Huawei has achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing Apple to emerge as the leading vendor in the global wrist-worn wearables market. A recent report from IDC China unveiled that Huawei's wearable shipments skyrocketed by over 44% year-on-year during the first three quarters of 2024, culminating in an impressive total of 23.6 million units sold. This extraordinary performance propelled Huawei to secure a significant 16.9% market share, placing it ahead of Apple, which managed to ship 22.5 million units, earning it a 16.2% market share—a decrease from the previous year’s 18.4%.

The upward trajectory continued throughout the year, with Huawei ultimately selling a total of 26.5 million wearables in 2024, which translated to a 13.7% share of the global market. The brand's success can be attributed to a series of popular product releases, including the Watch GT 5 series, Watch D2, and Watch Ultimate. These devices introduced the innovative TruSense health system, which significantly enhanced their appeal to health-conscious consumers and allowed Huawei to distinguish itself in an increasingly crowded and competitive landscape.

On the other hand, Apple, despite its ambitious launches of the Watch Series 10 and Watch Ultra 2, faced challenges with a 12.8% decline in shipments. While Apple remains the dominant player in the premium smartwatch segment, the overall volume of its units sold diminished, indicating a notable shift in consumer preferences, particularly in price-sensitive markets that are becoming progressively important. Xiaomi also demonstrated impressive growth in 2024, shipping 29.3 million devices and experiencing a remarkable 42.2% increase in its market share, securing the second position in total shipments.

The company's commitment to offering affordable fitness bands and smartwatches resonated strongly with budget-conscious buyers, further solidifying its market presence. Samsung positioned itself in fourth place, achieving an impressive shipment of 15.6 million units, which granted it an 8.1% market share—reflecting a significant 34.9% boost from the prior year. The release of new models like the Galaxy Watch FE played a pivotal role in helping Samsung regain its competitive edge.

Overall, the global wearables market demonstrated healthy growth of four percent in 2024, reaching an impressive total of 193 million units sold. This growth was largely driven by emerging markets, where consumers are rapidly embracing wearable technology as part of their daily lives. Huawei's dominance in China, where it commands more than one-third of the market, coupled with its strategic expansion into regions like Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa, has been instrumental to its success. As the wearables market continues to evolve, maintaining a delicate balance between innovation, affordability, and regional strategy will be essential. Brands that can effectively deliver meaningful health features, stylish designs, and competitive pricing are poised to thrive in this dynamic environment.