Huawei beats Apple, dominates wrist-worn device market for most of 2024: IDC

Huawei Overtakes Apple in Global Wrist-Worn Device Market

In a surprising turn of events, Huawei has surpassed Apple to become the leading brand in the global wrist-worn wearable market for the first three quarters of 2024, according to a recent report by the International Data Corporation (IDC).

While Apple briefly regained the top spot in the third quarter with the launch of its Watch Series 10, IDC suggests that Huawei has now secured a firm lead. This development highlights the growing competitive pressure in the wearable technology market and signals that Apple will need to innovate and refine its Apple Watch offerings to maintain its dominance.

Huawei has managed to outpace Apple in the wrist-worn device segment. (Image Source: IDC)

Other Key Findings from the Report

The IDC report also sheds light on the performance of other major players in the wrist-worn device market:

• Xiaomi secured the third spot with an impressive 26.5% year-over-year growth. This surge can be attributed to the successful launch of the Xiaomi Band 9 and the Xiaomi Watch S series, which helped the company penetrate the premium segment.
• Samsung experienced a 24.3% year-over-year growth thanks to its seventh-generation wrist-worn devices. The Galaxy Fit 3 and Galaxy Watch FE contributed significantly to Samsung’s sales performance.
• BBK Electronics, known for its children’s smartwatches, made its mark in the fifth spot, indicating a potential expansion into broader markets beyond its core focus.

In terms of regional performance:

• China emerged as the largest market for wrist-worn devices, with 45.8 million units shipped, signifying a 20.1% year-over-year growth.
• However, sales figures in India and the United States declined compared to the previous year.