Step aside smartphones, it's wearables' time to shine (Morning Brew)

Step aside smartphones, it's wearables' time to shine. In Q3 2019, global wearable shipments jumped almost 95% year-over-year to 84.5 million, per new IDC data. 

The breakdown: The earwear category led with 40.7 million shipments; wristbands had 19.2 million; and smartwatches took bronze with 17.6 million. The island of misfit "others" had 7.1 million shipments. 

• Popularity and price are inversely correlated. On average, smart earbuds are the cheapest. And smart wristbands cost less than smartwatches, which is one reason why devices like fitness trackers are still more popular (though that may change soon).

Market leader(s)

Apple had 29.5 million wearable shipments, up nearly 200% year-over-year. Thanks to the dominance of AirPods, Watch, and Beats, Apple captured 35% of the wearables market. 

• The rest of the top five by Q3 shipments: Xiaomi (12.4 million), Samsung (8.3), Huawei (7.1), and Fitbit (3.5). 

Bottom line: Wearables are Apple's game to lose. If spun out into a standalone company, AirPods alone could be one of the top 50 most valuable companies in the U.S.