- Global smartwatch shipments grew 4% YoY in Q1 2026, driven by continued Apple adoption and the China market’s recovery.
- Apple shipments rose 21% YoY, the fastest growth among the Top 10 brands.
- Following the extension of the Chinese Government’s electronics subsidy and the rise of local demand, Huawei and other Chinese brands regained momentum.
- Rising memory prices are expected to have a more limited impact on smartwatches given their lower BoM costs.
Seoul, New Delhi, Beijing, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Fort Collins, Hong Kong, London, Taipei, Tokyo –
Global smartwatch shipments grew 4% YoY in Q1 2026, according to Counterpoint Research’s Global Smartwatch Shipments Tracker, Q1 2026. The market growth was primarily driven by continued global adoption of Apple’s newest portfolio and growing demand for premium devices with advanced health tracking capabilities. Additionally, the growth of the China market, led by Huawei’s ecosystem push and government subsidies, encouraged consumer upgrades and strengthened overall demand.
Commenting on Apple’s performance, Counterpoint Research’s Principal Analyst Anshika Jain said, “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. While North America contributed over half of the total shipments of Apple, China and Europe recorded the fastest growth for the brand. The addition of meaningful health upgrades and the affordable SE 3 attracted new buyers.”
Global Smartwatch Shipments Market Share, Q1 2025 vs Q1 2026
Source: Counterpoint Research Global Smartwatch Shipments Tracker, Q1 2026
China’s smartwatch shipments grew 15% YoY in Q1 2026. This growth has been largely driven by Huawei’s performance in the market, where the company accounts for ~40% of shipment share, followed by Imoo and Xiaomi. Consumer preference for health-related features, growing adoption of local brands along with government support through the electronics subsidy scheme, have contributed to China’s overall growth. Huawei’s increased focus on health features such as sleep tracking, emotional wellbeing monitoring, and arrhythmia analysis, expansion across price tiers, and seamless ecosystem integration supported its growth.
Emphasizing the rising ASP, Jain added, “Smartwatches’ ASP rose by 6% YoY in Q1 2026. The major drivers were the integration of improved sensors and advanced technologies to support health monitoring and AI capabilities. In addition, consumers’ transition from basic smartwatches to advanced smartwatches in emerging markets like India is also driving the overall ASP growth.”
The smartwatch market regained momentum in 2025 after a slowdown in 2024. This recovery was driven by brands introducing a variety of new features, such as satellite connectivity, 5G RedCap, AI capabilities, and more advanced health tracking for conditions like sleep apnea and hypertension. This has helped build strong growth momentum in the market. However, recent memory shortages and macro-economic factors are expected to slightly impact the overall growth rate for 2026. Even so, the effect is likely to be less severe than in other consumer electronics segments, supported by comparatively higher margins in premium smartwatches. As a result, the smartwatch market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3% through 2030.
