Huawei takes the lead in the global wearable market as basic fitness trackers rise in popularity

Huawei has taken the top spot in the global wrist-worn wearable market in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing Apple for the first time. According to IDC’s recent report, the wearable market grew by 10.5% in Q1 2025, with 45.6 million units shipped globally. While smartwatches only saw modest growth, the real story lies in the 34% surge in fitness tracker shipments. A major contributor to this boom is the 37.6% market increase in China, where government subsidies and the national ‘Healthy Weight Management Action’ plan have helped boost sales. Huawei’s success is largely attributed to its HarmonyOS ecosystem and the strong sales of its affordable Band 10. Its premium offerings, like the Huawei Watch 5, also likely helped its performance. Although Apple lost its number one position in the wrist-worn market for the quarter, it recorded its strongest shipment growth since 2023, partly driven by competitive pricing in China and potential tariff concerns. The Chinese market continues to be a driving force, with other brands like Xiaomi and Garmin seeing growth. IDC predicts that China’s wrist-worn market will grow by 36.9% in 2025, further shaping the global wearable landscape.