Global smartwatch shipments rose 4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research.
The average selling price also climbed 6%, driven by advanced sensors, AI features, 5G RedCap, and satellite connectivity.
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Apple maintained its global lead with a 23% market share and recorded the fastest growth among top brands, with shipments up 21%.
Analyst Anshika Jain attributed this to the Apple Watch SE 3, which attracted new users with its affordable price and upgraded health tracking including sleep monitoring, mood tracking, and arrhythmia detection.
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China's Smartwatch Boom
China emerged as a key growth market, with smartwatch shipments jumping 15% year-on-year. Huawei dominated the region with roughly 40% market share, followed by Imoo and Xiaomi.
Huawei's success stems from a wide price range, deep integration with its HarmonyOS ecosystem, and a strong focus on health features such as sleep tracking, emotional wellbeing, and arrhythmia detection.
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Government subsidies on electronics also boosted upgrades and adoption.
Thanks to its strong performance in China, Huawei secured a 17% global market share, placing it second worldwide.
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The market continues to shift toward intelligent, health-focused devices as AI and smarter sensors become standard. However, companies must navigate supply issues and pricing challenges amid intensifying competition.
