The latest IDC report has revealed that the global wrist-worn device market, which encompasses smartwatches and fitness bands, saw total shipments reach 139 million units during the first three quarters of 2024. This represents a slight decline of 1% compared to the previous year, primarily attributed to saturation in major markets such as the United States and India.
China emerged as a significant player in the wrist-worn device sector, recording shipments of approximately 45.8 million units—a robust 20% increase year-on-year. Among these, smartwatches constituted 32.9 million units, marking a notable 23.3% growth over the past year.
Leading the pack in global shipments for this period was Huawei, which delivered 23.6 million units, capturing a market share of 16.9%. The brand's popular GT5 series and Watch D2 offerings resonated well with consumers across various regions.
Apple followed closely behind with 22.5 million shipments, resulting in a 16.2% market share. However, the company experienced a decline of 12.8% in shipments compared to the previous year, largely due to increased competition in the market.
In third place was Xiaomi, with shipments totaling 20.5 million and a market share of 14.7%. Samsung followed with 11.5 million units (8.3% market share), while the BBK group, which includes Oppo, vivo, OnePlus, and Realme, recorded 7.8 million units and a 5.6% market share.
Looking forward, IDC anticipates that the Chinese wrist-worn device market will grow by 3.2% year-on-year, reaching 62.5 million shipments by 2025. Analysts predict a diversification in sales channels along with advancements in health sensor technology and personalization features.
