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Global smartwatch shipments grew 4% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, driven by strong demand for Apple's latest devices and increasing consumer preference for premium wearables with advanced health features, according to Counterpoint Research.
Apple retained the top position with a 23% shipment share, benefiting from continued demand for its refreshed product lineup and the launch of the more affordable SE 3 model.
"Apple has captured the highest shipment share of 23% and emerged as the strongest performer in Q1 2026, driven by the continued success of its refreshed lineup," said Anshika Jain, principal analyst at Counterpoint Research. "While North America contributed over half of Apple's total shipments, China and Europe recorded the fastest growth. The addition of meaningful health upgrades and the affordable SE 3 attracted new buyers."
China emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets, with smartwatch shipments rising 15% year over year. Huawei accounted for around 40% of shipments in the country, followed by Imoo and Xiaomi.
Counterpoint attributed China's growth to increasing consumer interest in health-focused features, wider adoption of domestic brands and government electronics subsidies that encouraged device upgrades. Huawei's expanded portfolio, featuring capabilities such as sleep tracking, emotional wellbeing monitoring and arrhythmia analysis, also contributed to its performance.
The shift toward premium devices pushed smartwatch average selling prices (ASP) up 6% from a year earlier.
"The major drivers were the integration of improved sensors and advanced technologies to support health monitoring and AI capabilities," Jain said. "In addition, consumers' transition from basic smartwatches to advanced smartwatches in emerging markets like India is also driving the overall ASP growth."
According to Counterpoint, the smartwatch market regained momentum in 2025 after slowing in 2024 as vendors introduced features such as satellite connectivity, 5G RedCap support, AI capabilities and advanced health monitoring for conditions including sleep apnea and hypertension.
The research firm cautioned that memory shortages and broader macroeconomic pressures could moderate growth in 2026. However, the impact is expected to be less severe than in other consumer electronics categories because premium smartwatches continue to enjoy relatively higher margins.
Despite these headwinds, Counterpoint projects the global smartwatch market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3% through 2030.
Apple retained the top position with a 23% shipment share, benefiting from continued demand for its refreshed product lineup and the launch of the more affordable SE 3 model.
"Apple has captured the highest shipment share of 23% and emerged as the strongest performer in Q1 2026, driven by the continued success of its refreshed lineup," said Anshika Jain, principal analyst at Counterpoint Research. "While North America contributed over half of Apple's total shipments, China and Europe recorded the fastest growth. The addition of meaningful health upgrades and the affordable SE 3 attracted new buyers."
China emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets, with smartwatch shipments rising 15% year over year. Huawei accounted for around 40% of shipments in the country, followed by Imoo and Xiaomi.
Counterpoint attributed China's growth to increasing consumer interest in health-focused features, wider adoption of domestic brands and government electronics subsidies that encouraged device upgrades. Huawei's expanded portfolio, featuring capabilities such as sleep tracking, emotional wellbeing monitoring and arrhythmia analysis, also contributed to its performance.
The shift toward premium devices pushed smartwatch average selling prices (ASP) up 6% from a year earlier.
"The major drivers were the integration of improved sensors and advanced technologies to support health monitoring and AI capabilities," Jain said. "In addition, consumers' transition from basic smartwatches to advanced smartwatches in emerging markets like India is also driving the overall ASP growth."
According to Counterpoint, the smartwatch market regained momentum in 2025 after slowing in 2024 as vendors introduced features such as satellite connectivity, 5G RedCap support, AI capabilities and advanced health monitoring for conditions including sleep apnea and hypertension.
The research firm cautioned that memory shortages and broader macroeconomic pressures could moderate growth in 2026. However, the impact is expected to be less severe than in other consumer electronics categories because premium smartwatches continue to enjoy relatively higher margins.
Despite these headwinds, Counterpoint projects the global smartwatch market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3% through 2030.
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