Garmin grows market share as smartwatch trends shift toward sports and wellness

The smartwatch and fitness tracker market is undergoing a shift as consumers move toward specialized devices. According to data from Omdia, the market is bifurcating into two distinct categories: advanced sports watches and simple trackers without displays.

Garmin has seen significant growth in the sports segment, with its market share increasing from 11% to 15% year-over-year. This growth is driven by demand for precise training data and advanced performance metrics. In contrast, Apple maintains a leading market share of 46%, while Samsung holds 15%.

Innovation is also expanding into the wellness sector. Motorola has introduced new features focused on recovery and mental well-being, such as real-time biofeedback for breathing exercises, sleep stage tracking, and autonomic nervous system monitoring. These devices aim to balance physical activity tracking with tools for relaxation and sleep quality management. Newer models are also integrating LTE connectivity via eSIM and advanced AI integration to reduce phone dependency.