Huawei has overtaken Apple to become the leading smartwatch brand globally, holding a 16.9% market share compared to Apple’s 16.2% as of September 2024. This shift is driven by a 20% increase in wearable purchases in China, where Huawei and Xiaomi are experiencing significant sales growth. Huawei’s sales surged by 44% year-over-year, while Apple’s dropped over 12%. Despite this, the global wearable market has contracted slightly, particularly in the U.S.
Huawei Takes the Lead in Smartwatch Market
Recent insights from the International Data Corporation (IDC) reveal that Apple has dropped to second place in the global smartwatch and fitness tracker market. As of September 2024, Huawei has claimed the top spot, edging out Apple with a market share of 16.9% compared to Apple’s 16.2%.
This shift signifies a notable change from the previous year, primarily fueled by a surge in demand within the Chinese market, where wearable purchases have risen by 20%. Chinese consumers are increasingly gravitating towards domestic brands like Huawei and Xiaomi, boosting their sales significantly.
Market Dynamics and Sales Figures
Huawei’s impressive growth is highlighted by a 44% increase in wearable sales year-over-year, while Apple’s market share has decreased by over 12%. The gap between the two competitors is approximately one million devices: Huawei sold 23.6 million units, whereas Apple managed to sell around 22.5 million new Apple Watches.
Xiaomi has also seen growth from the smartwatch boom in China, capturing a market share of 14.7%, while Samsung holds 8.3%. IDC’s analysis indicates that BBK Electronics, which encompasses brands such as Vivo, Oppo, and OnePlus, ranks fifth in the market.
Despite the robust performance in China, the global wearable market has experienced a slight contraction of over 1%, particularly in the saturated U.S. market. As consumers continue to explore their options, brands must adapt to these shifting dynamics to maintain competitiveness.