluctuations over the past five years. From 2019-2023, overall US FCC ID submissions decreased by 5%. Over the same period, China saw a dramatic increase in its FCC submissions. Reaching a peak of 12,768 in 2022, a 101x increase from 2019.

While China’s dominance has increased, the United States continues to show consistent contributions to the market. Demonstrating its focus on quality and market-targeted innovations rather than sheer volume. However, the slight decline in devices in 2022 and 2023 may signal that U.S. manufacturers are being selective in their product launches. Possibly focusing more on fewer, high-impact releases.

Leading U.S. Manufacturers in 2023

Apple Inc. led with 46 FCC submissions, followed closely by Garmin International Inc. with 42 submissions. These companies are the US leaders in consumer technology. Contributing with new devices in the areas of health, fitness, and everyday tech essentials.

Feit Electric Company, mainly known for its smart home products, followed closely behind the two tech giants. This reflects continued interest in connected home devices. Especially those involving smart lighting and home automation. Motorola is still chugging along in device submissions. Highlighting its sustained focus on expanding and innovating.

Focus on Smartphones and Consumer Devices

Motorola Mobility LLC leads the total count of smartphones submitted by US companies. Significantly ahead of BLU Products, Inc. and Apple Inc. This indicates that Motorola has been aggressive in targeting various segments of the U.S. market, likely aiming at both affordable and mid-range categories.

Google, despite its influence in the smartphone space with the Pixel lineup, has had a modest amount of submissions over the past five years. This points to a focused strategy of fewer but highly differentiated releases.

Overall FCC Submissions: Trends Over the Decade

Over the past decade, US FCC ID submission has grown modestly at 42%. The trend has been growing, albeit less than the manufacturing behemoth that is China. This rate could reflect changing market conditions, including economic uncertainty and shifts in consumer demand. A trend likely to continue is U.S. manufacturers focusing on fewer but potentially more innovative products.

Key Insights and Trends

Sustained Activity with Strategic Focus: U.S. manufacturers continue to submit a steady number of FCC applications, focusing on higher-value products, as opposed to the sheer volume seen from countries like China. This points to a strategy aimed at quality, differentiation, and niche market opportunities.

Diverse Players Leading Innovation: Companies like Apple and Garmin lead in terms of submissions, while other players such as Motorola and Feit Electric show strong footprints in consumer electronics and smart home tech. This diversity highlights that the U.S. market remains competitive across various segments—from smartphones to smart home innovations.

Fluctuating Smartphone Submissions: While Motorola and BLU Products have focused on high-volume smartphone releases, Apple and Google prefer fewer, more strategic launches, targeting specific consumer experiences. This indicates different approaches to market positioning—Motorola focuses on breadth, while Apple and Google focus on differentiation.

This analysis reveals a consistent trend of strategic, targeted innovation by electronics companies in the US. With a mix of high-profile brands like Apple and Motorola and some emerging names in smart home and consumer electronics, the U.S. electronics sector remains dynamic and influential. As the market continues to evolve, expect more focus on specialized hardware, cross-category innovation, and technologies that meet emerging consumer needs.

FCC IDs (2023)

385

Market Sizing

Total Device Submissions
Source: FCC.gov
2023 Growth (2022-2023)
21%
3 - Year Growth
5 - Year Growth

Active Companies - Smartwatches
Top Manufacturers
Apple Inc.
Shenzhen DO Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.
Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
KRONOZ
Source: FCC.gov
Market Players

Geographic Breakdown

FCC ID Regional Distribution - Smartwatches
Source: FCC.gov