Global smartwatch shipments grew an impressive 44% annually to reach 12 million units in Q2, according to research from Strategy Analytics.

Apple Watch maintained its number one position with 46% global market share, Samsung returned to second place while Fitbit slumped to third.

Strategy Analytics said global smartwatch shipments grew an impressive 44% annually from 8.6 million units in Q2 2018 to 12.3 million in Q2 2019.

Smartwatch growth continues to soar, as consumers increasingly accessorise their smartphones with fitness-led wearables.

Apple shipped 5.7 million smartwatches worldwide in Q2 2019, rising an above-average 50% from 3.8 million in Q2 2018.

Samsung shipped 2.0 million smartwatches worldwide in the same period more than doubling from 0.9 million a year ago. Samsung’s global smartwatch market share has jumped from 11% to 16% during the past year.

Fitbit shipped 1.2 million smartwatches dipping from 1.3 million in Q2. Fitbit captured 10% global smartwatch market share slumping from 15% a year ago.

Garmin, Fossil and other competitors recorded around 3.4 million shipments to bring up the rear.