Huawei leads global smartwatch market in 2026

Huawei has secured the top position in the global smartwatch and wrist-worn device market for the first half of 2026, according to reports from IDC and Counterpoint Research. Huawei captured a market share of approximately 21.8% to 22%, driven largely by strong demand in mainland China, which accounted for roughly 80% of its total shipments.

Despite a 4% year-over-year contraction in the overall global smartwatch market during the second quarter of 2026, Apple recorded significant growth. Apple's shipments increased by 14%, bringing its market share to 20.1%. This growth was primarily fueled by the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch SE 3.

Other manufacturers saw varied results: Imoo maintained a stable market share of approximately 7.8%, while Garmin saw an 11% increase in shipments. Conversely, Xiaomi experienced a sharp 38% decline in annual sales growth, resulting in a 6.1% market share. Analysts attribute the broader market decline to waning interest in entry-level models and longer replacement cycles among premium users awaiting advanced health features.