In a notable shift in the wearable tech market, Huawei has overtaken Apple as the leader in global wrist-worn device shipments.
According to the latest data from the International Data Corporation (IDC), the total number of wrist-worn devices shipped globally, including fitness bands and smartwatches, reached 139 million units in the first three quarters of 2024, showing a slight 1% decline from the previous year. Huawei’s shipments surged by 44.3%, with 23.6 million units sold, marking a strong recovery for the Chinese tech giant.
While smartwatch shipments worldwide fell by 3.8%, the fitness tracker category saw a positive growth of 12.7%, with 26.8 million units shipped. Apple remains a leader in premium smartwatches, particularly with the Apple Watch Series 10, but its market share has been affected by its lack of participation in the fitness band market, where budget-friendly alternatives are gaining traction.
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Samsung, with its strategy targeting multiple price points, saw a 24.3% increase in shipments, helping it maintain its fourth-place position. Other brands, including Xiaomi and BBK (the parent company of OPPO, OnePlus, and Vivo), also experienced growth, with increases of 26.5% and 25.9%, respectively.
Despite an overall market slowdown, China has emerged as a key growth driver, contributing significantly to the global wearable market with a 20.1% year-over-year increase in shipments. This rise in demand from China has offset declines in other regions like India and the U.S.
As the wearable market continues to evolve, experts suggest that this slowdown may present an opportunity for brands to innovate and diversify their product offerings to attract a broader customer base.
