Huawei has overtaken Apple to become the global leader in the smartwatch market

Apple has been leading the smartwatch market for a long time, but now it has been displaced from the top spot. Unexpectedly, Chinese giant Huawei has managed to overtake Apple to become the largest smartwatch manufacturer in the world.

Huawei has overtaken Apple in terms of shipments

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Although Apple has been the leading player in the wearable device market with its premium Apple Watch lineup, Chinese company Huawei has managed to overtake the lead. According to a report by IDC, Huawei overtook Apple in smartwatch shipments from the first quarter to the third quarter of 2024. The Chinese company captured 16.9 percent of the market, shipping 23.6 million smartwatches, while Apple shipped 22.5 million units, which accounted for 16.2 percent of the market.

Huawei’s smartwatch model was the most popular smartwatch in the world.

Chinese market growth and Huawei’s success

The Chinese smartwatch market recorded an impressive 23.3% year-on-year growth, while other major markets such as India and the US showed a decline in demand. Huawei saw a 44.3% growth in the three quarters of 2024, driven by popular models such as Watch GT5, Watch GT5 Pro and Watch D2. Apple, on the other hand, showed a 12.8% year-on-year decline.

Huawei’s Watch GT5, Watch GT5 Pro and Watch D2 were the most popular models.

Competitors in the market

Xiaomi ranked third, while Samsung and BBK placed fourth and fifth respectively. This smartwatch report comes right after another one regarding the Chinese smartphone market. Although Apple has lost the top spot in the wearable market, it continues to dominate the Chinese smartwatch market, overtaking Huawei in the third quarter of 2024, despite competing with that brand in its home country.

Apple’s smartwatch market in China is the largest in the world.