Apple’s wearable sales decline 19% in Q1 on lack of new AirPods, Watch ban

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) managed to retain the top spot in the global wearable devices market in the first-quarter of 2024, despite its shipments falling 18.9% to 20.6 million units, according to the International Data Corporation [IDC]. The iPhone-maker was held back by poor macroeconomic conditions, a temporary ban on certain watch models, and lack of major revisions to the AirPods lineup. Apple (AAPL) Watch import and sales to the U.S. were temporarily banned in December last year after the International Trade Commission determined that Apple (AAPL) used a blood oxygen technology that infringed on patents held by Masimo (MASI). “The lack…