Huawei Overtakes Apple in Global Smartwatch Market

The global smartwatch market has just witnessed a major shakeup: for the first time, Apple is no longer on top.

Huawei has officially overtaken the Cupertino giant to become the world’s leading smartwatch vendor in Q2 2025, thanks to booming demand in its home country.

According to new market research, overall smartwatch shipments grew by 8% year-over-year after five straight quarters of decline. The surge was largely powered by China, where consumers are increasingly turning to smartwatches not just as fitness trackers but as all-in-one devices for health, payments, communication, and navigation. Local brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi, and Imoo have been at the forefront of this transformation.

Huawei’s rise has been remarkable. Shipments soared 52% compared to last year – the fastest growth among the top 10 global players. With most of its sales concentrated in China and a strong portfolio priced between $100 and $400, the company struck a balance between affordability and premium appeal. Coupled with the strength of its smartphone ecosystem and the rapid adoption of HarmonyOS, Huawei successfully knocked Apple off the global throne for the very first time.

Meanwhile, Apple finds itself in a rare slump. The company’s smartwatch shipments declined for the seventh consecutive quarter, reflecting a slowdown in demand as users await new models. Despite losing the top spot, Apple still dominates the advanced smartwatch segment thanks to its loyal iOS ecosystem and higher-end features. Samsung, too, shared in the decline with a 3% year-over-year dip, further highlighting how Chinese players are capitalizing on shifting market dynamics.

Other notable movers include Xiaomi, which continues to dominate the entry-level segment with aggressively priced basic smartwatches, and Imoo, which holds a strong grip on the children’s smartwatch category. These brands demonstrate how diverse strategies are carving out growth opportunities even as established leaders struggle.

Looking forward, analysts expect the smartwatch market to expand by around 7% in 2025. Much of that growth will come from AI-powered health tracking, smarter sensors, and broader ecosystem integration across platforms like HarmonyOS, Wear OS, and WatchOS. With China now the largest contributor to advanced smartwatch shipments worldwide, the balance of power in wearable tech has clearly shifted eastward.

Apple, however, isn’t bowing out quietly. Its upcoming September 9 launch – featuring the Apple Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and Watch SE 3 – could spark a rebound. But for now, the crown belongs to Huawei.