Huawei Surpasses Apple As Global Leader In Wrist-Worn Device Market

Huawei global shipments of smartwatches and wristbands during the Q1-Q3 2024 period amounted to 23.6 million units and has a 16.9% market share.

Apple Watch is no longer the global leader in the wrist-worn device (smartwatches and wristbands) market.

According to International Data Corporation (IDC) report, Huawei led the global market for wearable shipments during the Q1–Q3 2024 period, shipping 23.6 million units and capturing a 16.9% market share. Its Watch GT5 series and Watch D2 were particularly well-received by consumers in key markets.

The company also appears to have benefited from the rapid expansion of the wearable market in China, which has become the largest in the world, with 45.8 million units sold during this period.

(credit: IDC)

Apple ranked second, with 22.5 million shipments and a 16.2% global market share. However, its shipments declined by 12.8% year-over-year, primarily due to intense competition from rival brands.

Xiaomi secured third place with 20.5 million units sold and a 14.7% market share. This success was driven by the popularity of its Xiaomi Smart Band 9, as well as contributions from its premium Xiaomi Watch S4, which supported a notable growth of 26.5%.

Samsung also experienced growth, achieving a 24.3% increase in shipments to 11.5 million units, representing an 8.3% market share. According to IDC, this growth can be attributed to Samsung’s diversified product lineup, which spans devices like the Galaxy Fit3 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra.